Posted in South Carolina
August 23, 2020
Walk Among The Ruins Of A Colonial-Era Ghost Town At Dorchester In South Carolina
With oodles of historic sites to visit, the Lowcountry of South Carolina contains a treasure trove of wonder for those enthralled by the history of South Carolina – especially from the Colonial period and moving forward.
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Part of the South Carolina State Parks inventory of preserved historical sites, Colonial Dorchester holds the remains of a colonial-era ghost town that was abandoned at the start of the Revolutionary War.

St. George’s Anglican Church (pictured in this illustration) was completed in 1719. The bell tower in the illustration, however, wasn't added until 1751.

Once Charleston fell to the British, so too, did Dorchester. Eventually the British were chased out of town but they burned the church on their way out. Along with the town, the church was rebuilt. Both were soon abandoned though. Of the church, only the bell tower remains.

Visitors can walk freely among the ruins of this historic site. According to one source, the fort never had an official name during the war and was dubbed Fort Dorchester much later by locals.

It is considered one of the most well-preserved tabby forts constructed from oyster shells in America and is well worth a visit when you're in the Lowcountry.


Visitors can also drill deeper into the hidden past by attending one of the archaeology sessions. Dorchester is and has for quite some time been a very active archaeological dig.


Rumor has it that when the town's people left Colonial Dorchester centuries ago, many moved to Summerville — and they took with them many of the bricks used in the burned church to build anew in the next town over.
The entrance to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site is found just west of Old Trolley Road in Summerville, a mere 26 miles northwest of another historic site in South Carolina: the Battery at White Point Gardens in downtown Charleston.
Colonial Dorchester is open year-round. The hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. during daylight savings time and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. the remainder of the year. A small admission fee is required for access. Learn more from the official website for South Carolina State Parks.
Address: 300 State Park Rd, Summerville, SC 29485, USA