Prior to 1850 this small building was a spring house. When repaired it was turned into a chapel for a plantation.
In 1865 most of Middleton Plantation was burned by the 56th New York Regiment marching towards Charleston. The chapel remained.
Middleton Plantation, South Carolina.
It’s a little cool in the mornings, by our standards at least. The local flowers seem to like it. The air is still damp, just not high humidity.
Above you can see the trunk of a Bald Cypress, these plants are all growing along the edge of a small pond/swamp.
Charleston, South Carolina.
Photographed on a hill side sloping down towards an old rice field behind Middleton Place plantation. I’m not sure this does the scene justice, big Oaks and Moss are beautiful.
I was hesitant to call this a ‘hill’. We are in the Lowcountry and that means flat, sea level. That said one day I did search for high ground around Charleston. One of the highest is actually right here on this property. It’s a real honest to goodness hill.
Looking across old rice fields from an observation tower, that has seen better days… don’t go to the top.
Off on the horizon is a bend in the Ashley River. Downstream is Drayton Hall plantation, one of the few plantations here not burned in the Civil War. A bit further and the river takes you to Charleston, South Carolina.
There are a few open spots of water, most is now hidden in grass and reeds of different colors. Wildlife in and along the marsh here is amazing in numbers and variety.
This tower is still strong up to the second level. The third is gone now.
The other day we found only one Spoonbill at this pond. But wow, he was really good looking.
Charleston, South Carolina.
The main plantation house at Magnolia Plantation.
I believe the current building dates to the 1870’s. The previous house was burned, along with neighboring Runnymede Plantation, and Middleton by federal troops as they past the Charleston ‘Plantation Row’. Drayton Hall, 5 miles up the row (Ashley River) was ignored due to Yellow Fever being active in the house (or someone smart enough to fly the yellow warning flags out front).
A thought; hardly any plantations look like what we have been shown in the movies for years. The old Hampton Plantation (Santee Delta, SC) comes close. Forest Gump was filmed in several local plantations that come close.
Truth is most plantations either had no buildings being just big rice/cotton fields, or the homes were made of clay bricks. Termites and fires destroyed many homes. Only the wood from Black Cypress was as strong as clay bricks.
Charleston, South Carolina.
Tall Oaks, Cypress, Spanish Moss, and a long pond. Usually there is a ‘head’ floating here somewhere. Not today.
A vine of some type, hanging out over the Duck Weed.
The pink surrounded by a muted green gave a very soft look to the plant. Living here though I’m sure that’s not the case.
