ACE Trail – Colleton County

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area 
Bear Island is located in eastern Colleton County near Green Pond approximately 13 miles from U.S. Highway 17 off of Secondary Road S-15-26 (Bennett’s Point Road). Bear Island is managed to provide quality waterfowl habitat and to protect local endangered and migratory non-game species. Public recreational opportunities are provided for hunting, nature observation and fishing.

 The Bedon-Lucas House Museum

Located in the historic district at 205 Church Street, this 1820’s “high house” was purchased and restored by the Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society. The interior has been preserved and features original heart of pine floors.
BLOG POST

Bee City

Highway 61, Cottageville
(843)835-5912
This honey bee farm, petting zoo, café and gift shop is an experience that all should have. See honey bees at work from a screened observation area. See the Wallabies, Coatimundis, Serval Cats, Cavies as well as many farm animals: Miniature horses and donkeys, turkeys, chickens, quail, pheasants, etc

The Colleton Museum & Farmers Market

506 E Washington Street, Walterboro, (843)549-2303 Tues-Fri, 10 am-5 pm. Sat, 12-4 pm. Located in the Historic District of Downtown Walterboro, the museum features a permanent collection that explores the county’s history from prehistoric times to the early 1900s. The museum also has an ongoing exhibit on “Animals of the ACE,” a natural history display featuring wild animals indigenous to the South Carolina Lowcountry. The museum also features changing art collections monthly. The Colleton Farmers Market offers fresh vegetables and fruits, local honey, local crafts, plants, baked goods, prepared food, music, and much more. The Colleton Farmers Market is open from May through October on Tuesdays from noon-6 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm. In November and December the Market is only open on Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm.

Colleton County Courthouse

101 Hampton Street, Walterboro. Completed
in the fall of 1822, the outside walls are three bricks (28″) thick. The first nullification meeting in South Carolina was held here in 1828, when Robert Barnwell Rhett called for the immediate secession of the state legislature in protest of Federal tax laws. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Donnelly Wildlife Management Area 

With more than 8,000 acres of diverse habitats, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area is a favorite Lowcountry destination for birders looking to run up their list of avian sightings. Located in Green Pond on land once used for rice cultivation, the property features a historic rice field system now managed to attract waterfowl and other migratory birds. Among its impressive resident and visitor population are roseate spoonbills, Eurasian wigeon ducks, red-cockaded woodpeckers, bald eagles, painted buntings and the rare sandhill crane.
BLOG POST

Colleton State Park

A paddler’s paradise, this Lowcountry park sits a short distance from I-95 and connects to Givhans Ferry State Park via 23 miles of blackwater river. Colleton State Park provides easy access to the Edisto River, one of the longest free flowing, blackwater rivers in the country, and serves as the headquarters for the Edisto River canoe and kayak trail.
BLOG POST

Edisto Nature Trail

Hwy 17 Jacksonboro
In addition to local flora and fauna, see historical landmarks such as the King’s Highway, (dating from the 1700’s) former rice fields, and an old phosphate plant site. The Edisto Nature Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail that takes visitors along the Edisto River and through several different types of forests, from maritime to pine.
BLOG POST

Herd it Here Farm

541 Sullivans Ferry Road, Cottageville, (703)597-4839
This is a one-of-a kind agritourism destination that provides an enjoyable and educational experience for visitors of all ages.  Learn about alpacas, silkie chickens, fainting goats, and more.

BLOG POST

Hickory Valley Historic District

Church and Wichman Streets, Walterboro
The Hickory Valley Historic District is comprised of nineteen properties reflecting the diversity of Walterboro’s heritage. The majority of the properties in the district are residences constructed between 1821 and 1929 which includes a concentration of early homes dating from Walterboro’s heyday as a pineland resort village for lowcountry planters. The architectural styles in the district include Federal, Greek Revival, Victorian carpenter, Neo-Classical and Federal Revival. The district is important historically for its associations with Walterboro’s founders as well as with several generations of prominent Walterboro families. Listed in the National Register November 21, 1980.

 Pon Pon Chapel

The Pon Pon Chapel Ruins are situated on what was once the Parkers Ferry Road, 1 mile from SC 64. One of two chapels of ease established by an Act of the General Assembly in 1725 to serve St. Bartholomew’s Parish. This chapel burned in 1801 & 1832. It was known as Burnt Church after 1832. The ruins today are enough to distinguish the chapel’s gracious features.
BLOG POST

South Carolina Artisans Center

334 Wichman Street, Walterboro, (843)549-0011. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm, Sun 1pm-6pm.
The South Carolina Artisans Center is the premier travel destination in the Lowcountry for handcrafted art. Designated by our legislature as the “Official South Carolina Folk Art and Craft Center,” the retail center features the artwork of more than 300 of South Carolina’s finest, juried artists. We invite you to explore our handcrafted art from handpicked artists. See, touch, smell, taste, and shop…Representing over 200 of the State’s finest juried artists and craftsmen, demonstrations & exhibits.

Self-guided Tour of Historic Walterboro

Walterboro, (843)538-4353.
Designed to walk you through a reminiscent portion of  Walterboro’s past blended with the lovely Southern charm of today’s lifestyle. Much  of the grace & charm of the early settlers’ lifestyle remains tangible, as evidenced by  Walterboro’s architectural styles. The city abounds with fine examples of 18th  Century structures. Four buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places,  several more seek registration. Brochures available at the Walterboro Welcome Center.
BLOG POST

Tuskegee Airmen Monument

Lowcountry Regional Airport, Hwy 17-A. During World War II, the Walterboro Army Airfield served as a training ground for the Army airmen including a group of the Tuskegee Airmen. A monument honoring the bravery & dedication of the Tuskegee Airmen was placed in Walterboro Army Airfield Memorial Park at the site of the original airfield in May 1997. This was also the site of a POW camp & base hospital.

Walterboro Library Society Building

803 Wichman Street, Walterboro. Now headquarters of the Colleton County Historical & Preservation Society, the “Little Library” was built in 1820 when the Library Society was established. The small frame building is an excellent example of Federal architecture. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Walterboro National Historic District
Downtown Walterboro
The Walterboro Historic District is a significant collection of properties located near the center of the town of Walterboro. The majority of the properties in the district were constructed between ca.1800 and ca.1945 and represent a wide range of nineteenth and early twentieth century vernacular design. The district is primarily residential in character, but also includes religious, educational, and public buildings. The visual appearance of the district reflects the historical development of the town, which was one of several South Carolina pineland villages settled during the early nineteenth century by planters in search of a healthful climate. Listed in the National Register November 10, 1980.

Walterboro Wildlife Discovery Center

100 S Jefferies Blvd, Walterboro, (843)782-6081
The Walterboro Wildlife Center is an interpretive exhibit hall showcasing the plant and animal life in the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary and the Lowcountry. The 7,000 square foot discovery center coordinates with the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary.
BLOG POST

Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary

Detreville Street, (843)538-4353
Comprised of over 800 acres of braided creek and  hardwood flats. The sanctuary offers an asphalt bike/ walking trail, a canoe/kayak-looped  trail, a beaver pond, a duck pond, a butterfly garden, wildlife food plots, and feeding stations. Bridges, boardwalks, and a natural walking trail,  including a portion of Charleston to Savannah Wagon/Stagecoach Road. A 10,000 square foot Discovery Center is planned. The Sanctuary is open from daylight until dark every day and there is no charge. Information may be obtained by calling (843)549-2545. Free tours – groups welcome.
BLOG POST