Ridgeland; SC
Dirt roads,
gates, fences and no trespassing signs are like a magnet to me. Perhaps one day this curiosity will get me in
trouble, but I have found if one carries a camera and a clip-board most folks
assume you have a reason to be there - or have enough of a doubt that they are
willing to talk. Conversation can be
quickly turned to local history and soon you find yourself an invited guest with
budding friendships.
Who wouldn't wonder what lies behind the
gate show above? Well, it is a private
hunting camp established in 1910. The
property – an extensive tract of land was purchased by the chairman of Standard
Oil, and has served as a gathering and hunting ground for his family and
descendants since. Log books record guests and significant events since.
And as you can see, I
had a rather enthusiastic greeting from a few of the residents.
Most of the
structures here were built and furnished prior to World War I. Numerous generations of horses and dogs have
been bred and raised here, and grounds-keepers have come and gone. There are stories about some trees that were
logged that still had live civil war ordinance in them that exploded while
running the logs through a saw-mill, and finding cannon balls on the property
is not that uncommon.
The cabins
themselves are finely appointed, with spacious bathrooms, large living rooms
and smallish kitchens. There is a full
cafeteria right next door though, so not much cooking is done in the cabins.
Among centuries
old live oaks on the main property stands the finest specimen of a magnolia
tree I have ever seen. The cabins were
built from logs milled on the property.
I counted
thirty odd hound dogs and at least two dozen horses. I am told that each year quail are purchased
and released for the various parties that come here to hunt, and many fields are planted with the quail's favorite plants in an attempt to keep them hanging around for the next hunting
party.
Tomorrow I am meeting with one of
the grounds-keepers who is going to take me back to the earthworks constructed
here during the civil war. And I am
looking forward to being in Beaufort Monday when it won’t take a twelve mile
journey through dirt roads to reach internet !!
Have a great
Saturday !!
David
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