Criminal Defense Lawyer in Mcclellanville, SC

Known for its lovely weather, sandy beaches, and refreshing natural activities, South Carolina is an amazing state filled with particular towns featuring amazing historical, cultural, and natural sights. Aisles of delightful pastel-colored houses, mesmerizing waterfront views, and the delectable classic Southern supper shape the soul of these welcoming communities. The "Palmetto State" has settlements of all shapes and sizes, from harbor towns to mountain hamlets to modern villages. If you seek a relaxing stroll through a green natural park, like Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, an adrenaline-rich paddleboarding adventure on Prestwood Lake near Hartsville, or a limitless Oktoberfest celebration in Walhalla, these unique South Carolina villages got you covered. So, take a moment to behold this all-American land laden with green natural scenery and festivals — South Carolina is waiting for you!

McClellanville

Turning your back to the Atlantic Ocean, McClellanville is where fishing, oystering, and shrimping are not just business but a way of life. The dense Francis Marion National Forest surrounds this small fishing town and grants a misty landscape usually found only in fairy tales. McClellanville has traditionally relied on the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal marshes for seafood provisions, which play a dominant role in the town's economy. The first store opened soon after the Civil War. Today, one can find many behind the ship masts. If one seeks to taste the fruit of the fishers' labor, T W Graham & Co provides a great selection of seafood dishes spanning from muscles to fried shrimps paired with scallops and french fries.

Travelers Rest

Travelers Rest enjoys the southern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina's magnificent Upcountry region. This cozy getaway once served as a hiding spot for the Lowcountry travelers who traveled through the highlands from the hot summer days. Those journeymen did not use highways but instead walked along iconic trails like the unique Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve loop. Surrounded by the green forest, this trail still feels like a blast from the past, stepping where those journeymen once walked, and is popular with many tourists. Visitors to Travelers Rest can spend quality time at Trailblazer Park, where the green space is replete with fun attractions like a live music stage, food gazebos, car shows, and occasional movie projections.

Landrum

Amidst the rolling hills and pastureland near the North Carolina border, Landrum boasts breathtaking natural wonders. Landrum ensures a warm and inviting atmosphere that will enhance your visit to this town. The nearby Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve provides many hiking trails, charming waterfalls, and stunning vistas belonging to story books. Spanning across Beaverdam Creek, the iconic Campbell's Covered Bridge with its red-colored wood goes in pendant with the fall foliage of the surrounding trees. Hikers will find the Palmetto Trail at the 575-acre Blue Wall Preserve very stimulating, with its scenic paths along Lanny's Falls past the twin ponds. Staying in town, downtown Landrum has plenty of artsy shops, boutiques, welcoming eateries, and antique shops like Landrum Eclectics, a Beautiful home full of antique and vintage pieces that warmly welcomes every customer.

York

York combines urban charm and small-town tranquility, where the nearby James Ross Wildlife Reservation forest quietly infiltrates the settlement. The town maintains a deep reverence for its history, which is showcased through its beautifully preserved historic district. One can admire the splendidly unique 19th-century buildings in the downtown area or explore one of the many museums. For example, the Museum of York County is a heritage museum that grants a naturalist center with hands-on programs and tells the story of York County. Moreover, York boasts a collection of historical landmarks highlighting its importance in American history. Among these is the McCelvey Center, an esteemed establishment listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The nearby Kings Mountain State Park provides the perfect setting for activities such as camping, hiking, or simply enjoying the natural heaven that surrounds you.

Walhalla

Walhalla overlooks the reaching shores of Lake Keowee near the Georgia border. Home to 4,072 hard-working people, Walhalla's community is known for its incredible natural scenery and its German heritage. German immigrants who sought refuge from the German revolutions of the mid-1800s settled here and named the town after "Valhalla" from Norse Mythology. Thanks to the prevalent German culture, the town also holds a massive annual Oktoberfest celebration with thousands of beer pints.

Besides the town's German history, there is a lot more to discover at places such as the Museum of Cherokee. This museum showcases South Carolina's Cherokee Native American heritage through artifacts, pottery, and texts. One of the most popular attractions is Issaqueena Falls, a beautiful rocky waterfall. The view of this amazing cascade is accessible only by its namesake trail and is one of the most unique sites to visit in the state! Visiting Walhalla will be just like entering the Nordic heaven.

Georgetown

Georgetown is the third oldest city in the state of South Carolina and the second-largest seaport. Part of what makes Georgetown unique is its beautiful historic homes, adorned with gracious porches, shaded, live-oak canopies, and sparkling waterways. Georgetown is easy on the eyes and provides distinct natural beauty. Georgetown has over 50 antebellum mansions in and around its downtown district, with some rumored to be haunted by ghosts, demons, and other entities. If you are into spooky tours, feel free to join the unique Ghosts of Georgetown lantern tour for a shivering experience through town.

For nature lovers, the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Center grants visitors an eye-watering 24,000 acres of pristine nature and hosts hundreds of animals, including American alligators and loggerhead sea turtles. Strolling along the town's scenic Harborwalk, one might find some of Georgetown's fine eateries. For example, Soco Grille delights customers with its juicy brisket and wide selection of seafood offerings.

Hartsville

Prestwood Lake bounds the small town of Hartsville, creating a fantastic ambiance. Hartsville combines a collection of cultural attractions and a wide range of natural wonders. When it comes to nature, Hartsville houses many gorgeous gardens and parks filled with scenic views, such as the Kalmia Gardens, which displays 30 acres of floral biodiversity and is a great place to start your Hartsville journey. Another must-see attraction is the Hartsville Museum, an old 1930s post office that has been repurposed into a home for history and art. This museum also boasts historical movie exhibits, a sculpture garden, and a mural featuring the town's first commercial studio. For outdoor lovers, the nearby Prestwood Lake grants 280 acres of water sports fun, a perfect setting for swimming, kayaking, or even paddleboarding. For a more relaxing experience, the Hartsville Memorial Library is a great place to relax and wind down. This library was established in 1920 and has hundreds of books on display, as well as magazines and even historic newspaper prints.

South Carolina is a stronghold of that unique old-school American charm, and its small towns are proof that pairing natural beauty with historical legacy is an excellent match. From the small fishing town of McClellanville with its ever-crowded port to the splendidly restored 19th-century buildings in downtown York or the sweeping Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Center with its free wildlife near Georgetown, South Carolina's communities are eager to show their peculiarity and charm with travelers of all origins. Each of these towns serves as a refuge of curiosities and provides a peaceful ambiance in their unique way.

South Carolina’s fishing past and present are alive in a few places along the coast of the Palmetto State. And while much of the commercial fishing industry may be shrinking, these quiet and quaint fishing towns in South Carolina seem frozen in time. It’s a perfect place to spend a day – immersed in these little-changed fishing towns remaining in the state. And who doesn’t love visiting the many quaint and charming South Carolina small towns?

To be clear, there are several bonafide fishing towns along the coast, but these three are especially amazing because they’ve retained the charm of days gone by and managed to set aside space for visitors to enjoy their nostalgic appeal.

The three towns are only an hour and a half apart so we’ve created a mini road trip and mapped them out for you in a handy Google Maps link. Plan your day correctly and you could have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in different charming little old-timey fishing towns along the South Carolina coast! Have fun!

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Fall is the perfect time for this Lowcountry road trip to see three old fishing towns along the coast, although any time of the year will do. Have you visited any of these before? We’d love to know if you’ve ever been to all three on the same day and what are some of your other favorite South Carolina small towns!

If you plan on taking this or any other South Carolina road trip anytime soon, make sure you take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List before you hit the road.

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More to Explore

Melissa M. | December 14, 2023

What are some of the most charming small towns in South Carolina?

Just about every part of the state offers quaint towns that are worth exploring. Here are some of the most charming small towns in South Carolina worth visiting:

Check out more charming small towns in South Carolina.

What are some of the best seafood restaurants in South Carolina? With its coastal fishing villages, it may come as no surprise that South Carolina offers numerous restaurants that serve up some of the freshest seafood. Here are a few:

Check out these must-visit seafood restaurants in South Carolina.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Plans are finally in motion to replace the old Lincoln High School with a brand new school in McClellanville.

It's been nearly a decade since Lincoln High closed. At a board meeting Wednesday night, there was finally talk of what a new school would bring the community.

Charleston County School District leaders presented a slideshow detailing the future of the new high school and middle school in northern Charleston County.

Since the closure of Lincoln High School, kids are waking up earlier to make the bell at Wando High and returning home late because of the long drive.

The constituent school board said a new school will bring relief to the people living in Awendaw and it will provide help to the schools already reaching capacity.

The district is looking at attendance lines within the area while looking at creating a magnet program.

"I do believe a partial magnet or magnet program of some kind might be within the programming options and given that it's going to have a size of 1,000 students it will probably need to pull in some areas other than just the McClellanville and Awendaw area," said Pamela Jouan-Goldman, Chair of the District 2 Constituent School Board.

Scenarios of possible zoning were shown during the meeting.

The methodology was based off the fiscal year 2022 data.

Parents voiced their concerns of drawing the line further down into Mount Pleasant.

"You do not want to force a family who is living right next door to a school go up the road to another school if at all possible so that's why were looking at the magnet as an opportunity to attract families that want to go there despite any increase in distance then they would have," Chief Operating Officer of CCSD Jeff Borowy said.

The district's goal is to get 500 students in both the middle and high school.

Thomas Colleton, Chair of the District 1 Constituent Board, said the school will need to offer something enticing.

“It is important to this build the school but at the same time let's figure out what were going to be doing inside. The curriculum means a lot," Colleton said.

“I don't know how much it would make sense to drive by Wando High School to get on (Highway) 17 to go up to Awendaw, but it does sound like they are going to have different specific programs at their school. So for example if they have got a great art program and my daughter is really into art, that sounds like a nice option to have," said Jonathan Mars, a parent of students at Carolina Park.

Colleton said it's crucial everyone is transparent throughout this process.

Their next steps will be to develop a blue-ribbon committee to review these options and create a draft to be presented to the constituent boards in October.

"I'm hopeful this blue ribbon commission will ease some of this tension, and let people know going to another school, which would be a state of the art school, why wouldn't you want your child to go there," Colleton said.

The Kaiser Farm Tract property was leased in December of 2021 to the former owner to be used as a hay farm.

The three-year lease agreement is able to be terminated at any time with a 90-day notice.

It's also possible a park and library could be built on the property in the future.

“How long have you been in business here?” I asked the proprietor of T.W. Graham & Co., an unassuming seafood restaurant located in a historic storefront on the oak-shaded main street of the coastal village of McClellanville.

“We’ve been in business since 1894” he said, and then, with a grin that made it more than an afterthought, “but I’m not the original owner.”

Do tell.

I was speaking with Patrick Runey, who busied himself greeting patrons and chatting with friends as the Saturday evening crowd began to gather for dinner and conversation.

T.W. Graham & Co. is a fixture in the small fishing village, and being only a stone’s throw from docks crowded with shrimp boats, it serves up an offering of fresh seafood for lunch and dinner almost daily. With my plate covered with freshly prepared shrimp, hand-shredded cole slaw, fries and hushpuppies, Patrick described how all of this came to be.

“I am from Charleston, and when the owners were looking to sell, I told them our plans and they knew we were the right buyer. They had other offers but did not want it to go to just anyone.”

Originally a general store, T.W. Graham & Co. has served the people of McClellanville in many ways during the 128 years it has sat on Pinckney Street. Today, it continues to be place where villagers and out-of-towners alike gather, and life for the little waterfront community rolls on.

McClellanville lies on the edge of a vast network of marshy creeks and rivers that stretches to the horizon, where the old lighthouse stands on the point of Cape Romain. Founded in the 1850s as a seaside escape for the swamp-haunted plantation owners of the Santee River region, the town quickly became a productive fishing village.

Today, it has become a destination for day tourists and overnight visitors who come to the little settlement between Charleston and Georgetown, with a desire to escape the ordinary and enjoy the peace and quiet of life under the live oaks.

When you visit McClellanville, you will encounter a place that is like a picture of Lowcountry days gone by. A network of quiet streets connect frame houses that range from two-story farmhouse-style to small, comfortable cottages. A dozen classic storefronts stand along Pinckney Street, where you can purchase hand-made local gifts and items of coastal decor, while being welcomed by friendly locals who are glad for your visit.

A crossroads in the center of the village is home to neighborhood churches, including the historic chapel of ease for the parish church of St. James Episcopal. The gingerbread trim reflects the 19th century Lowcountry style. Here, the congregation worships each Sunday, and also maintains the old brick church of St. James Santee near Hampton Plantation.

A drive to the end of Pinckney Street brings you to the Village Museum, a cultural center where the history of the town and region are preserved. A town dock will give you a view down Jeremy Creek to the vast marshy wilderness stretching to the Atlantic, or upstream to the spires and nets of the shrimp fleet, docked at the seafood company off Oak Street.

The boats form a backdrop for the Seaman’s Memorial, dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives while working the coastal waters of South Carolina. It’s a reminder of the cost of braving sea and storm to bring home each day’s catch.

You can cap off your visit with a delicious meal at T.W. Graham & Co. or at one of the other great restaurants in town, local institutions like the McClellanville Diner, The Bent Rod, and Buckshots provide an array of seafood, comfort food or more adventurous fare to please any palate.

As I finished my meal and prepared to return home, I only wished that I had more time to explore and enjoy this quiet, beautiful town. Whether you stay in McClellanville for a day, or simply visit while passing through, you will feel very much at home.

McClellanville is located off US. 17 between Charleston and Georgetown.

A drive of a little over two hours will take you through Charleston and along the wide, lonely coast highway. McClellanville is located 30 miles above Charleston and just before you cross the Santee River. As you come within the town limits you will see three of the popular local restaurants, each open at various days and times to accommodate your appetite or itinerary.

To enter the village proper, take a right onto Pinckney Street, and follow its winding track into town. You will soon come to the business district where shops and T.W. Graham & Co. welcome you, or you can continue beyond to visit the museum, churches and the often-busy waterfront along Jeremy Creek.

There are many things to do and explore nearby as well. You can explore nature at Santee Coastal Reserve, discover history at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, or arrange for an excursion by boat to visit the historic lighthouse at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information on the town and its offerings, visit the town of McClellanville homepage at https://www.mcclellanvillesc.org or call T.W. Graham & Co. at (843) 887-4342.

“How long have you been in business here?” I asked the proprietor of T.W. Graham & Co., an unassuming seafood restaurant located in a historic storefront on the oak-shaded main street of the coastal village of McClellanville.

“We’ve been in business since 1894” he said, and then, with a grin that made it more than an afterthought, “but I’m not the original owner.”

Do tell.

I was speaking with Patrick Runey, who busied himself greeting patrons and chatting with friends as the Saturday evening crowd began to gather for dinner and conversation.

T.W. Graham & Co. is a fixture in the small fishing village, and being only a stone’s throw from docks crowded with shrimp boats, it serves up an offering of fresh seafood for lunch and dinner almost daily. With my plate covered with freshly prepared shrimp, hand-shredded cole slaw, fries and hushpuppies, Patrick described how all of this came to be.

“I am from Charleston, and when the owners were looking to sell, I told them our plans and they knew we were the right buyer. They had other offers but did not want it to go to just anyone.”

Originally a general store, T.W. Graham & Co. has served the people of McClellanville in many ways during the 128 years it has sat on Pinckney Street. Today, it continues to be place where villagers and out-of-towners alike gather, and life for the little waterfront community rolls on.

McClellanville lies on the edge of a vast network of marshy creeks and rivers that stretches to the horizon, where the old lighthouse stands on the point of Cape Romain. Founded in the 1850s as a seaside escape for the swamp-haunted plantation owners of the Santee River region, the town quickly became a productive fishing village.

Today, it has become a destination for day tourists and overnight visitors who come to the little settlement between Charleston and Georgetown, with a desire to escape the ordinary and enjoy the peace and quiet of life under the live oaks.

When you visit McClellanville, you will encounter a place that is like a picture of Lowcountry days gone by. A network of quiet streets connect frame houses that range from two-story farmhouse-style to small, comfortable cottages. A dozen classic storefronts stand along Pinckney Street, where you can purchase hand-made local gifts and items of coastal decor, while being welcomed by friendly locals who are glad for your visit.

A crossroads in the center of the village is home to neighborhood churches, including the historic chapel of ease for the parish church of St. James Episcopal. The gingerbread trim reflects the 19th century Lowcountry style. Here, the congregation worships each Sunday, and also maintains the old brick church of St. James Santee near Hampton Plantation.

A drive to the end of Pinckney Street brings you to the Village Museum, a cultural center where the history of the town and region are preserved. A town dock will give you a view down Jeremy Creek to the vast marshy wilderness stretching to the Atlantic, or upstream to the spires and nets of the shrimp fleet, docked at the seafood company off Oak Street.

The boats form a backdrop for the Seaman’s Memorial, dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives while working the coastal waters of South Carolina. It’s a reminder of the cost of braving sea and storm to bring home each day’s catch.

You can cap off your visit with a delicious meal at T.W. Graham & Co. or at one of the other great restaurants in town, local institutions like the McClellanville Diner, The Bent Rod, and Buckshots provide an array of seafood, comfort food or more adventurous fare to please any palate.

As I finished my meal and prepared to return home, I only wished that I had more time to explore and enjoy this quiet, beautiful town. Whether you stay in McClellanville for a day, or simply visit while passing through, you will feel very much at home.

McClellanville is located off US. 17 between Charleston and Georgetown.

A drive of a little over two hours will take you through Charleston and along the wide, lonely coast highway. McClellanville is located 30 miles above Charleston and just before you cross the Santee River. As you come within the town limits you will see three of the popular local restaurants, each open at various days and times to accommodate your appetite or itinerary.

To enter the village proper, take a right onto Pinckney Street, and follow its winding track into town. You will soon come to the business district where shops and T.W. Graham & Co. welcome you, or you can continue beyond to visit the museum, churches and the often-busy waterfront along Jeremy Creek.

There are many things to do and explore nearby as well. You can explore nature at Santee Coastal Reserve, discover history at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, or arrange for an excursion by boat to visit the historic lighthouse at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information on the town and its offerings, visit the town of McClellanville homepage at https://www.mcclellanvillesc.org or call T.W. Graham & Co. at (843) 887-4342.