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.