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Revolutionary War Itinerary

REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORY LIVES IN SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY

Discover Fort Fair Lawn/Mepkin Abbey

Step back in time in American History and visit battle sites that were crucial in claiming our independence from the British empire. In Moncks Corner, just a short 30-minute drive from Charleston, you will find Fort Fair Lawn, the most pristine, intact, original American Revolutionary War fortification in South Carolina located on the grounds of the Old Santee Canal Park. The whole family would enjoy exploring this earthen rectangular fort that was originally built to protect Stoney Landing. While you are at the park, there is plenty of hiking walking trails along with an educational interpretive center and the Berkeley County Museum.

Have lunch in historic Moncks Corner at the Barony House. A local favorite for twenty years and serves a variety of dishes including homemade meat and vegetables for lunch. Don’t be surprised if you see a local monck from Mepkin Abbey eating there at the same time.
After lunch, take a short drive to Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery located on the Cooper River and was once the plantation and home to Charleston merchant Henry Laurens and his wife Eleanor Ball. Henry served as President of the 2nd Continental Congress from 1777 to 1778 and served as the highest ranking and most distinguished civilian in the Revolutionary War.
There are many new and modern hotels in close by Summerville, including Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn and Suites and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

The Eutaw Springs Battlesite.

Located on the edge of South Carolina’s largest lake, Marion, and named after General Francis Marion, the battlesite of Eutaw Springs took place on September 8, 1781. Plan a day in the rural setting found in the midlands of South Carolina. The Battle of Eutaw Springs was the last Revolutionary War battle to take place in South Carolina and marked the end of British occupation in the state. More than 4000 men fought in stifling heat for more than 4 hours. The British evacuated the area and five weeks later, the British surrendered at Yorktown.
Just a short 10 minute drive from the battle site in Holly Hill, enjoy a bar-b-que plate or sandwich at Sweatman’s Barbeque. This family owned restaurant has been serving whole hog meals for 69 years and have gained recognition by Southern Living, Garden & Gun and USA Today.
Before wrapping up your trip, plan to visit the tomb of Gen. Francis Marion “The Swampfox” located in Pineville off of Highway 45. Take the family just up the road and enjoy a peaceful but fun camping stay at one of the waterfront cabins located at the Santee State Park in Santee. Watch the sun go down, fish awhile or just relax after a day of touring Revolutionary War sites.

The Swampfox Murals and the Battle of Fort Watson

Enjoy retracing the footsteps of the American Militia and several Revolutionary War battles that took place in Clarendon County. Start your day on the Southernmost portion of the county by visiting the Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Summerton. The refuge covers more than 13,000 acres and is home to a Santee Indian Burial mound that the British captured and used as a fort during the Revolutionary War.

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Clarendon County is home to many Revolutionary battles and has created the Swamp Fox Murals Trail depicting several of Gen. Marion’s battles. There are currently 18 murals that have been painted at various sites throughout the county. The Swamp Fox Trail murals are dedicated to the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. One mural in Manning depicted “Swamp Fox at Ox Swamp” is where British Gen. Banastre Tarleton gave up trying to capture Gen. Francis Marion after a 26 mile chase. This is where Tarleton gave up the chase and remarked “as for the old fox, the devil himself could not catch him.”

Breakfast at ClarkÕs Inn and Restaurant in Santee, South Carolina on Saturday, August 20, 2022. Copyright 2022 Jason Barnette

While visiting Clarendon, have lunch at the Summerton Diner. This diner is filled with friendly locals and the food is down home country cooking. In the heart of Clarendon County, you can shop at one of several local boutiques located on the square like Belladonna Boutique. After a long day sightseeing, head to Summerton and spend the night at a lakeside cottage located at Palmetto Shores RV Resort. Walking distance from the cottage is The Lake House restaurant. Dine on steaks, seafood or alligator. Remember to keep room for one of many choices of home made desserts.