South Carolina

South Carolina encompasses an area from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The state shares history with surrounding states that were explored by the Spaniards beginning in the early 1500's. During this time several forts were built and eventually abandoned due to repeated attacks by the Native Americans. The first English settlement was established in 1670 and South Carolina was on her way to becoming a royal province.

Rice and indigo made the planters and merchants of the low country of South Carolina some of the wealthiest by the 1750's. Migration into the area from surrounding states gave the upland country smaller farms and a large white majority. However, the growth of cotton plantations soon made African-American slaves the majority.

South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788, and was the first to secede from the Union in 1860. The first shots of the Civil War were fired in Charleston Harbor in April of 1861. One fifth of South Carolina's men were sacrificed during the war and General Sherman's march through the state at the end of the war left a trail of destruction that would leave the state poverty stricken for generations.

The textile industry in the 1890's would bring recovery to the state until the boll weevil gave the Great Depression a head start in the state during the 1920's. The poverty and racial practices of the state would cause many African Americans to move to the northern part of the country. During World War II military bases along with investments in manufacturing by both domestic and foreign businesses would help revitalize South Carolina's poor economy.

The rich and emotional history of the state makes it an educational and worthwhile stop for any visitor. Charleston's history, culture and traditions come together to make a tour of the city an experience to remember. Tours may be taken by bus where visitors may view the plantations, homes, churches, museums and galleries and forts. There are also tours to some of the plantations where visitors can step back in history and see what life was like then. Stop by Catfish Row and see the setting for "Porgy & Bess" or visit Charleston's historic market area and watch basket makers at work.

The Abbeville Opera House in the western part of the state was a center of activity for many "road companies" that toured from New York to Atlanta. The theater was in its prime from 1908 to 1913. The theater offered a variety of performances, including one that use a complete troop of cavalry horses. Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, an opera production of "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs", and even Jimmy Durante were featured at the opera house. The theater is still in use and uses the same rigging system that was used in 1908.

The Four Holes Swamp contains the largest remaining stand of virgin Bald Cypress/Tupelo Gum swamp forest anywhere in the world. Trees a thousand years old are home to native wildlife in a pristine environment that has been untouched for a millennia. There is a 1.75 mile self-guided boardwalk that allows visitors a chance to venture into this wilderness. The boardwalk is handicap accessible. There are also canoe trips and guided walks available.

Want to speed things up a little? How about the BMW museum. It's the only one in the United States and sits next to the only BMW manufacturing plant in the states. Visitors can enjoy the museum, cafe and gift shop but one of the most entertaining exhibits is the 17 minute virtual tour of the manufacturing process as seen as if you were the car. There is a car collection that features the Z3 roadster that James Bond drove in one of the movies and several concept cars.

Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach are two other stopping places to enjoy during a stay in South Carolina. Both feature waterfront dining, theaters, shops by the dozens, cruises, aquariums, an IMAX theater and entertainment for the entire family.

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