Morris Island National Monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first national park in South Carolina. The centerpiece of the island is the 171-acre Fort Moultrie, built by General Augustine Washington during the American Revolution.
The fort was active from 1776 to 1783 and then again from 1814 to 1818. Today, visitors can explore Morris Island’s maritime resources, hiking trails, and historic sites.
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All About Of Morris Island – Don’t Miss Out
History
Morris Island was long inhabited by the Saponi tribe of Native Americans. The Spanish first landed on Morris Island in 1567, but did not establish a permanent settlement.
The French established Fort Caroline in 1718, and the British took control of the island following their victory over France in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763).
The American Revolution began when colonists rebelled against British rule. In 1775, General Augustine Washington and his army occupied what is now Fort Moultrie.
He built a fortification on the island, but it was reduced to rubble during prolonged bombardment in 1776 by British sloops of war.
Major General Nathanael Greene replaced Washington as Commander-in-Chief following the American victory at Yorktown, Virginia (1781).
Climate
Greene rebuilt Fort Moultrie and maintained it until the American evacuation in 1783. Morris Island became a national park in 1906.
The fort was restored between 1935 and 1938, following years of archaeological excavation led by Dr. Eben Alexander Hyatt.
Historic sites on Morris Island include the former lighthouse, which is now a museum; General Washington’s headquarters building; Porter Hall, an officers’ dining hall; and Several cannon emplacements from the Revolutionary War.
Culture
Morris Island is home to the Morris Island Museum, which displays artifacts from the island’s history. The museum also sponsors cultural events throughout the year. Major High Points
Morris Island is located at 36.11690N 77.14820W (36°06′00″ N 77°13′30″ W). The highest point on Morris Island, Laurel Hill, has an elevation of 91 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) and lies to the south-west side of Fort Sullivan in Congaree National Park.
Other Urban Landmarks Morris Island is located in a roughly rectangular structure that extends from the eastern coast of South Carolina to Georgetown, South Carolina.
The coastline begins at Waterfront East/Horry County Pier and continues west as impoundment Freedom Neck until it reaches Five Fathom Hole, also called Deep Eddy Road).
Politics
Morris Island is located in the 1st Congressional District, which is represented by Republican Gregg Harper.
Morris Island is located in the state house district 49 seat, which was represented by Republican Jernigan Blankenship until his death on March 22nd 2018.
In 2004 Morris Island voted for the Republican ticket with a margin of 1053 votes to only 53 democrats voting.
Government Services
Morris Island is serviced by the Morris Island Library which provides access to computers, printers, and wifi.
Education
The Morristown School District operates public schools on Morris Island. Morris Island High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma program to students wishing to pursue studies in international and independent education.
The Morris Island Public Library serves as a meeting place for book lovers of all ages that can be used both at school or residence time.
A library computer is available upon request, while Internet access allows patrons access through computers throughout the District and state beyond.
Tourism
Morris Island is serviced by the Morris Island Visitor Center which offers a variety of tours and activities, such as fishing, bird watching, and explore the many historic sites.
The Boardwalk Center serves many visitors and the Second Street Dive holds a variety of events from movies to live music.
Carmel Alley is home to hundreds of vendors offering everything from fine arts and crafts, souvenirs, specialty foods like sushi or charcuterie as well as traditional homewares.
Transport
Morris Island can easily be reached by ferry from the mainland. The journey takes just over thirty minutes and provides stunning views of Charleston Harbor on the way. The population was 6,026 at the 2000 census. As of 2004 it was 7,336.
It is estimated to be 6,843 in 2013 and then growing again by 2017 -9% growth rate per year on average however some areas posted 23% higher than last 4 years (2011-2014 period).
Since 2015’s high water mark of ~6100it has been recovering slowly but still showing a significant decrease since peaking out in 2010.
Cuisine
Morris Island is known for its Southern cooking with a heavy emphasis on seafood. Several award-winning restaurants are located on the island, including Husk and The Ravenous Pig.
Antique Collectible in Charleston, SC Antique Collectibles and Curiosities (ACA) has its heart in Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, due to the size of our store; we do not have a physical location on Morris Island but you can visit us at our Cape Charles Road Store any time!
We only accept phone orders this way as well since it takes more than just computer / catalog shopping updates for us to update items displayed online so please send those listings if possible!
Conclusion
Morris Island is a historic spit of land in South Carolina that served as the capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. It is now a National Monument and part of the Charleston Maritime National Historical Park.
FAQs
1.What Are The Most Popular Attractions On Morris Island?
Ans: The most popular attraction on Morris Island is Fort Moultrie, which was active from 1776 to 1783 and again from 1814 to 1818. Other attractions include the maritime resources accessible on the island, hiking trails, and historic sites.
2.How Do I Get To The Island?
Ans: Visitors can reach Morris Island by ferry from Charleston, SC. The trip takes approximately 60 minutes.
For those who want to stay on site overnight they can go through a permitting process with the National Park Service and must provide proof of their accommodations in advance (see more below.)
There are several hotels in downtown Charleston that offer marina housing for visitors staying at Fort Moultrie or traveling sightseeing and exploring the area.
3.Where Can I Find More Information On How To Get Here?
Ans: To learn about visiting Morris Island, visit their official website.
4.Do I Need A Permit To Visit The Island?
To use Fort Moultrie’s facilities, visitors must obtain a “Maritime Activity Permit” from the Charleston Maritime Center. The cost of this tour varies by day and year but costs approximately $20 for five days in 2017 (1 May through 5 July) and around $200 per week during other months.
They do not offer permits on event weekends throughout January or February so come prepared if you are planning to visit during these months.
The permit is good for 24 hours on the island and you can use it any time of day or night (including overnight.)
5.Where Do I Park?
You must have off-site parking for your car. Visitors can park in the free lot located on Walnut and Broad streets, or they might want to consider using an alternative service like Zipcar that also charges a daily fee plus gas depending on how long you stay (there are frequent shuttles from downtown Charleston’s subway system which is convenient if you plan to spend more than two hours outside Fort Moultrie.)
There aren’t any fees associated with parking here and it should be relatively safe as visitors do not walk on the island in daylight hours.
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