TAKE A Historic Tour
THROUGH SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY
Welcome to
Santee Cooper Country!
My name is Francis Marion – yes, THE ghost of the famous Swamp Fox
– and I’ll be your adventure guide today. I’m so excited you’ll be joining me for a day of historic adventures and exploration. I’ve got a full itinerary, so I hope you brought your walking shoes.
Let’s get started!
Summerton Diner
They say the early bird gets the worm, but we in Santee Cooper Country prefer a hot breakfast to kick start our morning. Let’s begin our tour with a delicious breakfast from Summerton Diner. We’ll chat with locals and share a cup of coffee before heading out to a full day of exploring Santee Cooper Country. Grab an extra cup to go and let’s hit the road!
Swamp Fox Trail Murals
For our first official stop, we’re going to check out the Swamp Fox Trail Murals, located in Clarendon County. Here, there are 18 carefully designed pieces of art that showcase the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. It’s a good thing we got an early start today, because these murals are found all across the county and we wouldn’t want to miss a single one! One of my personal favorites is the mural that depicts the “Swamp Fox at Ox Swamp.” This mural is the moment when British General Banastre Tarleton gave up on his hunt for me and spoke the famous words, “as for the old fox, the devil himself could not catch him.” Talk about an iconic moment! Be sure to snap a photo before we go to our next site.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Next up, The Santee National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge covers over 13,000 acres of land that served as the location for a multitude of Revolutionary War battles. Guests can stand where brave men fought for freedom and visit the Santee Indian Burial mound that was captured by the British during the war. The British used this site as a fort, before eventually surrendering.
Today, the refuge is home to a myriad of local wildlife and critters who are eager to say hello. Let’s take a leisurely stroll and see if we can spot a Painted Bunting. Oh look! There goes one now!
Mepkin Abbey and the Barony House
After we’ve viewed each mural and learned about the history of the refuge, we’re stopping by Mepkin Abbey. This Trappist monastery is found on the Cooper River and once served as a plantation home for the well-known Charleston merchant, Henry Laurens, and his wife Eleanor Ball. From 1777 to 1778, Henry was President of the 2nd Continental Congress and the highest ranking civilian in the Revolutionary War.
While we’re in the area, we can’t forget to grab lunch in Moncks Corner at the Barony House. These mouthwatering meals have been a local favorite for two decades. You absolutely must try the meat and vegetables for lunch–they are simply delicious!
Fort Fair Lawn
Once your plate is empty and your belly is full, it’s time to hit the road for our next stop. Fort Fair Lawn is considered one of the most well-preserved original American Revolutionary War fortifications in South Carolina. Located on the grounds of Old Santee Canal Park, this fort was originally built to protect Stoney Landing. It's a fascinating site to explore, and offers a glimpse into the historic military architecture!
In addition to the fort, Old Santee Canal Park provides scenic hiking and walking trails, an educational interpretive center and Berkeley County Museum. We can explore the lay of the land and learn more about the area’s heritage. I hope you’re up for a hike!
The Eutaw Springs Battle Site
You may want to fill up your water bottle before this next stop. We’ll be outdoors exploring one of the most important locations of the American Revolutionary War in South Carolina–Eutaw Springs. The Battle of Eutaw Springs served as a major turning point in the war.
On September 8, 1781 after four hours of rigorous battles in the blistering heat, over 4,000 men fought tirelessly to overcome the British forces. The enemy finally vacated the area and surrendered at Yorktown five weeks later. Today, we get to explore the battle site and catch a glimpse of the fateful spot firsthand. I’m sorry, what was that? Oh yes, of course I’ll take your picture here!
The Burial Site of Francis Marion
Before we rustle up some dinner, there’s one more place I want to show you. It’s by far one of the most significant in my personal opinion. We’re going to visit my final resting place.
The burial site is in Pineville, just off Highway 45, not far from the tranquil Santee State Park. My tomb is visited by locals and tourists alike. Many make a weekend stay out of the trip by camping at the park just up the road. It’s a great spot to get away from everyday life and catch one of those spectacular Santee Cooper Country sunsets over the water. In fact, I bet we’re just in time to see it. Let’s drive over now so we don’t miss it!
Sweatman’s Barbeque
Wow! Another unbeatable South Carolina sunset in the books, it just doesn’t get better than that. Well, maybe a little better. I’m starved, and nothing sounds more delicious than a smoky barbeque sandwich to close out the day. Are you hungry? Great, I know just the place.
Sweatman’s Barbeque has been a fan favorite for over 69 years and was featured in Southern Living, Garden & Gun and USA Today. You can choose from smoked-to-perfection meats and a wide variety of classic sides. Cole slaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese and banana pudding are a few of my favorites. Just between you and me–I always order a little extra to go.
Thank you so much for stepping back in time with me today and soaking up all the rich history Santee Cooper Country has to offer. It’s been a delight to share these adventures with you and