Category Archives: Charleston

1850 Plantation Chapel

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.

1850 Plantation Chapel
1850 Plantation Chapel

Middleton Plantation, South Carolina.

Flowers, Found On A Walk

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.

Flowers, Found On A Walk
Flowers, Found On A Walk
Flowers, Found On A Walk
Flowers, Found On A Walk

Above you can see the trunk of a Bald Cypress, these plants are all growing along the edge of a small pond/swamp.

Flowers, Found On A Walk
Flowers, Found On A Walk
Flowers, Found On A Walk
Flowers, Found On A Walk

Charleston, South Carolina.

Sun Through Live Oaks And Spanish Moss

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.

Sun Through Live Oaks And Spanish Moss
Sun Through Live Oaks And Spanish Moss

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.

Marsh Scene, Old Rice Fields

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.

Marsh Scene, Old Rice Fields
Marsh Scene, Old Rice Fields

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.

Marsh Scene, Old Rice Fields
Marsh Scene, Old Rice Fields

This tower is still strong up to the second level. The third is gone now.

Magnolia Plantation House (circa 1870)

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).

Magnolia Plantation House (circa 1870)
Magnolia Plantation House (circa 1870)

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.