Mount Pleasant played a key role in the defense of the Charleston Harbor. A battery, built in Mount Pleasant in 1775, protected the waterway and allowed for the construction of Fort Moultrie. The areas along Mathis Ferry, Hwy 17, and Shem Creek had shipyards, powder magazines, and places for British prisoners. The Hibben House, now the oldest home in Mount Pleasant, housed General William Moultrie and other officers during and after the war. Did you know that South Carolina had the most…

With the growth of Mount Pleasant in recent years, it has become increasingly important to prioritize and pay special attention to the preservation and promotion of African-American history and culture. Some of these historical and cultural sites have been compiled into a driving tour.

By 1872, several settlements which had developed along Charleston Harbor, were incorporated as the Town of Mount Pleasant. The earliest hamlet was Greenwich Village (1766), followed by the Hibben Ferry Tract (1770), Mount Pleasant Plantation (1808), Hilliardsville (1847), and Lucasville (1853). The Old Village was bounded by Shem Creek, Simmons Street, Cove Inlet and the Harbor. This tour explores several of the historical sites located within these original settlements.

Industry and commerce in the area began with the Native American Indians. Mount Pleasant industry, mostly based on brickmaking, timber, and livestock, grew and changed over time. The invention of the tidal rice mill in Mount Pleasant revolutionized rice for the colonies. While rice was not a large industry in Mount Pleasant, these mills were sold to different colonies, many that can still be seen along the Georgia coast today. Shipyards on Hobcaw Creek were a major industry until 1831. Following…

Bridges are a very important part of Mount Pleasant life today. Before 1929, people had to depend on ferries to take them from Mount Pleasant to Charleston. This tour shows the history of the bridges from Mount Pleasant to Charleston and the historical sites around the Ravenel Bridge.