5 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Charleston, SC

Happy Friday!

I am looking forward to a relaxing night tonight, resting up for an exciting Saturday and Sunday!

What are you up to this weekend?

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Monday marked the 25 year anniversary of Hurricane Hugo.  I was almost 4 years old, so the memories are hazy, but we hunkered down with family in Moncks Corner for the storm.

My grandparents home on Sullivan's had minimal damage, but the Ben Sawyer Bridge collapsed so getting to and from home was a bit of a pickle for them.  Our home on James Island also remained undamaged.  

It was a neat time in Charleston, obviously tragic in the aftermath, but there is something special about a community pulling together to rebuild.  

(A fact I find interesting: Of the 35 deaths from Hugo in Charleston, 6 were from heart attacks.)

Charleston was much smaller back then, it was a time when families around town knew eachother and it remains a common bond shared between natives. 

The "come yahs" didn't start arriving in full force until after Hugo, when real estate was obviously at an all time low.

I've mentioned before that my mom's best friend is a Charleston author and tour guide.  If you are interested in more facts like those I've listed below, she is an excellent resource!  I love learning about Charleston and thinking of mine and K's grandparents growing up together downtown.

Anyway!  Here are 5 things you probably didn't know about Charleston.

The Storm by Jim Booth

Did you know that in the 1930's there was a zoo in Hampton Park?

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Did you know that Frank Abagnale (Catch Me If You Can) lives in Charleston, SC?

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Did you know that the original city plans of Charlestown were based on those of Bridgetown, the capitol of Barbados?

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Did you know that brightly colored historical houses downtown were painted so to keep the "boo hags" away (Gullah Culture)?

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Did you know that the first (documented) game of golf played in the United States was in Charleston, specifically in a field at the corner of Bull and Pitt Streets?

Do you have any unique history to share?