When was the isle of palms connector built

If Charleston proper is the revered grandmother—the geographic grande dame of these environs—and Mount Pleasant and West Ashley are the parents—the bill-paying folks with carpools and grocery lists—then the islands are three sisters—the fun-in-the-sun, much-loved gals. Read on to get to know their backgrounds and discover where you might want to park your beach blanket.

Gregarious and athletic she loves beach volleyball! Stretching from Dewees Inlet to Breach Inlet, Isle of Palms is a long-legged gal, with more than six miles of wide, relatively quiet, and clean beachfront. Seasonal residents and visitors began traveling to the island in the late 19th century, around the time it was bought by Dr. Renaming her Isle of Palms, Lawrence worked to improve the steam ferry service from Charleston to Mount Pleasant and to establish electric streetcar lines from Mount Pleasant over the Cove and Breach inlets, leading to the eventual development of the island.

A dance pavilion and Ferris wheel soon followed, and the Isle of Palms became an East Coast hot spot. Folks from as far away as Augusta and Savannah chartered trains to come and see her. Her seaside amusements—which by then included three beachfront pavilions as well as the longest fishing pier in the Carolinas at the time—continued to draw crowds, while her new owner, J.

The island soon matured into the well-rounded gal she is today—part bedroom community with ocean view! The late Kathryn Carroll, who died in after living on the island for 50 years, fondly remembered the early days, before there were even houses on the ocean side of Ocean Boulevard, let alone Wild Dunes.

The island was small and friendly; a perfect place to raise a family—kids could safely roam wherever they wanted. Hurricane Hugo and the Isle of Palms Connector changed much of the atmosphere, according to Carroll, whose family has been in the island real estate rental business for 30 years, and whose son Jimmy is now raising his family on the Isle of Palms.

Know Before You Go: The Isle of Palms has reopened to the public, but as of press time, the municipality is prohibiting gatherings of more than three people, except family members who live in the same household. For up-to-date info, visit iop. Bunkers tucked about the island are reminders of her past military glory; one even houses the small public library. She has depth of character; layers that lie in her soft and inviting sand.

In their place, huge post-Hugo homes dominate the beachfront, but there are still no condos or hotels. Though affluent, she remains homey and welcoming. Lawrence of Beaufort , president of the Charleston and Seashore Railroad Company, who christened it Isle of Palms — both in honor of its abundance of palmetto trees and as a means to attract tourists. Fish fries and oyster roasts were held regularly, and the publication features photographs of men in suits and women in long dresses pulling a foot seine along the shore.

By then the resort was also home to a Ferris wheel imported from Atlantic City and an early rollercoaster imported from Coney Island. The Ferris wheel, which was illuminated by electric lights, could be seen from High Battery in Charleston. A two-story eastern wing was added to the hotel in , and a two-story western wing was added in ; these brought the total number of rooms to Sottile was president of the Charleston-Isle of Palms Traction Company, which formed in out of a consolidated successor to the Charleston and Seashore Railroad Company.

Three years later, the Hotel Seashore burned to the ground in a mysterious early-morning fire. The pavilion and amusements went unharmed, but the pavilion caught fire in the s. It was rebuilt as a two-story structure with a dance floor, as seen in the postcard below.

Festivities there continued well into the s. The resort suffered during the s, but after World War II, the island grew into a thriving residential area for returning soldiers. Funded by taxpayers, the bridge served as a boon for his budding enterprise, and Long eventually became the largest landowner in Charleston County.

In , the Isle of Palms Connector seen in the background below was completed, making the beach even more accessible — and more populated. Today the incorporated town is home to both full-time residents and tourists.

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These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Chapman, Jr. On July 3, , the famous Isle of Palms fishing pier on the front beach was opened to the public. It was the longest fishing pier in South Carolina, reaching 1, feet out into the Atlantic Ocean, erected by the Beach Company.

It had a concession building at the shore end of the pier which carried fishing equipment for rent or purchase, a snack bar and restrooms. Fishing privilege cost 65 cents per day, and the pier was equipped with sinks for the convenience of fishermen who wished to clean their catches on the spot.

On March 27, , the new Breach Inlet Bridge was completed. The new bridge, 26 feet long, included new 4. In , Finch Properties purchase a 1,acre site on the northeastern tip of isle of Palms from J. Today it is known as Wild Dunes. Official talk of an Isle of Palms connector began in when local, state and federal agencies met to discuss improving traffic service.

Debate continued to flare throughout as concerned citizens and state and federal representatives discussed the economic, residential and environmental outcomes. In the spring of the Isle of Palms airstrip along the Inland Waterway was purchased by Wild Dunes and converted into a golf fairway.

It was one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the United States, damaging more than 95 percent of the buildings on the Isle of Palms and forcing the evacuation of all but three families who stayed at their own risk.

Following Hurricane Hugo the city undertook a capital improvement plan which called for the construction of a new municipal building to house police and city hall functions, two new fire stations and a public works building for maintenance of vehicles. History was again made on Oct.