What’s Brewing in the Lowcountry?

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Hilton-Head-Brewing-Co-Facebook-3-scaled.jpg.webp
Image found on Hilton Head Brewing Company Facebook page.

Award-winning breweries, distilleries and wineries can be found across our beautiful landscape. Often paired with delicious libations, menus and live entertainment, these local hotspots are great places to relax and enjoy the South Carolina Lowcountry. Visit one, two or make it a challenge to see them all. Whatever you chose, you’re sure to have a good time!

Rotten Little Bastard Distillery is Beaufort’s newest attraction. RLB is a family-owned craft distillery located in Beaufort Town Center, 2139 Boundary St. Take a tour and see how their products are made. Tasting tours are offered every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. The $10 tasting fee includes a souvenir shot glass. After touring and sampling the goodies, head over to the retail store to purchase King Tide Vodka, Saint Helena β€˜Shine Moonshine and Coosa Cur Bourbon. The shop also carries bourbon scented soap and candles, moonshine hand sanitizer, t-shirts and shot glasses and other items. Want to take the chill off?

The RLB Facebook page has a suggestion. To create a hot toddy, mix hot tea with Saint Helena β€˜Shine and add a splash of elderberry syrup. Rumor has it, this is just the thing to take the chill off! Open Wednesdays and Thursdays 1pm-7 & Fridays and Saturdays 11am-7pm.
To tour the distillery, call 843-379-5252 or email rlbdistillery@gmail.com . For more information visit the RLB Facebook page.

Bluffton has three tasting rooms to wet your whistle. Burnt Church Distillery crafts authentic Lowcountry spirits that honor local history and give back to the community. The tasting room is a great space where locals and tourists can learn about distilling and the rich history of the Lowcountry. Their goal is to entertain with legends of folklore, ancient anecdotes, and one-of-a-kind spirits. The distillery is located at 120 Bluffton Road.

Burnt Church Distillery suggests this hot chocolate recipe to sweeten your holiday. Try a Boozy Hot Chocolate. Start by stirring together 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with 1/2 cup sugar and a dash of salt in a medium saucepan. Then, stir in 1/3 cup of boiling water until the sugar dissolves and the cocoa isn’t lumpy. Turn to medium heat and stir in 3 1/2 cups milk to warm. Once warmed, remove from the heat. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 2 tbsp. half and half, and 8 tbsp. bourbon. Top with mini marshmallows. This will either serve four people or four cups just for you. Follow the Burnt Church Distillery Facebook page for fun recipes and opening information

Lot 9 Brewing Company is a nano-brewery in the Lowcountry, devoted to bringing people together for the love of great beer made right. This company is deeply passionate about delivering high-quality brews which celebrate the culture of beer itself.  They also like to have a little fun along the way. Come find your home away from home – your new favorite brew is waiting at Lot 9 Brewing Company. What’s on tap?  Lot 9 Brewing Company is a craft beer test kitchen with a revolving door of styles and flavors. While their tried-and-true favorites are always on tap, there’s always something new and exciting to taste. Need some sustenance to soak up the beer? There’s usually a food truck on location. Check their website for the food truck schedule.

You can find Lot 9 Brewing Company at 258 Red Cedar Street every Thursday & Friday 3 – 9pm, Saturday 12 – 9pm and Sunday 12 – 4pm. You can usually find a fun event happening at Lot 9 Brewing Company, from live music, game tournaments, bring-your-own-dog-nights and Sunday brunch. For more information about events and what’s going on, call (843)757-5689 or visit the Lot 9 Brewing Company Facebook page.
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Southern Barrel Brewing Company is another Bluffton fun spot. At Southern Barrel Brewing Company, you can relax, grab a bite and a brew and just…enjoy. They have combined β€œthe beauty of old with the taste of new”. Visit the bar, beer garden and tavern to enjoy the seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and beer fresh from the brewery. You’ll find core beers, seasonal selections, and limited runs on tap. Outdoor and indoor seating is available. Come for dinner with the family or gather in the beer garden with friends.

Enjoy playing games? Southern Barrel Brewing Company is the place for you! Bingo and Trivia nights are often found on the calendar. Brew-Yoga is another fun event. It is also the home of the Bluffton Artisan Market on Saturday mornings. Southern Barrel Brewing Company is located at 375 Buckwalter Place in Bluffton, and open seven days a week, from 11:30 am – 10 pm. For more information call (843) 837-2337 or visit the Southern Barrel Brewing Company Facebook page.
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Hilton Head Brewing Company is the island’s first brewery. If beer and BBQ is your style, this is the place for you! They also host oyster roasts. Try local favorites including Crab Pilsner, Tropical Lager and J Street IPA. Sample them all and take home a six-pack of your favorite. Owner Juan Brantley is a Hilton Head native. He has a passion for food and micro brews.
Their retail shop is a great place to find goodies like handmade liquid beer soap and apparel

Hilton Head Brewing Company website states quite clearly… β€œCome for the beer, leave with a story”. They are kid-friendly, and reservations are not required. Call 843-715-3251 to find out what’s on tap then visit the Hilton Head Brewing Company Facebook page to check for events and

The Hilton Head Distillery is located just down the street at 14 Cardinal Road. They specialize in fine spirits. They craft premium, small batch rum and vodka by hand. According to their website… β€œWe embrace the idea that enjoying craft spirits is a unique voyage best shared. So, grab your crewmates and join us for a drink or two. We’d love to get to know you!” Roots run deep at Hilton Head Distillery. Their whisky is inspired by the South Carolina mountains and the rum is inspired by its coast.

Tastings are $10 and offered on a first come, first served basis. They are open seven days a week, from noon – 8 pm. Choose any six neat spirits to sample. Spirits come in light, aged and flavored varieties. Be sure to try Whisky Girl Peach, Toasted Coconut Rum and Bananas Foster! Visit the Hilton Head Distillery website to find cocktail recipes to try from their hand-crafted spirits.   The Hilton Head Sunrise looks interestingly delicious. It is made with HHD Toasted Coconut Rum, pineapple, and cranberry juices, with a garnish of pineapple. Yummy! Call (843)686-4443. You can also visit the Hilton Head Distillery Facebook page.

Island Winery sits right next door at 15 Cardinal Road. Come in for wine tastings, then enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. For $8 you can sample up to six wines. There’s plenty of outdoor seating to bring a picnic or cheese board and enjoy your purchases. Enjoy the socially distanced tasting room, scenic patio and large family and pet friendly picnic area. Hilton Head Winery is the island’s premiere winery. All wines are made on Hilton Head. Island Winery specializes in offering a unique selection of wines, wine and cheese pairings and their famous Happy Hour.

Sample old and new world reds, signature whites and unique Lowcountry fruit wines. Current specialty flavors include Southern Passion, Cranberry Sunset and Peach on the Beach. The Apple Cinnamon wine is delicious hot or cold. Their website states, β€œAll of our wines are handcrafted with care in small batches. The grapes arrive fresh at our door from some of the finest wine regions in the world. There is something for everybody’s taste and Island Winery.” Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday, 12:30-5:30 pm and Sunday, 12-4 pm. Call (843)842-3141 to see what’s in stock, or visit the Island Winery Facebook page for more information.

Daufuskie Island is just a stone’s throw across the river from Hilton Head. Hop on the ferry and visit the Daufuskie Island Rum Company. Rum is an island drink and Daufuskie is the perfect place to drink it! They are also distilling vodka and bourbon as well.  Mix the Perfect Summer Cocktail by mixing Hair of the Dog Blueberry Lavender Vodka with lemonade and serve cold over ice.  Looking for something to warm you up? Mix Fuskie Fire Rum with ginger beer and garnish with a lime slice to make a Fuskie Fire Storm.

Set under live oaks drenched in Spanish moss, the Daufuskie Island Rum Company sits at 270 Haig Point Road. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm. Call (843)342-4786, or visit the Daufuskie Rum Company Facebook page for more information.

Daufuskie Island’s Historic Silver Dew Winery is located in a tiny and historic building that dates back to 1883. The building was originally used as the wick house for Bloody Point Lighthouse. The wick house was used to store oil, wicks and the lamp for the lighthouse. In the 1950s the island icon was converted into a winery by the last Bloody Point lighthouse keeper Papy Burn. Β He fermented bananas, plums, grapes, scuppernong, pears, elderberries, and other fruit. Silver Dew winery was mentioned in Pat Conroy’s novel The Water is Wide, which is set on Daufuskie Island and is based on his experiences while teaching on the island.

Silver Dew Winery is located at the southern end of the island near the Bloody Point Lighthouse. Call (843)432-8687 for more information. Wine can be tasted and purchased at the Bloody Point Lighthouse Museum.

Lucky Duck Distillery is conveniently located just off I-95 in Yemassee. This young and energetic team works starts with old recipes and creates new formulas to create naturally flavored moonshine whisky and bourbon.  Come in for a tasting and sample Apple Pie, Apple Vanilla, Cherry, Peach and White Lightening flavors.

All fermenting, distilling, labeling, and bottling is done in small batches on site. Call (843) 812-8337  to schedule a tasting. The distillery is open 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday thru Saturday. Visit Lucky Duck’s Facebook page for information.

River Dog Brewing Company is located in Okatie at 591 Browns Cove Rd N. River Dog Brewing has managed to make a splash in the rising tide of the Southern craft beer scene. They have created an exceptional menu of hand‐crafted, nationally recognized and award‐winning beers. Open from 3-9 pm Tuesday thru Thursday, 3-6 pm Fridays and 12-6 pm on Saturdays, there’s always something tasty on tap.

Try the Riverwalk Empire Pilsner, a light, refreshing, & snappy Pilsner that’s the perfect complement to life here in the Lowcountry. You’ll feel like a million bucks after one or two of these puppies! If you’re a coffee drinker, try a tall glass of Perkolatte. It’s a sweet, rich, and full-bodied coffee milk stout. Visit the Riverdog Brewing Company Facebook page for more information.

For more information on fun things to do in the SC Lowcountry visit https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/.

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Beaufort’s Oyster Festival

Winter is Oyster Season in the SC Lowcountry. Come to the Beaufort Oyster Festival – Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands every January

The shores of the South Carolina Lowcountry are known for their oyster harvests. What would our winters be without a good, old-fashioned oyster roast? Typically, in our neck of the woods, if the month ends in β€œR”, we’re eating our fill of this delicious shellfish. The Beaufort Area Hospitality Association is delighted to host the Beaufort Oyster Festival. This multi-day festival will celebrate all aspects of the Lowcountry and the Carolina Sea Islands oystering culture.

The festival will be held alongside the yearly Tides to Tables event. This is Beaufort’s celebration held in conjunction with South Carolina Restaurant Week. The events will culminate in a weekend of mini-festival events held throughout Beaufort County.

Beaufort Oyster Festival
Photo courtesy of the SC Lowcountry Tourism Commission.

The festival kicks off with the Oyster Festival 5K. The festival is held downtown Beaufort at the waterfront park.

Come share in this family-friendly event that is held every January. Educate yourself on the life cycle of an oyster. Taste oyster dishes and beverages from local food trucks and enjoy the entertainment.  Admission to this event is free, but you must buy tickets to purchase food and other goodies.

Beaufort Oyster Festival
Photo courtesy of the SC Lowcountry Tourism Commission.

Lady’s Island Oyster Company will be on hand to serve single lady oysters. Grab your friends, enjoy the oysters, grab a drink and enjoy the live music. Order Lady’s Island oysters for your next oyster roast.
35 Hutson Drive, Seabrook, (843)473-5018

Beaufort Oyster Festival
Photo by Kelly Yandell.

Magionni Oyster Company will celebrate the tradition of oyster roasts the way the locals do it. This talented family will set up a good old fashioned oyster roast in the waterfront park. When in season, oysters can be purchased at the Port Royal Farmers Market every Saturday, or visit 440 Eddings Point Road, Saint Helena Island, (912)844-1031.

Beaufort Oyster Festival
Photo by SCETV.

Lady’s Island Oyster Inc will also be serving oyster dishes. Their oysters are harvested from their very own hatchery in the Lowcountry. Oysters can be ordered from Lady’s Island Oyster Inc by calling
843-473-5018.

Click the image for more information and updates.
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Ridgeland’s Blue Heron Nature Trail

Interstate weary? This conveniently located nature trail is just what the doctor ordered!

The 10-acre Blue Heron Nature Trail and Learning Center offers relief for the road-weary, and it’s as easy to get to as any rest area. The nature trail is conveniently located at Ridgeland’s I-95, Exit 21.

This in-town green space boasts a nature trail that travels around a three-acre pond and through forested wetlands filled with ferns and native plants. The property also includes a butterfly garden, picnic area, outdoor classroom, observation decks, and a Nature Center. Permanent trailside displays help visitors learn more about the native flora and fauna of Jasper County and the Lowcountry.

Along the trail you will find benches, swings, and an attractive butterfly garden. Be on the look-out for wildlife that frequently stop along the shores of the pond.

In addition to the herons, you may see egrets, ducks, turtles, fish, alligators, and other wildlife. The forest boardwalks take visitors in two different directions so make sure you travel both ways.

The nature trail is open daily dawn to dusk. The Nature Center is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Here you’ll find many displays of animals and other interesting facts about the South Carolina Lowcountry.

There is a parking lot that has plenty of room for a camper. The nature trail is also dog-friendly but be sure to pick up what your furry friend puts down.

Get out of the traffic and spend some quality time wandering around this natural gem located at 321 Bailey Lane in Ridgeland.

All images found on Blue Heron Nature Center Facebook page.

For more information on places to go and things to do in the SC Lowcountry visit https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/

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Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Tradition

β€œGullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish…Freedom Coming”

Beaufort is steeped in tradition and prides itself in its celebrations. Folks from far and wide anticipate the start of the holiday season, celebrating with the Gullah Kinfolk.

The annual Sea Island Christmas Celebration that is a much-loved and anticipated musical and historical event that happens every Christmas.

Master storyteller, Aunt Pearlie Sue and her renown, Gullah Kinfolk take you back in time to the 1860’s Pre- Civil War and Reconstruction Era on a southern plantation on the Sea Islands of Beaufort SC.Β 

The performance includes reminiscings about Mother Africa, the Middle Passage Voyage, the auction block, the last Christmas before the Civil War, December of 1860 to freedom. You get to experience it all.Β 

Abraham Lincoln has just been elected president on November 6th…South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union on December 20th…Masters in the Big House talkin’ War…Servants in the Quarters talkin’ Freedom comin’.

Through soul stirring music, historic re-enactments, and mesmerizing narrations, you are drawn into that Yuletide season of emotions…sorrow, excitement, hope and joy of a brighter future…Gullah Kinfolk Christmas wish…Freedom!

 

“Christmas Dis’ Ain’t Christmas, Wit’out Aunt Pearlie Sue and Gullah Kinfolk. Cum and ‘joy yo’self”

For more information about events in the Lowcountry visit https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/events-calendar/.

All information provided by Anita Prather. All photos courtesy of Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk Facebook page.

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Hollywood Loves the Lowcountry

The South Carolina Lowcountry is a great place to film a movie. The landscape is filled with oak lined alleys, lazy waterways, and charming small towns. Our sub-tropical sea islands are also another well-used place to set a jungle scene. Let’s not forget the beautiful beaches and classically southern architecture. Our chameleon-like environment and mild weather can transport production crews from the South to the Midwest, tropical islands, and even Europe. Let’s take a chronological look at the movies that have been filmed in Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton and Hampton counties.

The Great Santini is a Pat Conroy classic that was filmed in Beaufort. The Meechum family home scenes were shot in the house is known locally as Tidalholm. Many of the military scenes were shot at theΒ Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station. All of the other scenes were filmed in and around Beaufort. Robert Duvall, Blythe Danner and Michael O’Keefe star in this 1979 coming of age drama classic.

Beaufort’s Tidalholm Mansion was also prominently featured in the filmΒ The Big Chill. It is a private home located in downtownΒ Beaufort. The 1983 film includes the talents of Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, Tom Berenger and Jo Beth Williams. Kevin Costner was also cast for the film, but unfortunately the only scenes that made the final cut involved his funeral. Filming sites also included Bay Street and streets along the Point. Tidalholm also serves as a main backdrop inΒ The Great Santini, filmed just a few years earlier in 1979.

Full Metal Jacket was filmed on Parris Island in 1987. The island is home to the training facility of the US Marine Corps. Footage of an actual marine graduation was used in the film. The movie stars Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Pat Conroy’s Prince of Tides was filmed on Fripp Island. Just an island hop-skip-and-a-jump from Beaufort, the beautiful, unspoiled beach made the perfect backdrop for the film. Conroy wrote the book in 1986, while living in Beaufort. The movie was filmed on Fripp in 1991, then in 1992, Conroy moved onto the island. Nick Nolte drives across the Beaufort River in the opening scene of the movie. The private home at 601 Bay Street was used as well. Β Nick Nolte, Barbara Streisand and Blythe Danner star in this Conroy classic.

Forrest Gump may have been set in Greenbow, Alabama, but it was mainly filmed in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Fripp Island, Beaufort, Hunting Island, Varnville, Walterboro, and Yemassee were all sights used in this iconic 1994 movie. Stars Tom Hanks, Robin Right, Sally Field and Gary Sinise travelled between Beaufort, Fripp Island, Varnville, Yemassee and Walterboro to create this American classic film that has left us with enough quotes to last a lifetime.

Disney’s Jungle Book was filmed in the South Carolina Lowcountry. The lush India jungle scenes were shot onΒ Fripp Island, nearly 8,000 miles away from the story’s fictional setting. Locations for the war scenes were destroyed then later developed into aΒ golf course. An abundance of exotic animals were brought onto the island foe filming, including monkeys, elephants and tigers.Β The 1994 movie carried a star-studded cast including Jason Scott Lee, Cary Elwes, Lena Heady, Sam Neill and John Cleese.

The War was filmed in Beaufort in 1994. The movie Stars Kevin Costner, Mare Wittingham and Elijah Wood. The movie follows the family of a Vietnam soldier as he tries to acclimate into his former life after the war. While his children build a treehouse in their small hometown of Juliette, Mississippi, they were actually filming in a Beaufort, SC live oak tree. Fun fact – this is Kevin Costner’s second time to film in the Lowcountry. He was in the cast of the Big Chill. Unfortunately all his scenes, with the exception of his funeral, were cut from the movie. Little did they know that he would become the Hollywood powerhouse that he is today.

King Farm scenes from Something to Talk About were filmed atΒ Davant Plantation, just north ofΒ Ridgeland. Downtown Beaufort was also used for filming the college scenes. The restaurant at 822 Bay Street was used for a scene and many locals were cast as diners. The Beaufort County Library on Scott Street was used extensively during the production. Mobile dressing rooms were parked in the lot and the meeting room was used as well. The intersection of Craven and Scott Streets was a popular spot to try to catch a glimpse of Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Robert Duval, Gena Rowlands, Kyra Sedgewick and the rest of the cast. The film was released in 1995.

Even Jim Carrey and Courtney Cox found their way to the Lowcountry when Ace Ventura was filmed in 1995. Edisto Island’s Botany Bay and Yemassee’s Cherokee Plantation were locations used for the comedy film. Botany Bay was the perfect backdrop to film the tropical jungle and African village scenes. The Georgian mansion of Cherokee Plantation and its manicured gardens served as the setting for the British consulate in Bonai. Fun fact – the president of General Motors, Robert Beverly Evans, once owned Cherokee Plantation and named the Jeep Cherokee after his Lowcountry estate.

Hollywood came to the Lowcountry was once again when the all-star cast, featuring Sharon Stone, Peter Gallagher, Randy Quaid and Rob Morrow visited Beaufort and Ridgeland to film Last Dance. Β The 1996 film captured images of the Castle (411 Craven Street), Hunting Island and the newly constructed state prison in Ridgeland.

Parts of the movie White Squall were filmed in Beaufort. Β The 1996 film stars Jeff Bridges and Caroline Goodall. The production crew transformed 510 Carteret Street, Beaufort, into the movie’s bus terminal. The churchyard of the Parish Church of St. Helena, 501 Church Street, was also used in the movie. The church, built in 1724, is a Beaufort landmark. Other Beaufort film sites included: Murr’s Graphic and Printing, 1012 Boundary Street, the Chocolate Tree, 507 Carteret Street, and areas of Washington Street.

Demi Moore and Viggo Mortensen made their way to the jungles of the Lowcountry in 1997 to film GI Jane. The movie dealt with the extreme physical and mental challenges of training for the elite Navy Seals. Survival camp scenes for this movie were filmed on Harbor and Hunting Islands.

Edisto Island’s Botany Bay was the setting for the beach slave camp in the movie The Patriot. The movie was shot in entirely in South Carolina in 101 days from September of 1999 to January of 2000. Benjamin Martin’s (Mel Gibson) character is loosely based on the legend of South Carolina’s famed “Swamp Fox,”Β Francis Marion. The movie also stars Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs and Joely Richardson.

Forces of Nature made its way along the east coast and filmed in the Lowcountry in 1999. Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock, Maura Tierney and Blythe Danner shot scenes at the Beaufort home at 411 Craven Street. The mansion, commonly known as the Castle served as the Cahill’s house. The stars were guests at the Rhett House Inn during their stay in Beaufort. It’s fun to note that this is the third time that Blythe Tanner was cast as the mother in a movie filmed in Beaufort (Great Santini, Prince of Tides, Forces of Nature).

Rules of Engagement is another movie that was filmed on the South Carolina Lowcountry. Vietnam War scenes from this 2000 film were shot on Hunting Island. The island’s lush, semi-tropical landscape is reminiscent of the Vietnam jungle. The military film stars Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.

Edisto Island’s Brookland Plantation served as the home of Matt Damon’s character in the 2000 movie Baggar Vance. Actors Will Smith and Charlize Theron join the cast with Damon. The movie was also directed by Robert Redford. Golfing scenes were filmed at the Pete Dye course in Bluffton’s Colleton River Plantation.

Inspired by a heart-warming true story, Radio was filmed in and around Walterboro. Many of the 2003 movie scenes were shot at Hampton Street Elementary, which was also a location used inΒ Forrest Gump. Filming also took place atΒ Colleton County High School. Many scenes were shot along Washington Street. The coach’s house is located on just outside Walterboro on Mt. Carmen Road. Radio stars Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ed Harris and Debra Winger.

Cassina Point PlantationΒ onΒ Edisto IslandΒ was a scene from the movie Dear John. This was the site of Savannah’s (Amanda Seyfried) family home. Seyfried and Channing Tatum were filmed there for several scenes in the 2010 motion picture. Both stars shared their thoughts in a www.sciway.net post:
“I love South Carolina,”Β says Channing Tatum.Β “I’m from the South, so I have an addiction with it. The food, the people, the lifestyle. It’s just so charming.”
“The South is a whole different thing altogether. It’s romantic. It’s just so beautiful. It brings something to a film you can’t get anywhere else in the world.” – Amanda Seyfried

More recently Beaufort has been used in the production of the 2019 Netflix hit Outer Banks. While the story line takes place in North Carolina, filming is done in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. While a majority of the scenes were filmed in the Charleston area, Hunting Island plays a prominent roll in the series. The island was the spot for the nighttime beach scenes. And the boneyard beach area was the location for several party scenes. The Hunting Island Lighthouse also makes an appearance while the characters search for clues to a hidden treasure.


Stars Fell on Alabama was filmed in Beaufort and Bluffton in 2019. The romantic comedy was filmed throughout Beaufort, including Bay Street,Β The Beaufort InnΒ andΒ Blackstone’s Cafe. Other locations included Port Royal, Beaufort Academy on Lady’s Island, and theΒ Old Town DispensaryΒ in Bluffton. Β The film is scheduled to premiere in film festivals in the fall of 2020.

To take a movie tour of the Lowcountry visit southcarolinalowcountry.com/beaufort-port-royal-st-helena-tours.

Photo credit for movie scenes: IMDb.

 

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Beaufort’s Highway 21 Drive-In

Watch movies on the big screen at this Lowcountry landmark.

Every spot is a good one at the Highway 21 Drive-in. Photo by Andrew Dishman.

Fall is the perfect season to load the kids and head over to the Beaufort Highway 21 Drive-In. There’s nothing more nostalgic than watching an outdoor movie on one of their two big screens. This Beaufort landmark has been around since 1978.Β  The following decades brought much success for the theater. Beaufort has seen two indoor movie theaters come and go, but the drive-in is still going strong!

Four movies play every weekend. Photo by Brand New Day.

During the 1950’s, there were more than 70 drive-ins located in the state. Presently, there are only three in the state – The Plaza 21 Drive-in Theatre, the Auto Drive-in, and The Monetta Drive-in Theatre. The drive-in was updated to a digital format in 2012. No longer do you need to attach speakers to your open windows. Sound it transmitted by simply tuning into a radio station. FM Radio is used to broadcast the sound for the movies.

Don’t forget the blankets so you can get comfy. Photo by Joe Pigston.

The Highway 21 Drive-In has a 500-car capacity, so don’t worry about finding a place to park. Come early for the best spot. Two, 80-foot screens show double features. During the winter and fall, the Highway 21 Drive-in is generally open Thursday thru Sunday nights. They expand to 7 nights a week during peak spring and summer months. The concession stand menu is rather extensive, offering goodies like hamburger baskets, pulled pork, funnel cakes, root beer floats and, of course – popcorn.Β  If you don’t want to miss too much of the movie, you can place your order online and they will let you know when your goodies are ready for pickup. This is very convenient on busy or cold nights. You can even order your tickets online.

You can order concessions in person or place your order digitally for faster service.
Photo by Dan Reger.

Tips:

Don’t forget to pack blankets, sleeping bags, chairs, and pillows to get comfortable. Sitting outside under the Lowcountry stars is one of the main attractions of the drive-in. If you plan to sit outside your car, it might be a good idea to bring a radio to listen to the sound.

Drive-in movies are meant to be seen with camp chairs, pillows and blankets.
Photo by Scott Parrish.

Another good tip is to know how your lights work and how to turn them off before you get to the drive-in. Most new cars have lights that stay on for certain periods of time after the vehicle is stopped. Others have interior lights that remain on while there is a door or hatch that is open. Make sure to read your vehicle’s manual and know how to turn all of these off once the movie starts.

Truck beds provide optimal accommodations for drive-in movie viewing. Photo by Seth Hansen.

Make sure to bring everything you need for an evening outside. Don’t forget the bug repellant. It’s also a good idea to bring along a sweatshirt in case the weather cools off after sunset. One of the greatest aspects of coming to the drive-in is that you can spend the whole movie socializing with your friends, so pack the car and come on over!

There’s plenty of room to social distance at the Highway 21 Drive-in. Photo by Nathan Evans.

Dress comfortably and take a little idea from my parents (once upon a time, long, long ago) Dress the kiddos in their pajamas, because they’re comfy and, chances are, they’ll be asleep before you get home.

The website contains an endearing message to the patrons of the Hwy 21 Drive-In that’s worth sharing: β€œA big thanks goes out to each and every one of you who have supported the Hwy 21 Drive-In Movie Theater during these tough times (Covid-19). We are pleased to say that because of you, we have been able to keep our doors open and movies playing. Although many upcoming movie releases have been delayed, we will be featuring a variety of old movies, recent movies, and concerts for you all to enjoy on the big screens!”

Make sure to bring your favorite cozy blanket. Photo by Courtney Brockbrader.

Going to the drive-in is it should be a relaxing, fun experience for the entire family. So – get there early, bring plenty of friends, load up on goodies from the concession stand, and enjoy a night under the stars.
Check out theirΒ Facebook pageΒ for more information and notifications regarding upcoming new releases and concerts. Visit the Highway 21 Drive-In Website to see what’s playing, order your tickets and concessions. 55 Parker Dr, Beaufort, SC 29906, (843) 846-4500.

Get there early to grab your favorite viewing spot. Photo by Dan Reger.

For more information on fun things to do in the Lowcountry, visit SouthCarolinaLowcountry.com.

 

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Lowcountry Ghost Stories ~ Part 6

Part 6 – The Blue Lady of Palmetto DunesΒ 

Photo from hiltonheadlighthouse.com.

This Halloween, guests can search for the β€œBlue Lady of Palmetto Dunes” at the recently restored Hilton Head Rear-Range Lighthouse.

Image from Hilton Head Island Rear Range Lighthouse Facebook page. It highlights the recent renovation.

Interest in the Hilton Head Rear-Range Lighthouse has peaked since its renovation in May. Overlooking the Arthur Hills Golf Course in the Leamington community of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the lighthouse is featured on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Inventory of Historic Light Stations.

One of only a handful of surviving lighthouses in South Carolina, the Hilton Head Rear-Range Lighthouse is the island’s only historic lighthouse. Since its recent renovation, the lighthouse has garnered local, regional, national and industry-wide media coverage.Β Β 

Camp McDougal image found on hiltonheadlighthouse.com.

The lighthouse, which originally included a wooden exterior, was deactivated in 1932. During World War II, however, the structure served as an important lookout tower for enemy ships and anchored Camp McDougal, a network of U.S. Marine temporary barracks and ammunition sheds. Gun emplacements and searchlights were established on the nearby beach. Marines were taught to use naval guns, called β€œBig Betsy,” as well as .30 and .50 caliber machine guns, and practiced firing these weapons into the Atlantic.

This Halloween weekend might be the perfect time to visit the Hilton Head Rear-Range Lighthouse, as a number of interesting ghost stories and legends surround the historic structure.

Caroline Fripp grave image found on https://www.mypalmettodunes.com/post/the-blue-lady-of-palmetto-dunes.

In 1898, a major hurricane lashed the South Carolina coast. Determined to keep the light burning, lighthouse keeper Adam Fripp died of a heart attack during the storm. At Fripp’s urging, his 21-year-old daughter, Caroline, kept the navigational light burning. But she passed away a few weeks later from exhaustion and the loss of her father, inspiring haunted sightings of a female ghost in a long blue dress on dark, rainy nights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdRNC2bbMk

Palmetto Dunes recently produced a videoΒ documenting the lighthouse’s spooky past.

Guests who wish to visit the lighthouse should enter Palmetto Dunes and proceed to the resort’s South Gate, where they can request a guest pass. Proceed to the Leamington Gate and turn left onto Leamington Lane to the lighthouse, then park along the roadside. The lighthouse is not open for visitors to view inside or to climb to the top.

For historical photos and documents, an extensive history and information on visiting the Hilton Head’s Rear Range Lighthouse in Palmetto Dunes, visitΒ https://www.hiltonheadlighthouse.com. And join us on Facebook atΒ https://www.facebook.com/thehiltonheadlighthouse.

For more information about ghostly stories in the SC Lowcountry, visit https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/blog/.

This story was written by Martin Armes of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

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Lowcountry Ghost Stories ~ Part 5

Part 5 – Jasper County

Jasper County has seen its share of battles over the years. First the Revolutionary War, then the Civil War took its toll on the county. The story of Purrysburg predates both historic events. The settlement of Purrysburg was established on the banks of the Savannah River by Swiss Protestants in 1734. By 1736, the town had 100 houses and 450 settlers. The town soon began to suffer from disease and unhealthy conditions. Those that survived moved on to other surrounding towns in the state and Savannah.

The town would once again see activity in 1779, when it was the site of the Battle of Purrysburg during the Revolutionary War. A 2015 excavation unearthed more than 100 musket balls, several canister shots, and many explosive shells. The battle was a British victory, but the American Patriots fought them off for one year in several skirmishes across the Lowcountry, including Bees Creek and Coosawhatchie. British troops returned to Purrysburg to rest before heading to Charleston. The Patriots were not captured. In fact, they were able to get word to other troops of the British advancement. Today, Purrysburg is the site of a boat landing. The only thing that reminds of the settlement of long ago is a historic monument. Just how many settlers and soldiers died on this spot is unknown. Do any ghostly specters haunt these grounds? If one believes in such things, one will have to admit the possibility.

The city of Hardeeville began to develop and flourish just as the Civil War came to town. During Sherman’s March to the Sea, his army blazed a trail through the town, leaving only one church and a few homes. The Hardeeville Methodist Church was spared because it served as a make-shift hospital for injured soldiers. How many soldiers died in this church? That is unknown. Do any souls haunt the grounds? That is unclear as well. You be the judge of that.

Ridgeland also experienced a visit from Sherman’s men. The Battle of Honey Hill was fought in 1864, and Union soldiers spent time in the Grahamville community. Officers stayed in a home on Bees Creek Road and used the Holy Trinity Church as headquarters. The Union army expedition failed to cut off the railroad between Charleston and Savannah. The battle saw 89 Union and eight Confederate casualties. Although the battle was a Confederate victory, it only delayed the capture of Savannah by a week. The battle was also significant because it was the first large scale combat engagement by a majority African American force. It was launched by the US African American Troops, including the 54th Massachusetts. After the war, these troops were stationed in Port Royal during Reconstruction.


Just outside Yemassee, Frampton House is nestled under ancient live oaks, dripping in Spanish moss. It is also the home of a few ghostly residents. It is said that the Frampton House has a few residents who have not moved on from this physical world into the afterlife. The house and surrounding land have witnessed a great deal of history and some of those souls may not be ready to leave just yet.

The Frampton name dates back to the 1700s, when thousands of acres were given as a King’s Land Grant to the Frampton family. It was divided into working plantations. During the Civil War, Robert E Lee commissioned earthworks built directly behind the house. This is a spot that was used to successfully (for a time) defend the railroad. In 1865 Union troops burned the original plantation home and the surrounding buildings. Frampton returned in 1868 and built the structure that still stands today. After seeing many owners and falling into disrepair, the house was acquired by the Lowcountry Tourism Commission in 1993.

Today visitors to the house report feeling a ghostly presence. Some have encountered an old woman in the front parlor. Others say they have seen a small girl on the stairs. Stop by and see for yourself so you can draw your own conclusions. The house is open daily, from 8:30 am – 5 pm. Stop by and wander the house and grounds. Have an open mind and see if you can discover one of the spirits that roam the property.

Ghost stories are a part of the Lowcountry folklore. They are woven into our history and have been passed down through generations by elders sitting on the front porch, rocking, and enjoying sweet tea. They are the stories that children love to hear repeatedly. They are best told after dark, especially during the Halloween season. Are they true? Who knows? Can they be debunked? Who cares? Are we going to keep telling them? Of course. Are we going to enjoy the telling? Absolutely!

Three ghostly images were altered for your enjoyment! Did you find them? Happy Halloween!

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Lowcountry Ghost Stories ~ Part 4

Part 4 – Hampton

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Hampton POW Camp image from SC Archives.

Did you know Hampton was once the sight of a German Prisoner of War campsite??? Several POW camps were established in South Carolina during World War II. In 1942 America found itself the captor of 275,000 German and Italian soldiers. They were put to work on farms across the south. Hampton’s POW Camp was in operation from 1943-1946. 250 prisoners captured from North Africa were held here. POWs lived in tents with wooden floors or wooden barracks. The Hampton Armory was located across the street and housed the US Army officers in charge of the camp. POWs worked 8-10-hour days harvesting peanuts, cutting pulpwood or at the Plywoods-Plastics Corporation. They were paid 25 to 80 cents a day in script which they spent in the camp store.

lowcountry sc ghost stories

Several prisoner-of-war camps were established in South Carolina to house captured Germans. This is the street of a camp in Hampton, photographed around 1944. Courtesy of Mildred B. Rivers.

Over the three years of activity at the camp, prisoners captured in Italy and France were brought to Hampton. The only thing remaining of the camp today is a historical marker that marks the spot. One must wonder if any of the souls who died here roam the grounds of Hampton, looking for a way home???

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Hampton County Museum at the Old Jail image by Carmen Pinckney.

Hampton is home to another particularly eerie building. The Hampton County Jail was built in 1878 to house inmates while they awaited trail. Those accommodated here were only supposed to be guests of the facility for 48 hours or less. Many unfortunate souls were forced to stay in the cramped and inhumane building for much longer.

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Hampton County Jail image from SC Archives.

The first floor served as living quarters for the jailer and his family, along with one cell that was reserved for white women. In the 1960s, two rooms were converted into four cells to accommodate more β€œguests”.

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Hampton County Jail image from SC Archives.

The heavily reinforced upstairs was reserved for all other visitors. Seven cells occupied this floor, all sharing the same latrine. Although the ceilings were ten feet high, the cage containing the prisoners was only seven feet. In the 1960s, the cells were divided into more cells.

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Hampton County Jail image from SC Archives.

According to a 1916 report from the State Board of Charities and Corrections, the conditions at this jail were very unsanitary. The building had very poor ventilation and the floors were only cleaned three times a year. Inmates with tuberculosis and syphilis shared quarters, bedding and eating utensils with healthy cellmates. Bed linens were only washed once or twice a year. One prisoner froze to death while incarcerated. By 1919 the jail was rated as the worst jail in the state. A new jail was built in 1976 and this building would no longer be used to hold prisoners. Today it houses the Hampton County Museum. If you’re brave, go visit the old jail and see if you can run across the spirit of the poor soul that froze to death in his jail cell.

Thankfully, today is a new day and things like this don’t happen very often in the modern world. Humanity has come a long way. There’s nothing left of the POW camps and the Old Jail is now a museum. You can visit… if you dare!

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Lowcountry Ghost Stories ~ Part 3

Part 3 – Colleton County

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Jacksonboro Light image created by Carmen Pinckney.

Beaufort isn’t the only Lowcountry town with a famous light. The Jacksonboro Light is a scary destination east of Walterboro. A drive down Parker’s Ferry Road is an experience that most local teens make multiple times on dark, spooky evenings. Here’s the story of the Jacksonboro Light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQzvdsDJELI

Long ago, the young daughter of the local preacher went missing along Parkers Ferry Road. Β Her father searched throughout the night, using a lantern for light. Some say he was struck and killed by a car. Others report he was hit by a train. To this day, his form can be seen wandering along the dark and desolate road, swinging the lantern, and looking for his daughter. Locals claim if you park along the road and flash your headlights five times, you will hear the distant sound of a train and his ghostly lantern will appear from the darkness.

 

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Cottageville Cemetery image created by Carmen Pinckney.

Cottageville is a tiny town in Colleton County that lies on HWY 17-A. The community cemetery is reported to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the state. It was built on donated land and bodies were moved here in the 1880s. Others were added over the years. The oldest remains and tombstone that was moved to the cemetery belong to Daisy Eleanor Ackerman, who was butted to death by a goat when she was just an infant. According to legend, if you drive around the cemetery three times, then park in the middle and flash your lights three times, you will awaken the dead. Ghostly figures will crawl from the earth and roam throughout the hallowed grounds.

lowcountry sc ghost stories

Edisto Island is home to one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in the country. Established in 1685, the churchyard is home to some very historic graves dating as far back as 1787. The church building that is in use today was constructed in 1831. Union troops occupied the island during the Civil War, forcing residents to flee. The Freedmen remained on the island and used the church during Reconstruction.

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Legare Mausoleum image by Carmen Pinckney.

The church graveyard contains the Legare Mausoleum. Visitors will notice that the beautiful final resting place is missing its door. That’s because the ghost that haunts the cemetery won’t leave the door alone!

lowcountry sc ghost stories
Legare Mausoleum image by Jessie Pinckney Webster.

Julia Seabrook Legare died in 1852 at the tender age of 23. Wife of John Berwick Legare and mother to Hugh, Julia was the first to be buried in the family crypt. She succumbed to a feverous diphtheria and was pronounced dead by the family physician. Julia was placed in the mausoleum and sealed inside behind a marble door. Tragically, her six-year-old son Hugh died two years later in 1854. When the door was opened, Julia’s body was found by the mausoleum door, having woken up from a deep coma. It was discovered that she died a second time trying to scratch her way out. After the horrific discovery was made, family members reburied her and once again sealed the door shut. The next morning the door was found open again. This happened several more times before the family, realizing it was Julia’s spirit opening the door, decided to leave the crypt open. By 1856, John died and joined his family in the crypt.

Legare Mausoleum image by Carmen Pinckney.

Several methods were used over time to try to secure the door before the family finally gave up. Chains, locks, bricks and concrete were used, but the ghost of Julia would not let the door remain closed. Some believe Julia is standing guard, making sure no other family member is buried alive.


Four ghostly images were altered for your enjoyment! Did you find them? Happy Halloween! Stay tuned for the fourth installment of the Lowcountry Ghost Stories. Up next Hampton!

 

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The Lowcountry & Resort Islands Region of South Carolina includes the four, southern-most counties in the state, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton, which are bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Savannah River and the state of Georgia.

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