At the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, the long-discussed creation of a small section of the palmetto log fort, garrisoned by Col. William Moultrie and his men on June 28, 1776, was approved in a 6-1 vote. This authorizes SC250 Charleston, the steering committee for events occurring in Charleston County celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, to proceed with construction of the display atop the mound behind Stith Park. Construction, maintenance and removal of the model fort will be funded by SC250 Charleston.
To accommodate the display, the Town of Sullivan’s Island will make several improvements to the town’s infrastructure that will last well beyond the life of the exhibit. These include improved walkways to the top of the mound and enhanced safety features. The cost of these town improvements comes in under the $22,000 remaining from the total of $50,000 budgeted this year to celebrate the 250th.
Challenges still remain, especially if the project is to be finished by Carolina Day 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. As this is written, there are fewer than 125 days remaining, and the hope was to have the exhibit completed well before June 28. SC250 Charleston already has an architect and professional engineer as part of its team, but the task now is to find a construction company with the resources and time to accomplish the job.
The palmetto logs have already been furnished by Dominion Energy and are awaiting their transformation into this public exhibit, which will serve as an educational resource reminding us of the important role Sullivan’s Island played in the founding of our country. As SC250 Charleston Chairman Brett Bennett has said repeatedly in presentations before town committees and council, this project is not a foregone conclusion. If a construction company cannot be found, costs are too high or funding is inadequate, it may still not become a reality. But the first step has always been approval of a site by Town Council.
Despite detailed presentations by SC250 Charleston to Town Council and the Public Facilities Committee, and repeated responses to questions from the public, a great deal of misinformation about the project continues to circulate. Even the council vote last Tuesday has been criticized.
There was strong public opposition to some of the earlier proposed locations for the display. Simply put, no one wanted it in their backyard. But since a location was found that is not in anyone’s backyard — namely atop the mound — the tide of public opinion has shifted. One resident who spoke two council meetings ago had initially opposed the site adjacent to Battery Gadsden because of the impact it would have had on his family. After learning about the mound location, he spoke in support of the project. Council member Latham said last Tuesday she has been receiving comments 2 to 1 in favor of the location. Yet critics continue to raise the same arguments.
- There will be an increase in taxes. No, there will not. The project is funded by SC250 Charleston and a one-time line item in the town’s budget to celebrate the 250th. There is no plan to continue that funding.
- There are safety issues. These have been addressed. A geological study of the mound led to recommendations that are being followed. The expertise of a professional engineer will ensure sound structural integrity. The impression that pedestrians walking up the driveway will encounter traffic as if crossing Interstate 26 is false. Only two ADA-compliant parking spaces are planned at the top of the mound, with limited access. Pedestrians will use a gravel walkway adjacent to, but separated from, the driveway.
- There will be a negative effect on the infrastructure project scheduled for Stith Park. This is not accurate. There will be no direct effect of one project on the other.
- The project will increase stormwater runoff into Stith Park. The palmetto log exhibit will be pervious and will not increase runoff.
- There are liability concerns. Adequate liability coverage will be in force, and legal agreements among the involved parties will address this issue.
- Neighbors will be impacted by the lighting planned for the project. The selected location is well away from homes and will use only low-voltage illumination, no more intrusive than typical landscape lighting.
- There will be hordes of visitors, severely aggravating traffic, congestion and parking. Busy summer weekends already test island residents’ patience. However, Charleston has been designated one of only four “signature cities” for the 250th anniversary and the only one in the South. Tourism to the area, including Sullivan’s Island, is and will be promoted.
Fort Moultrie typically receives about 51,000 visitors a year. A typical Carolina Day celebration brings 800 to 1,000 attendees. This year, national parks related to the Revolutionary War have reported about a fourfold increase in visitors. Our park anticipates an increase as well, possibly 4,000 to 10,000 visitors during the week leading up to Carolina Day and July 4.
How many of those visitors will come specifically because of a palmetto log exhibit on the mound? Likely very few. Some may stop to take a look, but this project is not another theme park. Overall, there will probably be fewer visitors coming specifically for the palmetto log display than for the Polar Plunge, St. Patrick’s Day or July Fourth celebrations.
This is an opportunity to celebrate our unique and important history. It offers an educational experience for residents, children and grandchildren alike — a chance to see, in some small way, how Col. Moultrie and his 435 men defeated the British on June 28, 1776, and helped secure our independence.