As far as tiny towns in South Carolina go, there are certainly places much smaller than Awendaw, located in northern Charleston County along coastal Highway 17. But not many (probably none) of those smaller towns have a history that rivals this come-as-you-are, unassuming little community.
Awendaw became world famous in 1989, when Hurricane Hugo nearly wiped the tiny village right off the map (literally).
The photo below shows the Awendaw Creek bridge, which was completely wiped out by the storm's 19.4-foot surge. It would take years for the community to bounce back. But, Awendaw, and the ancestors of her people have faced horrible things in the past and they've done it with grace under fire.
Many people (even Awendaw residents) don't realize it, but Awendaw was first settled back in 1696 by people from Salem, Massachusetts who were fleeing the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials.
The paranoia that swept over Salem from 1692 to 1693 resulted in 200 people being accused of witchcraft. Twenty were known to be executed for the crime. It was a tumultuous time, and it's easy to understand why people would have wanted to move away from Salem. The coastal region of what would be come South Carolina became their refuge; specifically... Awendaw.
Today, Awendaw is one of the most laid-back and accepting communities along the coast. Many native South Carolinians and tourists passing through via Highway 17 can attest to how friendly the town is from their interactions at the town's famous eatery called Seewee Restaurant.
Others have found Awendaw as they made their way to the Bull Island Ferry to visit the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge and the picturesque and lonesome boneyard beach on Bull Island.
Awendaw has a number of other businesses that offer visitors a unique experience. Charleston Zip Line Adventures, located in Awendaw, gets visitors up into the treetops for canopy fun in a pine forest.
And Awendaw Green doles out a music experience you'll never forget with their subtly raucous, year-round, outdoor barn jams that bring the community together for good, clean, fellowship and fun every Wednesday night.
Awendaw's history of being settled by folks fresh from the Salem Witch Trials is a sleeper of a secret no more. Had you heard this interesting history of one of our tiny South Carolina towns before? We'd love to know!
For another unexpected South Carolina tiny town history, keep reading here about the smallest beach town in the state.
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