History of Awendaw Location and Map Photo Gallery |
| AOfficial Website for the Town of Awendaw Copyright © 2007 |
History of the Town of Awendaw |
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Town of Awendaw South Carolina
The Town of Awendaw was named for the Sewee Indian Tribe that once lived in the area. This
bountiful area has been inhabited for more than 4,000 years. Awendaw is a community
located 15 miles north of Mt. Pleasant on Highway 17. In 1709 the Sewee Barony, later
renamed the Awendaw Barony, was created from approximately 12,000 acres of the area and
made into a plantation. George Washington visited the plantation during his Southern Tour in
1791. The Francis Marion National Forest and the Buck Hall Recreational Area have
preserved much of the area and its rich history. The 1999 Comprehensive Plan for the Town
of Awendaw offers an extensive history of the Town.
The courtship of the Town of Awendaw began in November 1988. During the four-year
courtship, Awendaw withstood many trials. A community-wide meeting was held at the Old
Porcher Elementary School, with hardly any standing room. An organizational structure was
initiated and community cohesiveness, never before experienced, developed during the
subsequent months. Monthly meetings were held for information and public input. During this
process there were many ups and downs. To incorporate, rules and regulations of the Justice
Department had to be followed. Feasibility studies had to be completed and the ideas must be
sold to a majority of the property owners.
Interrupted by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the process was revived in the summer of 1990. Two
incorporation attempts were unsuccessful, but the citizens never gave up. The third and final
try met the approval of the Secretary of State and the Justice Department. The certificate of
Incorporation was received May 15, 1992. The election process soon followed.
The magic day finally arrived. On August 18, 1992, the Town of Awendaw was established.
Elected as Mayor, was Rev. William H. “Bill” Alston. Following graduation from Laing High
School, Mayor Alston served in the U.S. Navy for three years. He is a graduate of Allen
University where he received much of his religious training. A retiree of the Charleston Naval
Shipyard, Mayor Alston has led the Town since its inception and continues to be a strong
leader.
Elected to the Town’s first council were Mrs. Jewel Coan, Mrs. Miriam Green, Rev. Bryan
McNeal, and Mr. Lewis Porcher.
Since the original annexation, the town has grown steadily and as of January, 200 the
population of the incorporated limits has increased to 1,200.
The Town’s more recent history can be observed in the historic buildings, churches and
cemeteries. These structures are an important part of the Town’s charm and should be
preserved in order to maintain the small town, rural character of Awendaw.
Each fall the Town of Awendaw holds the Blue Crab Festival, which features local blue crabs
caught in the waters of the Town. The festival draws seafood lovers from the entire state to
the Town to enjoy steamed or deep-fried blue crabs and other Lowcountry favorites, such as
Frogmore Stew. The profits from the festival go toward college scholarships for local high
school students.
Official Website for the Town of Awendaw Copyright © 2007
History