Seniors Visit Scenic Walterboro

Seniors learn that Walterboro “The Front Porch of the Low Country,” was founded in 1783 as a summer retreat for local planters looking to escape their malaria-ridden, Lowcountry plantations. This seat of Colleton County has a population around 5,300.

The original settlement was located on a hilly area, covered with pine and hickory trees and named “Hickory Valley”. Two of the earliest settlers were Paul and Jacob Walter, thus the name of the town.

Do we grow rice here in the US? The Collation County Rice Festival celebrates the county’s history with the rice crop, the staple crop until the Civil War. After that it still impacted the county.

Seniors, if you enjoy dogs, the Festival Dog Show is a major draw. Bring your bike along and tour the Low Country on a 32 mile ride.

 Seniors Discover The Great Swamp Sanctuary

The Great Swamp Sanctuary comprises 800 acres of braided-creek hardwood flats and bottomland swamp. It has boardwalks, walking trails, bicycle paths, a canoe/kayak trail, observation areas, and a 10,000-square-foot Discovery Center is planned.

When it is completely finished the sanctuary will be the most significant nature-based facility in the lower part of South Carolina. The sanctuary is great for viewing natural lowcountry wildlife and birds. Spanish moss drips from Cypress trees and wildflowers abound as you pass a beaver pond, duck pond and butterfly garden.

Colleton State Park offers senior visitors choices to enjoy the outdoors that include fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching, geocaching, biking and of course, picnicking.

 Seniors Find Intriguing Small Town In Walterboro

Seniors can visit The Slave Relic Museum that houses many of the relics slaves made and used from 1750-1860s and the South Carolina Artisan Center that represents over 300 of the State’s finest juried artists and craftsmen, demonstrations and exhibits.

The Walterboro Army Airfield served as a training ground for  World War II Army airmen including a group of the Tuskegee Airmen. In May, 1997, a monument honoring their bravery was placed at the site. This was also the site of a POW camp and base hospital. The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial highlights this history.

Ever see dogwoods in full bloom? An awesome sight. The Colleton County Courthouse was constructed in 1822 and is a classic. The self-guided historic walking tour takes you through Walterboro’s intriguing past.

Walterboro has two historic districts: Historic Hickory Valley, a largely residential area with homes dating between 1814 and 1929 and the Walterboro Historic District, which covers the historic businesses. Both districts having listings in the National Register of Historic Places.

Enjoy your visit. -jeb