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| Debbie, our tour guide, driving the horse in the front, down a street with low hanging trees and moss. |
Fact #1: Beaufort, now, and even since pre-Revolutionary War times, has the second deepest harbor on the U.S. east coast. It was of immense strategic value in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Early in the Civil War, the Union forces (North) captured Beaufort and used it as their base to fight against the South. Later in the Civil War, Beaufort was used as a hospital for the 10,000 Union troops stationed there.
Fact #2: In the period just before the Civil War, South Carolina had more millionaires than any other state in the country.
The old homes and churches were architecturally beautiful and interesting; many were hidden behind a curtain of palm trees and moss. Debbie told us many tales passed down through the years such as, "One man asked a beautiful woman to be his wife. She said she would marry the man who built her the biggest house. So he did. And she married him. Then she told him she wanted a garden. He built one. But she wanted a larger garden. He built her a very large garden. She told him the house was too far away. Then he built her a house nearer to the garden. . ."
In one mansion, the wife didn't want the husband and his friends to drink whiskey. She went away to England for a while and he was supposed to buy the furniture and finish the walls of the new house. He bought the furniture and built hidden cabinets in the walls for his whiskey. It was not found until the house was restored 30 years ago! (true story by Debbie).
Some of the ante-bellum (pre-Civil War) mansions. Most are single-family homes. Some are open as bed-and-breakfasts. Several are open for tours.
It's quite amazing how some of the oldest trees have grown long roots above ground.
This is the Baptist Church where Robert Small, first African-American U.S. Senator worshiped. He served six terms; his first term was PRE-Civil War. Senator Small introduced public education into the country by legislation.
Some cities have cows, some have horses (Lexington, KY), Beaufort has Mermaids here and there posted around the city.
After the tour, Peggy and I ate at Plum's restaurant. This is the view of the Beaufort River from the restaurant.
The large and impressive St. Helena Anglican Church, begun in 1712. It seemed as though every square inch of yard was devoted to graves.
The interior, altar area of St. Helena's church.
The pews in St. Helena's were built 6 to 8 inches above the floor. The guide told us that when it was built, "There was no heating. Families would bring boxes of hot coals in the winters and put them on the floor where they sat. The elevated pews enabled the carbon monoxide gas, which was heavier than air, from the burning coals, to sink to the floor and be drawn out the back door which was cracked open slightly."
After St. Helena's, Peggy and I drove over to the "Chocolate Tree," a candy store. We were given a free chocolate sea star and chose some fudge and chocolate candy. I found a pretty green alligator (stuffed!) to add to my collection of small sea animals (stuffed!). Note: I'll try not to be fixated on alligators during the rest of this Winter Escape!
We hurried in time for the last tour of the John Mark Verdier House Museum on Bay Street. The family was instrumental in the commerce and politics of Beaufort and South Carolina. The house was solidly built, ornately ornamented, and served as a family home and also as places of business.
Displayed in the Verdier House, the was the last official Confederate Flag chosen several months before surrender to the Union. The red section on the right was added because "when the previous flag draped, all you could see was the white and it looked like surrender."
Peggy and I had promised to meet her Michigan friend, Joyce, and Joyce's daughter, Sheila, at Hilton Head Island's Jazz Corner restaurant for dinner and live music. We got back in town after the drive of one hour just in time to get ready and go! We were treated to an evening of outstanding food, heartwarming Jazz/Blues music and friendly conversation. We sat directly in front of the stage. A lovely end to a busy day! We four agreed to meet soon on the beach. I showed them the photo of the colorful kite on the beach we saw yesterday, and Sheila showed us her photo of the very large Alligator she saw while golfing earlier today. (Now I promise not to be fixated on alligators!)
New Friends: in front, Left: Sheila, Right, Joyce. In back, Left, Peggy, Right, Jan.
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