History | South Carolina News

History Discovered: Charleston

Cradled on South Carolina’s eastern curve — carved from a network of rivers and peninsular tides — is Charleston. This charming city (which boasts colonial architecture and a harbor history) was established in 1770. Its conception echoes the evolution of America, with explorers seeking its diverse geography and consistent climate. Progress was common within the streets; and the area quickly became the most noted trade center of its time. Ships flocked to its ports, bringing influences from all over the world.

And these influences are seen still today — chronicled in the Charleston Museum.

Began in 1773, the Charleston Museum is the first of its kind within the United States. It was founded as a way to capture the changes that were occurring throughout the country (as well to offer credence to the area, branding it as more than a mere colony); and its displays now detail centuries of information.

Guests entering the museum will be greeted by diversity. Lowcountry History Hall explains the origins of Charleston, providing glimpses into Native American lives, as well as its original English settlers. The Armory offers an astounding collection of weapons and military strategies. The Civil War: City Under Siege area examines the causes of the country’s most tragic years. The Loeblein Gallery of Charleston Silver boasts impeccable examples of local craftsmanship. And the Kidstory Gallery allows children of all ages to play among the past (interactive exhibits, educational workshops and more are available).

Through the Charleston Museum individuals can experience the world as it was — and as it will possibly become. It’s a can’t-miss attraction: one of many found within the city.

Filed Under: Entertainment, History Tagged With: Charleston South Carolina, South Carolina, United States

Crime And Human Society

Crime and society have an age old relationship. Crime is the phenomenon that keeps our society vigilant about the several antisocial elements. There are several kinds of crimes happening every day around us. There are some that we take note of, while others go unnoticed. Members of the society and criminals are not far away from each other. Even criminals are a part of the society and happen to live side by side. There are times when certain respectable members of the society turn into criminals. There are several causes for people committing crime.

During war, famines and economic depressions, the rate of crime are on a surge. There is very little money in hands of people and they are ready to do anything to have more. When begging and borrowing do not work, people take up stealing. Robbery is one of the most infamous crimes in the human society. Right from looting banks and museums to looting people’s houses, all comes under robbery. Robbers are people like us and they take up stealing thing in order to satisfy their needs and demands.

Crimes against women and children are also very common in the society. Trafficking of women and children is seen across several nations and cultures. Forced labor, sex trade and slavery are all banned by legal government of several nations, but are very heinous forms of crime. Sale and supply of drugs is also very common in the western nations. Many of these drug sellers belong to nations like Afghanistan. These drug peddlers sell and supply drugs to youth and collect war money against the western world.

It is very easy to be a part of the crime and continue with it but it is important for us to think about the consequences of our actions. Criminals must realize what they giving to the society and gaining for them.

Filed Under: Entertainment, History Tagged With: Afghanistan, United States, Youth

South Carolina: The Way It Was

: Image via Wikipedia

Remembering where you came from is important before ever knowing who you are and where you’re heading. That’s history. And every American needs to know about his or her American History–from the Revolution to the Persian Gulf War, without a doubt.

Particularly in South Carolina, history decorates that part of the original American nation with some of the accented events during the Revolution and the Civil War. From the very beginning, this is how it all started….

In 1521, the Spaniard Francisco de Gordillo explored the coast which would later be called “Carolina” to establish (however, failingly) a colony near present-day Georgetown in 1526. Furthermore, the French weren’t lucky to hit the ground either at Parris Island near Fort Royal in 1562. It was only on 1670 that the English settled at Albemarle Point on the Ashley River, but remarkably poor conditions struck them enough to move them toward the future site of Charleston, originally titled “Charles Town”.

After the Revolution, the state of Carolina, which was mostly the center of military action between colonists and British, split into two–”North Carolina” and “South Carolina”, one of three splits, the other two being Virginia (Virginia and West Virginia) and the Dakotas (North and South). That was the year of 1729. Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor was the cornerstone of the Civil War when confederates fired on the stronghold, effectively–at least to some historians, regarded as true–beginning the American Civil War. South Carolina was actually the first state to secede from the Union, creating the great divide in a nation already shadowed by so much history in so little time.

Whenever you walk through the lands deep in South Carolina, remember the history. Remember the lessons learned. Many soldiers in our American history died right under your feet. And that is what shapes your life today, is the history of souls passed on to fight for the movement of a great nation, the United States of America.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Fort Sumter, South Carolina, United States

A Modern-Day “Jurassic Park”

: Cover via Amazon

Everyone loves a good zoo. Even aquariums are fun, if you’re more into the sea life. But raise your hand if you’ve heard of this type of park…. (willing to bet no one will). A Serpentarium. Anyone? Anyone? Can you say “Ferris Beuhler”? Beuhler? Beuhler? Beuhler? No. Many might know particular film, but this article won’t go into detail on the adventures of a rebellious teen and his trip to skip school. No, sir.

However, allow this particular writer the chance to talk about the remarkable “Jurassic Park”, a movie of stunning scientific thought and philosophy. Would you believe that we actually have our own “Jurassic Park”? A crazy thought, indeed. Just know this–

The beasts in this park are maybe slightly different from those lovable dinosaurs of yester-millennium.

A Serpentarium is essentially a park solely dedicated to reptiles. And while dinosaurs aren’t necessarily reptiles (they’re actually related to birds, but that’s beside the point), the idea of specialization of a certain type of animal fits.

Enter: the Edisto Island Serpentarium right in South Carolina. One of only a few reptilian parks in the States today.

Opened to the public in 1999 on the month of July, the Serpentarium carries with it a complete 50-year adventure of snake hunting from founders Ted and Heyward Clamp of Edisto Island, South Carolina. It’s an indoor facility that houses anything and everything reptilian; and trust that none of these beasts will bite you. Hours of operation are 10-3 PM, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; and rates for adults 13 and up are $12.95 followed by seniors at $11.95, children ages 6-12 with a price of $9.95 and youth ages 4 and 5 for $5.95. Children under 3 are FREE!

Be captivated by your very own modern-day Jurassic Park, the Edisto Island Serpentarium in South Carolina.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Fridays, Jurassic Park, South Carolina, Telltale Games

A Cruise Around History

: Image via Wikipedia

We all know baseball is an American pastime. But consider some of the others: football, basketball, video games…. And of course CRUISES! Hello? Can you say “Disney”? Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean are two other major cruise companies, too.

But you won’t know the benefit of history with those cruises. Here’s what you do:

Graze the west and east coasts of the United States, and you can be guaranteed of the fact that every state along those coastlines offers their very own cruises on the ocean to give riders a taste of history. Case in point: South Carolina, a state filled with so much history that it definitely begs for a cruise ship.

And here you go: the Fort Sumter Tours and SpiritLine Cruises, still running since 1961. There’s your ticket to some of the most memorable history America has to offer.

The first thing about these 1 1/2 hour-tours to keep in mind is none other than Fort Sumter, the supposed area where the American Civil War actually began. This national monument includes a quick 30-minute tour around the coast on deck along with an hour’s time to explore the fort and its on-site museum after docking. Take a step back on the cruise, and you’re heading out to Charleston Harbor for a look at the great state from the water, showcasing attractions such as the famous Battery, Arthur Ravenel Bridge, Patriots Point, and Waterfront Park. If then you’re also interested in a romantic and/or pleasant dinner on your true American vacation, partake on a 3-hour dinner cruise with some of the best city views of Charleston Harbor, all for you including live music and the best food you’ll probably ever fit in your mouth.

When you’re done, it’s all history. But it’s not over, yet. You have plenty of South Carolina to explore. After all, it’s all history–and history makes you who you are today.

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Arthur Ravenel Bridge, CarnivalCruiseLine, South Carolina, United States

The Ghost of Abbeville Opera House

History has a habit of bringing out the dead–sort of. No one ever is that certain about the afterlife, though. One thing’s for sure, when you’re dealing with the past, sometimes the spirit of the present hits you, and guess what, you’re haunted!

But, no worries, it’s not like you’re going to be possessed or anything. All that’s being said is historical places do have a tendency to be, well…haunted.

Like the Abbeville Opera House in South Carolina, for instance.

Located in Abbeville, South Carolina, 100 Court Square, the opera house is still in operation with numerous showings of great playwrights, musicals, and operas of course! But there’s one little thing about the place….

It’s haunted. At least that’s what everyone says about it.

Although it’s considered the State’s official theatre, attracting over 17,000 patrons and maintaining a steady stable of professional actors and prestigious musicians from all around the country, when you go up to the top part of the auditorium, you’ll notice something chilling about it: the section was actually considered the ‘Negro Balcony’. That’s how old the opera house is. Think about it. This is South Carolina, the state that was said to have begun the Civil War, which centered around slavery and the emancipation of Negroes.

That’s all fine and dandy knowing that the top section of the auditorium was the ‘Negro Balcony’, but you’ll also notice that one chair in that balcony is missing. You know why?

Residents would tell you that it’s where the “ghost of Abbeville Opera House” usually sits. The legend was that a black patron was murdered up in that balcony. Who’s to say that there’s no ghost of that man still lurking about? As said before, history has enigmatic spirit. And South Carolina is full of them. Come and see!

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Ghost, Opera House

The Cry Baby Bridge of Anderson, South Carolina

Here’s an explanation of a “cry baby bridge” (and if you’ve heard of the term, graze through this until you get to the part that really matters). You’ll find these types of bridges all over America, but what it means is a bridge that one night was the setting for a maniacal fiend to toss a little infant over the edge into a watery death. Hence the term “cry baby”. And, yes, this is essentially a ghost story. They call them “cry baby bridges” because many visitors have reported hearing a baby crying as they crossed–which isn’t something you necessarily want to hear. Sort of spooky.

Case in point: The Cry Baby Bridge of Anderson, South Carolina.

Moreover, not only are there reports of a little baby crying and screaming, there are sightings of a ghostly woman walking the bridge wearing a white old-time gown dress. Furthermore, some have also added that they’ve seen a ghostly car cross. The legend goes like this: it was one silent night when a mother was driving with her baby in the back seat until an accident occurred, which sent her and her baby in the car over the edge of the bridge to meet a watery grave–hence the reports of a woman and a baby crying. You’ll find every county of South Carolina tell you that legend, leaving the area of Anderson and the infamous Cry Baby Bridge a fanatical urban legend.

It’s like Sleepy Hollow. Almost. There’s no flaming Jack-o-Lantern and headless horseman, no petrified trees and scary owls or even Tim Burton and Johnny Depp with their crazy whimsical horror and adventure. But definitely if you’re driving down that bridge, be careful. The same legend might occur with you! (No, not really–just trying to scare you! After all, ghost stories are fun!)

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Bridge, Cry-Baby, South Carolina, United States

The Ghostly Girl of the Sullivan Music Center

Deep in the heart of South Carolina sits Anderson College, a prestigious school complete with every department necessary for quality learning. In visiting the Sullivan Music Center, you realize the truth: the place is haunted. The reason being is you, several times already over the course of a few weeks, have spotted the sight of a young ghostly girl who looked as if she was waiting for someone.

And in mentioning the word ‘waiting’, that’s not to mean ‘waiting for a ride’ or even ‘waiting for a friend’. No. This girl was waiting for a loved one, an actual soon-to-be fiance, who her father hated due to the man’s Catholicism. She was, in fact, an eerie sort of girl, daring to misbehave if not ever going to meet up with her betrothed. But even stranger is the fact that she continually waits because she has in fact already met up with the man of her dreams:

YOU.

It’s a pretty scary thought, you’d think. And to have a ghostly girl fawning over you isn’t an ideal situation–especially when her eyeballs vanish, leaving black sockets and a wide smile as if she was going to swallow you whole. It’s not pretty. In already learning that history, getting out of the college is a must; but you can’t. You’re drawn to the ghostly girl. And she’s drawn to you. So the question remains….

WHAT DO YOU DO?

(So, friends, this is just a story. A ghost story, yes. But keep in mind this amazing truth behind it. Sullivan Music Center in Anderson College right in South Carolina is, in fact, haunted. And there have been sightings of this ghostly girl. So before you take it as just a story, just know that what you’ve read might have actually happened in history! Or at least was told in legend! After all, ghost stories are fun….)

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Catholicism, Ghost, Ghost story, South Carolina

Booger Jim and the Cherokee Falls Bridge

: Image via Wikipedia

You’ve already read about “cry baby bridges”, but are you ready for something a little more frightening? As in “Bloody Mary” frightening? Again, don’t bite your nails. Save the DIY manicure, please. And don’t get scared. Remember, it’s just a story….

It is the story of Booger Jim and his home at Cherokee Falls Bridge in Blacksburg, South Carolina. You see, Jim was a man who died in 1979. How did he die? In essence, his wife Becca savagely killed him by tying cables around his neck and shoving off the side of the bridge to hang viciously with the stretch snapping his neck and spine. Not a pretty sight. But that’s not all of the story:

The urban legend actually begins with many newcomers to the Cherokee Falls Bridge arriving there, knowing good ol’ Booger Jim lives in his ghostly grounds underneath the bridge, with the knowledge that if they say his name three times, he will actually answer! Only problem is you really can’t make it out, apparently, because the cables around his neck crushed his voice box. See why it’s like “Bloody Mary”.

Moreover, some have reported seeing Booger Jim standing there…on the bridge…with a giant burn mark on his neck from the cables. Now that is spooky.

No one knows just how much truth there is to the story. After all, it’s an account of which an urban legend bounces off. Silly to think that this ‘call the name three times’ deal is something most paranormal experts would say makes sense. But it doesn’t matter….

We love to be thrilled by stories, by history. So take a trip down to Blacksburg, South Carolina and stroll down the Cherokee Falls Bridge. You just might meet Booger Jim. Don’t be alarmed. Remember one important thing: he’s already dead. And dead people can’t harm you. Much.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Becca, Heidi Klum, History, Victoria's Secret