Charles Towne Landing

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Coordinates: 32°48′27″N 79°59′13″W / 32.80750°N 79.98694°W / 32.80750; -79.98694
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Site of Old Charles Towne
Cabin at Charles Towne Landing, August 2016
Charles Towne Landing is located in South Carolina
Charles Towne Landing
Location in South Carolina
Charles Towne Landing is located in the United States
Charles Towne Landing
Location in United States
Location1500 Old Towne Road
Nearest cityCharleston, South Carolina
Coordinates32°48′27″N 79°59′13″W / 32.80750°N 79.98694°W / 32.80750; -79.98694
Area184 acres (74 ha)
Built1670
NRHP reference No.69000162[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 17, 1969

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina preserves the original site of the first permanent English settlement in Carolina.[2][3] Originally opened in 1970 to commemorate South Carolina's tricentennial, this 664-acre (269 ha) site is home to an exhibit hall, rental facility, a natural habitat zoo, ongoing archeological excavations, miles of trails, dozens of picnic tables, a replica tall ship, six fireable replica cannon, and much more.

The Tricentennial Commission selected Corkern and Wiggins of Hilton Head, South Carolina in 1968 to design the exhibition pavilion at the site.[4] When public comments criticized a drawing of the proposed pavillon, a member of the Tricentennial Commission released a second drawing that, he claimed, would better present the structure; he noted also that the pavilion would be built near the location of the Old Town egg factory and not on the site of the Waring gardens.[5] Many delays pushed the opening of the pavillion past the opening of the park itself.[6] Problems with the roof of the pavilion were more complicated to fix than expected, and the discussion with the contractor and engineers over repairs continued into June 1970.[7] Plans were finally agreed upon to reinforce the roof with additional columns.[8] The pavilion eventually opened on July 16, 1970.[9] During Hurricane Hugo, the pavilion was damaged and never repaired; permission to demolish the pavilion (and other park buildings) was granted in November 2002.[10]

Living history[edit]

Experimental Crop Garden[edit]

The Experimental Crop Garden showcases crops planted by early colonists for food and profit. While offerings vary seasonally, sugarcane and indigo, two attempted cash crops, are frequently visible.

Adventure[edit]

Adventure, August 2016

Adventure is a replica of a ketch, a popular style of 17th-century cargo vessel. Similar ships carried commercial goods, foodstuffs, and even livestock between New York, Barbados, and everywhere in between. Renowned 20th century naval architect and historian William Avery Baker designed Adventure in 1969. The first Adventure served Charles Towne Landing from 1970 until 2004. The second Adventure was constructed in 2008 by Rockport Marine in Maine and sailed to Charles Towne Landing in October, 2008.

Fortified area[edit]

The Fortified Area of the site is bounded by a reconstructed palisade wall. Colonists constructed the original palisade wall to defend the young colony from a land-side attack from the Spanish. The Fortified Area also contains reconstructed earthwork fortifications and six replica cannon. The colonists mounted a battery of cannon facing the Ashley River, and a second battery defended Towne Creek (present day Old Towne Creek). Both the palisade wall and earthwork fortifications are both partially reconstructed on their archeological footprint.

Animal forest[edit]

The Animal Forest, a natural habitat zoo, is home to species indigenous to Carolina in the 1670s. Some of these animals, such as puma and bison, are no longer native to the South Carolina Low Country. Animals at the zoo include:[11][12]

Birds[edit]

Mammals[edit]

Black bear at the Charles Towne Landing's animal forest, March 2019

Archaeology[edit]

Archaeological finds include Native American, English, and African artifacts. Professional archeology at the site began in 1967, and continues through the present day.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Lister, Mrs. Toney J. (June 16, 1969). "Site of Old Charles Towne" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  3. ^ "Site of Old Charles Towne, Charleston County (Albemarle Point, Charleston vicinity)". National Register Properties in South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  4. ^ Williams, Barbara S. (June 29, 1968). "Architects Named for Tricentennial". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. B1.
  5. ^ "Color Rendering Completed of Pavilion at Old Town". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. May 14, 1969. p. 1B.
  6. ^ Hunter, Charles (April 7, 1970). "Pavillion Erectors Given Ultimatum". Evening Post. p. 1B.
  7. ^ "Pavilion Opening Still Up in the Air". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. June 12, 1970. p. 1B.
  8. ^ Williams, Barbara S. (June 27, 1970). "Firm to Finish Pavilion in Three Weeks". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. 1B.
  9. ^ "Controversial Pavilion Officially Opens". Evening Post. Charleston, South Carolina. July 16, 1970. pp. 1B.
  10. ^ Hardin, Justin (November 14, 2002). "Parks Gets OK to Demolish Buildings". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. B1.
  11. ^ "The Animals". Archived from the original on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  12. ^ Mueller, Laura (July 19, 2013). "Red Wolves Introduced to Charles Towne Landing Animal Forest". Retrieved 23 June 2012.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

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