Old Santee Canal Park

Location: 900 Stony Landing RD Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone: (843) 899-5200 

If ever in the Moncks Corner, SC area, one spot you sure don't want to pass the opportunity to visit, is Old Santee Canal Park. The Santee Canal was established in the 1800, and hold the crown of being the first true canal built in America.  The canal served as a rout of trade along the Cooper River to Charleston, SC. 

The natural beauty of the park can be seen across the 4 miles of boardwalks through the wetlands surrounding the area which is home to many species of wildlife.  The main interpretive center museum displays the natural and rich culture that was found on the historic Stony Landing Plantation.  Also, the property is home to a plantation house that was built in the 19th century.

There is a small fee to visit the site during its operating hours during the day throughout the week and weekends.  There are also many events throughout the year hosted on the property.  A few events are as follows, Shuckin' in the Park Oyster Roast, Berkeley County Kids Who Care Project Competition, and Berkeley County Birdhouse Building Contest.

Photo Creds to http://visitberkeleycounty.com

 

                                                                                     

Wampee Plantation

Wampee Plantation

•       Location: Pinopolis, South Carolina

•      Est: 1822

Another unique piece of history in Berkley County can be found in the back yard of the small community of Pinopolis, SC.  With the plantation home being built in 1822 it has endured the Civil War and the creation of Lake Moultrie.  The house was originally constructed on a 1000 acre grant along with a few other plantation homes that were victims to the extreme flooding of Pinopolis with the development of Santee Cooper hydroelectric power plant that generates power across the coast.

A large amount of renovation has been done to the house since originally being built.  The house along with the property surrounding has exchange hands of ownership over the years and is currently owned by Santee Cooper and used a conference center for the company.

Interesting enough rumors of many believe the Wampee house to be most haunted place in Berkley County.  Ghost Hunters of Charleston conducted a study of a couple nights while on the property but little was discovered to make fact of the rumors over the years by residents who were allowed to stay in the house from time to time.

Berkley County History

If you are ever planning a trip to South Carolina for any particular reason, I would especially urge you to stop and visit historical sites Berkley County.  Berkley County, located in the lower state of South Carolina is home to many historical venues that plunder deep into the rich history of the state.  Growing up in Huger, SC I have had the chance to visit nearly all marked historical sites in the Berkley County area.

Pompion Hill Chapel

• Location: Huger, SC Hwy 41 and 402

• Architectural Style: Georgian

• Established: 1763

 Pompion Hill Chapel gracefully overlooks the Cooper River.  The chapel was the second built on the site which served as a place of worship for Anglican descendants during the 1700's.  All exterior masonry resembles a Flemish bond pattern.  The interior woodwork is still all original which makes the preservation of the chapel outstanding and unique to have lasted thus far.  The name of the chapel is sometimes pronounced Pumpkin.  This is due to the fact that Berkley County earliest settlers were Huguenots, and pompion is an old French word for pumpkin.  Today the site is used largely for weddings and events of that sort.

                                     Photo credited to South Carolina's Information Highway