South Carolina Smiles and Places 2008 Official Vacation Guide - (Page 78) T h e B i r t h p l a c e o f American Civilization By Angela Shoultz You may not have heard about this town in the southern tip of South Carolina, but this lack of chatter says nothing of the town itself. Today an active revitalization effort thrives here, existing blissfully alongside an illustrious past that is also being carefully preserved. After all, flags from four different countries have flown over this little plot of Lowcountry that would come to be known as Port Royal, SC. Just 22 years after Columbus first reached the new world, Pedro de Salazar raised the Spanish flag, followed shortly after by French Captain Jean Ribaut, and finally, in 1670, by Charles II of England who gave the territory to his eight Lords Proprietor. Years of turmoil lay ahead for the settlement. However, it was spared the fate of most Lowcountry cities during the Civil War by its Union occupation. As Sherman himself marched through, burning and pillaging the neighboring towns of Hardeeville and McPhersonville on his way to Columbia, Port Royal was saved along with beautiful homes and public buildings, many of which still stand today. 78 South Carolina Smiles 2008
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