Off the Beaten Path: St. Helena Island, SC

With its abundant farms and shrimp docks, St. Helena Island, just 5 miles east of Beaufort, offers visitors a glimpse into rural Lowcountry life past and present. St. Helena is home to the Penn Center, one of the first schools for the children of freed slaves the location of a small rural cottage, where Martin Luther King, Jr. drafted his famous “I have a dream speech”.

Downtown Frogmore should be included on any visit to St. Helena Island. The colorful shops, art galleries and restaurants featuring authentic local dishes are not to be missed.

Much of the rural and agricultural land on St. Helena is still worked by native residents, many of whom are descended from slaves; and the shrimping and fishing industries on the island are major contributors not only to the local economy, but also to the fine dining enjoyed by locals and tourists alike

A quiet sea island in Beaufort County, St. Helena Island is perhaps best known for its historic connection to Gullah culture and language, still evident on the island today. The island is nestled between downtown Beaufort and the resort communities of Harbor Island and Fripp Island, so it enjoys the benefits of both rural and suburban life. The population of St. Helena (pronounced HEL-uh-nuh) hovers around 10,000. St. Helena is home to the Penn Center, a National Historic Landmark located on the site of one of the nation's first schools for freed slaves, which opened in 1862.

Penn Center
Tucked in the heart of the South Carolina Sea Islands surrounded by glimmering marshes and nestled beneath the silvery moss-draped limbs of massive live oaks, is Penn Center - the site of the former Penn School, one of the country's first schools for freed slaves. It is one of the most significant African American historical and cultural institutions in existence today.

Take the time a see Chapel of Ease. Beautiful old remains of a different time. Walk around and see the "footprints" of where the orginal Chapel sat. The old church was made from seashells.

Hunting Iisland State Park
Hunting Island is South Carolina’s single most popular state park attracting more than a million visitors a year, as well as a vast array of land and marine wildlife.  A picturesque Hunting Island Beach, palm trees and thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and ocean inlet are all part of the park’s natural allure that keep locals and vistors alike coming back all throughout the year. Climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse and take in a breathtaking view of the Atlanic Ocean. Dolphins can often be seen frolicking right off shore and pelicans can be spotted dive bombing for their next meal. Hunting Island is not your typical beach. This natural beauty is a must see when visiting the area.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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