|
|
| Ridgeland's History
and the Heart of the Lowcountry |
 |
Ridgeland,
the Heart of the Lowcountry. Many towns in the southeast owe
their genesis to the presence of a railroad during the 1800's.
When the railroad was being planned, the nearest town to today's
Ridgeland, was Grahamville, a quiet village about one mile east.
Grahamvillians, not wanting the noise, smoke, and smell of a
railroad, turned "thumbs down" on routing the "line"
through their settlement, never dreaming that they would one
day be a suburb of the town that formed as a result of the railroad
and its "depot." |
| Originally
named Gopher Hill by the Plant System, which built the railroad
in the mid 1800's from Charleston to Savannah, and incorporated
under that name in 1894, the town officially became Ridgeland
in 1902 when the Atlantic Coastline Railroad took over the "line"
and built a new depot about one mile north of the original "station."
The name, Gopher Hill, was derived from the "gopher tortoise",
which was once indigenous to the area but that name was not
considered good enough for a new railroad station. Since the
town was located on the highest hill between Charleston and
Savannah it was renamed Ridgeland. |
The
Town, which is near the geographic center of Jasper County today,
and is its county seat, straddled the county lines of Beaufort
and Hampton Counties when it was first settled. Jasper County
was formed in 1912, with Ridgeland selected as its County Seat.
A Courthouse was built in 1915. (This large and beautiful structure
is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.)
Of course, prior to the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans
inhabited the area. Artifacts, such as arrow heads and pottery
shards, are still often found. These are attributed to the Coosaw
and Yemassee tribes which were here when the Europeans arrived.
Native Americans
migrated out of this area soon after the Yemassee Uprising of
1712.
Thomas
Heyward, Jr. was one of the most famous citizen this area has
produced. A signer of the Declaration of Independence, he was
raised and buried at Old House about 5 miles east of present
day Ridgeland. His father, Daniel, and brother, Nathaniel, were
also entrepreneurs of their time. However, the county is named
for a non-resident, Sgt. William Jasper, a hero of the Revolutionary
War. Ridgeland is also the birthplace and current home of General
Jacob Edward Smart. Gen. Smart was the second South Carolinian
to earn a fourth star. A highly decorated Air Force veteran
the General is a true American hero. Well known and loved by
all, he celebrates his 93rd birthday on May 31st.
Ridgeland
had just begun to develop when the Civil War devastated the
area. Although the "Battle of Honey Hill" was fought
just a few miles from town, and the Confederate troops won the
battle to protect the railroad, Sherman's Army was not far behind,
and almost everything was "put to the torch." Only
a few churches and buildings used by the dreaded Yankees were
left standing. Holy Trinity Episcopal in Grahamville, and the
Gillisonville Baptist in Gillisonville, are both antebellum
churches that have been well reserved. |
|
An
economy based on agriculture, particularly rice farming had
brought prosperity to the community in the early and mid 1800s.
The Civil War devastation left the entire area in poverty.
Wealthy outsiders bought up the land and many hunting clubs
and absentee owned timber companies moved in. Local citizens
developed businesses and small industries and were making
an excellent "comeback" when the depression of 1929
hit. As we came out of the depression and tourism developed,
Ridgeland's location on U.S. Highway 17, the main route between
Miami and New York, opened up opportunities, and Ridgeland
began to grow again. We even learned to love those "damn
yankees" because they brought money. Around 1980, when
1-95 opened, the location of Ridgeland's two interchanges
were such that traffic bypassed the town. Main Street began
to "dry up." It was not until politicians saw fit
to put an interchange at U.S. 278 and 1-95
|
|
| (Exit
21) that Ridgeland began to really benefit from the proximity
of the Interstate. Several motels, restaurants, service stations,
a major super market, and numerous small businesses soon developed. |
|
|
The
1990's saw great things happen for Ridgeland. The Town began
its downtown redevelopment effort with Main Street receiving
new sidewalks, parks, lighting and palmetto trees. New businesses
moved in. The old downtown and the new business section at I-95
were united with a common development theme. Additional commercial
development followed and made for a much stronger economy. Ridgeland
is the "residence of choice" for much of the work
force that serves Hilton Head, Sun City, and other new and developing
resort, residential, and commercial areas springing up in the
southern part of the county.
Ridgeland
has turned itself into one of the prettiest and most charming
small towns in South Carolina. With its proximity to excellent
hunting grounds, good salt and fresh water fishing, and numerous
golf courses within easy driving distance, it is |
| a
highly desirable place to live, work and play. It is truly the
Heart of the Lowcountry, not only geographically, but in its
people, culture, history, recreation, and economic opportunity. |
Home
is where the heart is. And Ridgeland is known as "The Heart
of the Lowcountry."
It's a hometown with traditional values and a great deal of
optimism about the future. Like a ripple in a pond, the warmth
of the community spreads farther and farther outward. With a
walk down its oak-lined streets, the town of Ridgeland will
steal your heart. So don't say we didn't warn you.
Education
Ridgeland is in the Jasper County School District, a single
district that serves the entire county.
|
|
Students
who attend public school enjoy low teacher to student ratios,
small classes, computer labs in all schools, and gifted, early
education, and special needs programs.
The school district has implemented a "reengineering"
effort in all schools to rededicate themselves to the mission
and beliefs of the district. Ridgeland has one high school (Jasper
County High School), one middle school (Ridgeland Middle), two
elementary schools (Ridgeland Elementary and West Hardeeville
Elementary), one vocational school (The Academy for Career Excellence).
A private school is also available in Ridgeland - ages K through
12.
Higher education is available in nearby Beaufort at the Technical
College of the Lowcountry and the University of South Carolina,
Beaufort Campus. Savannah, GA, which is a half-hour drive from
Ridgeland, has two 4-year colleges. The University of South
Carolina also plans to build a 4-year college in Southern Jasper
County on Highway 278.
Quality education has never before been so close at hand for
residents of Ridgeland. |
|
|
Arts
The natural beauty of Ridgeland has inspired our local artists
and musicians for centuries. Fine art galleries are close by
in Beaufort, Bluffton, Charleston, Port Royal, Hilton Head Island,
and Savannah. Look for original "people-bird" sculptures
by Walter Palmer, a portrait by Joe Bowler, or watercolors by
Nancy Ricker Rhett. Find inspiration at Gallery Chuma, specializing
in Lowcountry African-American art and Gullah art.
If architecture is your thing, Ridgeland has a variety of |
| styles
from the Gothic revival architecture of the Holy Trinity Episcopal
Church to the traditional southern style of metal roofs and
large porches. |
Parks
& Recreation
Ridgeland is a virtual sportsman's paradise. The area has a
number of hunting clubs, many of which are headquartered in
grand plantation houses.
All around, both freshwater and saltwater fishing abound. Go
shrimping or crabbing in the Atlantic, or hook a fish in the
Savannah or Broad Rivers. Go hiking, picnicking, canoeing, or
kayaking, or just relax with the family at a playground (with
or without a spray pool) or community barbecue. |
Strap
on your skates or break out your "board" and visit
Ridgeland's own skate park. And it wouldn't be South Carolina
without world-class, year-round golf. For a quick 9 holes, visit
the Sgt. Jasper Country Club. For tennis try the free tennis
courts at Harold Turpin Park. Or for the true resort experience
in your own backyard, hop on over to Hilton Head Island for
golf, swimming, deep sea fishing and more!
|
|
| For more
information on Ridgeland's parks and recreation, go to Points
of Interest. Or for specific listings of festivals, parades,
and reenactments, see the Calendar of Events. |
Healthcare
For the growing number of families and retirees who make the
Lowcountry of South Carolina their home, quality healthcare
is very important. Nearby Savannah with its three major hospitals
offers some of the finest health care centers in the nation.
There are several more primary care facilities within 30 miles
of Ridgeland. Small town pharmacies, like the one on Main Street,
assure you that you'll receive the personal attention you deserve
when it comes to your family's health. |
|
|
