There’s A Little Slice Of Paradise Hiding Right Here In South Carolina… And You’ll Want To Visit
If you want true paradise, then just turn your head in any direction in South Carolina. Cypress swamps, breathtaking historic plantations, long range mountain views and lush lowcountry landscapes abound in the Palmetto State.
So much that when we say, “there’s a little slice of paradise hiding right here in South Carolina…and you’ll want to visit,” what we really mean is if you’re standing in South Carolina and you want paradise it’s all around you. But you already knew that.
In the Town of Mt. Pleasant, turn your head toward the area known as the "Old Village," and you'll find the Pickett Bridge Recreation Area and the old Pitt Street Bridge. This slice of Mt. Pleasant paradise is an unassuming sliver of an oasis with views to forever and back.
Located at the end of a street in a quiet residential area of Mt. Pleasant's Old Village, the area called Pickett Bridge Recreation Area and also known as the Pitt Street Bridge was dedicated in honor of the town's beloved doctor and his wife, Otis M. Pickett and Mrs. Ruth Pickett.
According to one source, the original plank and barrel bridge on this spot was used by the crew of the H.L. Hunley as they made their way from the mainland to the north end of Sullivan's Island to test pilot the new submarine.
In 1899, more and more people were making their way to Sullivan's Island so the plank and barrel bridge was replaced with a structure that could support a new trolley that could carry visitors across. Thirty years later a steel drawbridge was built not far away that would allow cars to cross.
Remains of the bridge supports are still standing like South Carolina's own version of a watered down Stonehenge staggering a short distance into the intercoastal waterway. You can't miss them.
The locals love the park and treat it like their own backyard. In this photo, some townsfolk have gathered to watch the many 4th of July Fireworks displays around the Lowcountry. On a clear day from this vantage point you might be able to see fireworks displays from at least five different towns.
Pickett Park, a.k.a. the Pitt Street Bridge, in Mt. Pleasant, SC is a hidden gem in the Palmetto State. The physical address is 990 Pitt St, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464. When you visit, please remember this park is in a quiet residential neighborhood and has limited parking.
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
