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Beaufort County Open Land Trust

Protecting and Preserving the Lowcountry of South Carolina

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November 2, 2020 by ToddHolway

St. Helena Island – Protecting a Cultural and Historic Treasure

The Open Land Trust has a deep and steadfast commitment to the protection of St. Helena Island, the last relatively undeveloped Sea Island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. In the heart of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the 50-acre Historic District on St. Helena Island is home to Penn Center, one of the most significant African American historical and cultural institutions in existence and also the newly-designated Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. St. Helena remains relatively rural, defined by large blocks of historically active working lands in local agricultural food and timber production.

Zoning cannot address the multitude of pressures that St. Helena residents face as they try to maintain ownership of their family property and the integrity of their community. Rising property taxes, heirs’ property ownership, increased sand mining and strong development pressure from out-of-state buyers puts multi-generational family properties at risk. Currently Bay Point Island, a barrier island just 1½
miles from the southern end of St. Helena Island is facing the threat of a resort development, epitomizing the strong and oftentimes senseless development pressure on this rural community.

Currently we protect 1,604 acres of farmland, timberland, rural recreational property and historic sites on St. Helena Island. We are continually working on community conservation projects and land protection opportunities to provide permanent stability of land uses. Buffering the Island’s rich historic resources from urban encroachment furthers the protection of the unique and threatened cultural resources of the Gullah Geechee culture of the South Carolina Sea Islands, the area’s rural character and the farming heritage of St. Helena Island.

        

Filed Under: News, Stewardship Projects

July 7, 2016 by Beaufort County Open Land Trust

Carolina Cider Company and Superior Coffee at the old St. Helena Market

Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-1-1
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-1-1
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2
Carolina Cider Company-Superior Coffee-St. Helena Market-2

Filed Under: News, Photo Gallery, Stewardship Projects

April 20, 2016 by Beaufort County Open Land Trust

St. Helena Market

St Helena Market - Beaufort County Open Land Trust

Reviving an Iconic St. Helena Landmark

Breaking ground during the early months of 1955, Mr. Leyonard Blocker and his beloved wife Barbara began construction on a small country store just over Cowan Creek at the front door of St. Helena Island. Officially opening for business on October 15th of that same year, Blocker’s Grocery Store quickly became a favorite, and for many years, the only, one-stop-shop for local sea island residents. As decades rolled by and more and more visitors discovered St. Helena and the islands and beaches just beyond her, the store evolved into an iconic landmark where visiting became more than just a stop at a gas station -- it became an experience reminiscent of times gone by. From a full service fuel station to shelves and baskets filled with locally grown produce and plants and nearly anything in between, patrons could always count on the market to have something they needed. The Blocker’s ran and managed the store for over thirty years until they decided to retire and lease it in 1988. When the new operator took over, he changed the name of the store to the St. Helena Market but continued the tradition of selling local produce, plants, and other goodies commonly found in old fashioned general stores.

Fast forward to 1997 when the opportunity arose for the Land Trust to purchase the property from the Blocker’s to prevent any further development of the land. By partnering with Beaufort County and others, as well as receiving generous private donations from our members and local residents, the Land Trust was able to successfully close the deal by the summer of 1998. Upon the Land Trust’s acquisition of the property, with the same tenant in place, the St. Helena Market continued to operate until late 2012 when the doors closed for the first time in well over half a century.

After nearly 3 years of sitting vacant, the Land Trust began renovations to the old market in the fall of 2015 as a result of an overwhelming response from local residents, long time visitors to the islands, and others passionate about reviving this historic icon and St. Helena institution. In keeping with the old country store theme, the Land Trust has entered into a long-term lease agreement with the Carolina Cider Company to operate the market once renovations are complete, which are expected to be in May 2016. Similar to their other two locations (one in Gardens Corner and the other in Point South, both on Highway 17 just north of Beaufort), the St. Helena location will specialize in carrying locally made ciders and other small batch southern delicacies such as jams, jellies, pickles, relishes, homemade pies (the best you will ever eat!) and other sweets, stone ground grits, Carolina Gold rice, and much more. They will also offer premium fresh ground coffee which can be enjoyed while browsing through the store or while relaxing on the patio out front. So this summer when you head out to the beaches, stop in and take a look…there’s a good chance there will be something that suits your fancy.

St Helena Market - Beaufort County Open Land Trust
St Helena Market - Beaufort County Open Land Trust
St Helena Market - Beaufort County Open Land Trust

Filed Under: News, Stewardship Projects

April 1, 2016 by Beaufort County Open Land Trust

Widgeon Point Preserve

Widgeon-Point-Preserve - Beaufort County Open Land Trust

Located in the center of Beaufort County and surrounded by the pristine marshes of the Broad River, the 162 acre Widgeon Point Preserve is the crown jewel of a series of islands collectively known as Lemon Island. Situated between the Chechessee River and the Broad River, the Preserve’s unique geographic location adjacent to Highway 170 provides convenient access to an otherwise isolated island. Working in close partnership with Beaufort County and others, plans to open the gates of the Preserve to the public are on-going. With a mix of various habitats supporting a rich diversity of wildlife and plant species, the Preserve, once opened, is sure to provide the public with extraordinary opportunities to observe and absorb the natural beauty of our beloved Lowcountry.

Widgeon Point Road
Widgeon Point palmetto trees
Widgeon Point
Widgeon Point Preserve - Beaufort County Open Land Trust
Widgeon Point Preserve - Barn

Filed Under: News, Stewardship Projects

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Accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

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Beaufort County Open Land Trust
Office Location:
124 Lady's Island Drive
Beaufort, South Carolina 29907

or
Mailing Address:
P O Box 75
Beaufort, SC 29901

Phone: (843) 521-2175
Fax: (843) 521-1946

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