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When it comes to South Carolina history, there
are few places that are as significant as Charleston
Harbor. Through the centuries, the harbor has
had a wave of transformation, leaving
bits of history in its wake. Its remnants, as
well as its additions, are quite the spectacle when
seen... From the Sky!
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Forming at the convergence of two tidal rivers.
This inlet was the epicenter
for trade during the 18th and 19th centuries. To
this day, it still serves as a major port in the
United States seeing nearly 20 million tons of
trade through these coastal waters every year.
The most noticeable part of the harbor is what’s
connecting Mount Pleasant and Charleston, the Arthur
Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Completed in 2005, the
Ravenel Bridge is the longest cable-stayed
bridge in the United States. Its diamond towers
reach up 575 feet connecting 128 individual
steel cables. The 2.5 mile long, eight-lane bridge is
crossed nearly 97,000 times a day. Annually, the
bridge hosts the third largest 10K Marathon in
the United States.
As we travel south, we reach downtown Charleston.
Founded in 1670 as “Charles Town” in honor of
King Charles II, the city was a hub for colonists in
the New World. Shortly after the American
Revolution, the town was given its present name of
“Charleston” and remained at the center of South
Carolina politics and society. Along the
southern shores of the peninsula, the seawall and
promenade known as “The Battery” served as a
defensive artillery point during the American Civil
War. It was formally known as “Oyster Point” because
piles of bleached oyster shells that gathered at
the tip of the peninsula. The battery was
strategically made to help guard the port of
Charleston during blockades and attacks.
Today, the battery is decorated with cannons and
other military memorials.
Following the Civil War, the battery devolved into
near slum conditions until the early 20th century.
That is until Dorothy Legge decided to renovate
some of the Gregorian-style houses
that remained. She painted these houses based on a
colonial Caribbean color scheme. Future owners
would carry on this tradition by creating an
array of pastel houses known today as “Rainbow
Row”. A common myth is that these houses were
painted different colors so that sailors could
easily recognize them, and they wouldn’t stumble into
the wrong home when coming from the port. Whether
that’s true or not, it remains an amazing
backdrop for such a historical town.
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Back across the harbor you may spot something that
looks like a military base but is actually a floating
museum. Decommissioned in 1970, the USS Yorktown
remains permanently docked at Patriot’s Point where
nearly 300,000 visitors board the essex-class
aircraft carrier each year. Its during its
maritime battles in World War II the ship received
its nickname, The Fighting Lady, because it would
always take the lead. Weighing over 30,000 tons
and having a top speed of 30 knots, the Yorktown
played a significant role in the Pacific offensive
against Japan. One of its last missions was
recovering the Apollo 8 spacecraft in 1968.
Lasting 6 days, this was the first manned mission
to leave earth’s orbit, reach the moon and return.
Today, a replica capsule stays aboard the ship to
forever commemorate this momentous achievement.
It’s places like this that make Charleston Harbor
such an essential part of South Carolina and
American history. It’s something to truly
appreciate when you get to take a look... From the Sky!
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