Edisto State Park, 8377 State Cabin Road, Edisto Beach

Source document Quoted word for word from HALS SC-5. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Edisto Beach State Park is significant because it represents how the Civilian Conservation Corps left a lasting mark on the landscape. The landscape at Edisto Beach State Park enhances its significance further in this regard by being one of sixteen state parks in South Carolina constructed by the Description: Edisto Beach State Park is a acre site bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Big Bay Creek, and Scott Creek on nearly every side within the coastal plain region of South Carolina. Small wetlands and salt marshes are present throughout the site, as is beachfront and a maritime forest. The park is very forested with native trees; the majority of the trees being laurel and live oaks, cabbage palmetto, magnolia, and red cedar. Evergreen and salt-tolerant trees also dominate the space.

Other native plants in the park include dune grass, gall berry, yaupon holly, inkberry, wax myrtle and Spanish bayonet. There are specific plant species growing in the area which garner preservation: incised groove bur, sea oats, and shell mound sageretia (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, The park is divided into two distinct sections. The first boasts one and a half miles of beachfront front, while the other sits further inland and takes advantage of the salt marshes and maritime forest native to the area. While the first section, in close proximity to the beach, is primarily used for recreational activities with picnicking areas, beach access and camping facilities, the second is mainly used for camping with camping plots, furnished cabins, and hiking trails.

The park opened to the public in June of after being laid out and constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a unit created as a result of Roosevelt s New Deal legislation. When the park was originally erected the landscape looked much different than it does when visiting today. The section fronting the beach originally boasted a bathhouse, five cabins, restrooms, picnic areas, a maintenance building and park office. The large bathhouse was to be the focal point of this area with picnic areas and restrooms interspersed through the landscape. Upon entering the gated site from SC the contact station was immediately on the right. The visitor continued down a long drive running parallel to the shore with only a wooded section separating the area from the ocean.

The restrooms were near this drive on the right and directly down from EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 2 those, closer to the water, was a picnic area including a pavilion and beach volleyball area. From this point, the road split; the right led to a round-about in front of the bathhouse and the left continued to the vacation cabins and a parking area. The five original vacation cabins were placed facing the beach and among the wooded section in between the road and beach. Aside from a couple brick fire pits and a densely overgrown trail, there is no remaining documentation for the original layout of the maritime forest. (Measured Drawing).

The architectural style of the structures constructed by the CCC for the park (and much of what is present today) has been termed National Park Service Rustic Architecture or parkitecture. These structures followed the guidelines for the CCC set by the National Park Service in the textbook Park Structures and Facilities and additional volumes re-circulated as Park and Recreation Structures. Much of the built environment at the park utilized unique craftsmanship with the use of heavy timbers and frame construction. The buildings are simple in form, typically sticking to definable geometric shapes, and are constructed of native materials and built and painted to blend in with the natural environment of the park.

(Mielnik, Of interest to the CCC during the creation of the park as well as the National Park Service today is the Indian Mound, as termed in a report by Thomas Rutledge on the work done at the site. This mound was discovered to be a pile of mainly oyster shells with other discarded materials from Native americans who originally inhabited the area. At this point in time plans were laid out to utilize this area for a biological laboratory for the mound, fossils, and Native American paraphernalia.

A biological laboratory and trail leading to the area were conceived however the only documented involvement of the CCC at this site was the erection of a bulkhead around the mound to mitigate erosion complaints (Rutledge, Today, this trail is a 3.6 mile path winding through the salt marsh and maritime forest, ending at the Edisto Beach State Park Environmental Learning Center, the realized biological laboratory. Much of the original CCC foundation work for the park was significantly damaged following a hurricane in This hurricane caused the layout of the park to be significantly reworked to accommodate the damages and prepare for future hurricanes.

Two of the five cabins survived the hurricane, although they did not survive unscathed, and were moved to their current location in the Live Oak Campground in the maritime forest. Many of the facilities were rebuilt or reconstructed in a similar style to the buildings constructed originally. The described layout for the beach area was reconstructed to promote the original feel of the park. In the years following the hurricane, additional cabins were constructed in the Live Oak Campground to match architecturally with the renovations done to the original cabins following the hurricane (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 3 In the years following the park has seen the greatest changes and enhancements.

An Environmental Learning Center and dock were opened in Additional residences were constructed and trail improvements were made. Various camping facilities were constructed for the Live Oak campground where the original cabins were moved to. Following the trail system was added to and several hiking trails were cleared of overgrowth (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, Today the park has evolved from what was originally laid out by the CCC in as necessity to protect from natural disasters and accommodate the growth of the camping site. The beach area still contains the general layout as constructed by the CCC as well as a significant amount of the original structures installed during the early years of construction. The general location of these areas has remained constant.

However, due to the stresses of the climate and the need to expand, the landscape itself contains little evidence of early CCC evolvement. The parking has been added to at the beach area and 64 camping sites have been developed in the wooded areas. The maritime forest section has been further developed since the involvement of the Remaining evidence suggests that the CCC did little to this area aside from the erection of fire pits and other small structures. The main development here has occurred in the more recent past including the development of the Live Oak Campground where the two original CCC cabins were moved to following the hurricane in 53 campsites are present in this area.

Docks protrude onto the creek and trails wind throughout the forest immersing visitors to the park in nature ("Edisto Beach State Park."). Despite the changes that have occurred throughout the park the footprint of CCC s work is visible to this day. The group of men who joined the ranks of the CCC in response to the nation-wide hardships shored up the local economy by providing the necessary work required for revitalization. Their hard work and level of craftsmanship helped create a park of rustic charms and grandiose scenery that continues to contribute to the splendor of the South Carolina s state parks to this day.

History: The creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps in as a result of New Deal legislation, helped satisfy the desperate need to provide work to the vast numbers of unemployed men as well as satiate a growing desire to travel (Mielnik, Edisto Beach State Park, one of sixteen state parks designed by the CCC in South Carolina between and was the second beachfront park laid out; construction began in February of and it was opened to the public in June of The land for the park was donated by the Edisto Beach Corporation for the purpose of creating a state park. The park was developed to showcase the natural beauty of Edisto Island and provide access to the public so that they may enjoy the natural splendor.

During the trying times of the Great Depression the park s camping areas became a tourist destination as it provided EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 4 an affordable getaway (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, Company of the CCC was responsible for molding the land donated by the Edisto Beach Corporation into a state park. They followed the guidelines set by the National Park Service in publications in and dictating state park layout guidelines (Mielnik, They laid out all of the necessary elements for the land to function as a park including the construction of five cabins, a bathhouse, restrooms, a maintenance building, caretaker s residence, a park office, an entrance gate and picnic areas.

They also constructed the supporting infrastructure like the water and sewer systems. Following the completion of the CCC s work the park was opened to the public in June of and welcomed over visitors in that first month (Edisto Beach State Park -- History Notes). On August 11, the park was extensively damaged when a hurricane hit Edisto beach. While it was reported that there was over of damage from the hurricane, the General Assembly only allotted for repairs to Edisto. (Mielnik, Three of the five cabins erected by the CCC were unrepairable; the other two were restored and moved to their current location at the Live Oak Campground in the maritime forest.

The infrastructure systems were uprooted and many of the supporting structures were either entirely destroyed or sustained significant damage. Not only did the hurricane have lasting effects on the built environment at Edisto Beach, but also the natural landscape. A significant amount of the trees sustained damage or were blown down and areas of the beach were entirely washed out to sea (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, The hurricane of forced the rebuilding of many of the significant structures as well as the redesigning of the destroyed landscape. The buildings that were still usable were restored, the two remaining cabins were moved from the beach to the maritime forest and fireplaces, picnic tables and shelters, restrooms, and the bulkhead were entirely rebuilt.

However, this rebuilding was done by private companies and not the CCC (Edisto Beach State Park -- History Notes). The park was closed until to allow for rebuilding following the hurricane. Interestingly enough, after renovations were completed the park was not renting cabins due to the national defense blackout. And in (and possibly earlier) the United States Coast Guard utilized the camp for coastal patrol and closed the area to the public. Following the termination of World War II, the park was reopened to the public (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, Once again, in February the park closed. This time it was for eight years to comply with South Carolina s laws involving segregation.

The park was finally reopened for good in and has evolved throughout the years of remodeling EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 5 and renovating into the park visited today (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, Since Edisto Beach State Park has seen its greatest rejuvenation. The Edisto Beach State Park Environmental Learning Center and attached dock, additional management residence, and major trail improvements all took place in In the park welcomed the addition of two ADA certified cabins. In a comfort station was erected at the Live Oak Campground in the maritime forest and the comfort station and parking situation at the Beach Campground also received a much needed face lift.

A boat ramp and dock were replaced in the Live Oak campground and the two original cabins were renovated; additional cabins were also built at this time. Trail improvements and overall revitalization of the site happened at this time as well (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, Today, the forested park is home to many different species of flora and diverse landscapes ranging from beach, to forest, to wetlands. There are several species of native trees in the area, including live oaks, cabbage palmetto, magnolias, laurels, and evergreens.

The array of plant life and landscape types lends itself well to the feel of the park which boasts a casual, beachy atmosphere and a calm, secluded, wooded feel (Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan, The differences in landscape also provide ample opportunity for the visitor to experience several forms of entertainment, be it lounging on the beach, to exploring the Indian Mound along the trail, or enjoying a campfire at a primitive campsite. As evidenced from the extensive use of the property, the site has evolved significantly from its grand opening in As a direct result of the hurricane, much of the original landscape mapped out and constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps no longer remains.

However, the State Park Rangers who manage the property desire to bring the focus back, as much as possible, to the era of CCC Edisto Beach State Park. The original CCC landscape is extremely valued and seen as the foundation for the park visitors utilize today. What does remain of the original CCC designed landscape will continue to be preserved for future generations to experience the park.

Source document Quoted word for word from HALS SC-5. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

"Edisto Beach State Park." South Carolina State Park. Accessed March 25, Edisto Beach State Park -- History Notes. State Commission of Forestry -- Annual Reports, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, Edisto Beach State Park General Management Plan. Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Island. Historic Resources of South Carolina State Parks. May 02, National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 6 National Park Service, Washington, Historic Structure Documentation Report. January Edisto Beach State Park Cabin 3, Rehabilitation, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, Mielnik, Tara. New Deal, New Landscape: The Civilian Conservation Corps and South Carolina's State Parks.

Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, Nylund, Rowena. Memorandum. April 20, Edisto Beach Bathhouse, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, Rutledge, Thomas. Project Reports on the Edisto Beach State Park Project. South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia,

Source document Quoted word for word from HALS SC-5. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Shannon Devlin and Lauren Hoopes Masters Program in Historic Preservation Clemson University/College of Charleston 292 Meeting Street, Charleston SC March 22, Entry HALS Challenge: Documenting Landscapes of the New Deal EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 7 General landscape view of the beach section of Edisto Beach State Park; of special note is the palmetto trees which were thought to have been planted by the (Shannon Devlin, View of the entrance loop leading to the bathhouse. Both were laid out by the CCC and retain a great deal of original form. (Shannon Devlin, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 8 Palmetto trees were planted in rows, believed to have been planted by the in between the bathhouse and beach.

(Shannon Devlin, The bathhouse, constructed by the CCC in a rustic architecture, has been altered throughout the years but still retains much of its original character. (Shannon Devlin, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 9 The general landscape layout of the Live Oak Campground. (Shannon Devlin, Cabin 1, pictured above, is one of the two remaining cabins that were constructed by the While it has been renovated, it still retains the general feel of the original cabin. (Shannon Devlin, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 10 Cabin 2, pictured here, is the only other remaining original cabin. (Shannon Devlin, Image of a modern picnic shelter near the beach. (Shannon Devlin, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO.

PAGE 11 SP 8, Edisto Beach, Beach Development Plan, Section A (National Park Service, Edisto Beach State Park, Plot Plan, Cabin Area #1 (National Park Service, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 12 Edisto Beach, Bathhouse Area Development (National Park Service, Edisto Beach, SP 8, Contact Station at Entrance to Beach Area (National Park Service, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 13 Edisto Beach, SP 8, Entrance to Recreation Area (Bathhouse, Picnic Shelters, and Cabins. (National Park Service, Edisto Beach State Park, SP 8, Bathhouse. (National Park Service, EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 14 Aerial View Edisto Beach Bathhouse. (South Carolina State Park Service, June Edisto Bathhouse and Beach. (South Carolina State Park Service, undated). EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO.

PAGE 15 Edisto Bathhouse. (South Carolina State Park Service, undated). Edisto Volleyball. (South Carolina State Park Service, undated). EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 16 Edisto Cabin. (South Carolina State Park Service, undated). Edisto Shelter. (South Carolina State Park Service, undated). EDISTO BEACH STATE PARK HALS NO. PAGE 17 Edisto Gatehouse. (South Carolina State Park Service, undated).