Friday, April 4:

On the way back to civilization, we ventured off on a delightful old road to Coffin Point Plantation. It was like driving back in time. At the end of the oak allee', the plantation house is a striking three-story whip clapboard mansion, built on a tabby foundation and sporting a red tin roof. It commands a sweeping view of the ocean, the sky, and Edisto Island in the distance. It was built between 1780 and 1800. During the Civil War, the plantation was used by the men and women who came to St. Helena Island to teach at the Penn School.

We stopped in Beaufort for a walk-around. Beaufort is a picturesque old port town, which still retains the atmosphere of an earlier time. It has many pre-Revolutionary War and antebellum houses surrounded by quiet gardens, situated on narrow oak-canopied streets.













Established by charter from the Lords Proprietors in 1711, Beaufort is the second oldest town in the state. Its history dates back to Spanish exploration in 1520 and attempted settlements by French Huguenots in 1562.

There’s a nice waterfront park along the Beaufort River. It’s in the center of the business district and attracts some pretty impressive yachts stopping for a visit. We had lunch here and then headed back home.