Little known Facts of Mount Pleasant SC

 

Think You Know Mount Pleasant? 5 Surprising Facts About Its Hidden History

We all know the Mount Pleasant of today: the stunning Ravenel Bridge, the bustling restaurants on Shem Creek, and the easy-going gateway to the beaches. But beneath the surface of this modern coastal town lies a deep and fascinating history that many residents and visitors drive past every day without a second thought.

Here are five little-known facts that will make you see Mount Pleasant in a whole new light.

1. It Wasn’t Always "Mount Pleasant"

The town's charming name wasn't chosen by a committee. It was adopted from a single plantation of the same name, owned by Jacob Motte in the 18th century. Before this name became official in 1837, the area was known by several different names, including "North Point."

2. The Old Village Was Charleston's First "Summer Suburb"

Long before it was a year-round residential neighborhood, the Old Village was a seasonal retreat for wealthy Charlestonians. Starting in the late 1700s, plantation owners and merchants built summer homes "East of the Cooper" to escape the oppressive heat and rampant disease of the dense city during the warmer months, making it one of the area's very first suburbs.

3. It's Home to One of the First Self-Governing Black Communities

Tucked away in the Remley's Point area is Scanlonville, a historically significant community founded in 1868. Established by Robert Scanlon, a freedman and carpenter, it was one of the first self-governing Black communities in the entire South. Freed slaves pooled their resources to purchase lots, creating a thriving, independent town that stands today as a testament to their resilience and vision.

4. The Pitt Street Bridge Was a Trolley Line

That beautiful, peaceful pier at the end of the Old Village was once a bustling hub of transportation. Before the Ben Sawyer Bridge existed, a rickety wooden bridge and later, a trolley line, connected Mount Pleasant to Sullivan's Island. From 1898 until the 1920s, the Charleston and Seashore Railroad Company ran a trolley service across the water, bringing beach-goers to the island. When you walk the pier today, you're tracing the same path as those early 20th-century vacationers.

5. It Was a Critical Revolutionary War Headquarters

The oldest home in Mount Pleasant, the Hibben House (c. 1755) on Hibben Street, played a direct role in the American Revolution. During the war, it served as the headquarters for General William Moultrie, the commander of the American forces at the pivotal Battle of Sullivan's Island. This quiet, unassuming home was once a command center for a battle that helped shape the nation's future.

Next time you're in town, take a closer look. You're surrounded by a history that’s much deeper and more surprising than you ever imagined.

#MountPleasantSC #LowcountryHistory #Charleston #SecretHistory #DidYouKnow #ExploreCharleston #OldVillageMP #SC 

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