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Beaufort

SOUTH CAROLINA

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White sand beaches and cool ocean breezes make Beaufort one of the Lowcountry's most popular tourist destinations. Beautiful waterfront vistas give way to colorful sunrises and sunsets. The historic architecture of the town's homes and fascinating shops has been restored to its past glory. Buy your own fresh seafood which is brought in by local fishermen, or let someone else do the cooking for you at one of the many fine restaurants. A strong Gullah heritage can be heard in the speech and music of some locals. Explore on your own with a rental boat or kayak, or take a guided tour of the salt-marsh ecosystem of the Lowcountry. A landmark lighthouse on Hunting Island is a great day trip for sun and fun combined with a little history. Film directors are seduced by Beaufort's charm again and again, while author Pat Conroy calls it home. From golf to fishing, leisure boating to sunbathing, this seaside town has it all.

Beaufort Facts

Fact 1: Tabby Cement, a mixture made from lime, sand and oyster shells, makes up many structures in Beaufort. It has been said that Beaufort has the largest number of tabby ruins in the United States. The Historic Foundation of Beaufort has placed the structures on its endangered resources list.

Fact 2: You can always tell when you're near the South Carolina Coast. The silvery-gray threadlike masses draped in trees are a sure sign! Related to the pineapple, Spanish Moss grows throughout the eastern half of South Carolina and can be found from Virginia to Argentina! Home to a number of creatures, including chiggers, snakes and bats, the Spanish Moss is also used in nest making.

Fact 3: The Hollywood of the South? You can almost say that! Many popular movies have been filmed in Beaufort including The Great Santini, The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, Forrest Gump, The Jungle Book and Something to Talk About. The home located at 1 Laurens Street is known as Tidalholm and is a private residence. The spacious home was used as the Meecham's family home in the Great Santini and was also featured in The Big Chill.

Fact 4: Beaufort is a great spot for lovebugs. Literally! The lovebug, also known as the honeymoon fly, is an invader from Central America and swarms over Beaufort from April until May and September to October each year. Mowed, rotting grass along highways provides the ideal breeding ground for the bugs. The name comes from the fact that the lovebugs mate while coupled in mid-air – as high as 1500 feet in flight! No need to worry about these critters, they do not sting, bite or carry disease.

Fact 5: Can you repeat that just one more time? Gullah is a creole form of English and is indigenous to the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia. Another name for the language and culture of the black Sea Islanders is Geechee. Most of Gullah vocabulary is of English origin but the grammar and major elements of pronunciation come from many West African languages. The words goober (peanut), gumbo and yam have Gullah roots.

Fact 6: From professional boxers to acclaimed writers, Beaufort has raised them all! Joe Frazier, born in Beaufort, became a pro boxer after winning a gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Author Pat Conroy was not born in Beaufort but calls the place home. A graduate of the Citadel, the Military Academy of South Carolina in Charleston, Conroy returned home to teach at Beaufort High School. Eventually, Conroy wrote best selling books including The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides and Beach Music.

Fact 7: And exactly how do you say the name of your city? Some confusion exists over the pronunciation of Beaufort, South Carolina partly due to the fact that just one state over lies Beaufort, North Carolina. South Carolina's Beaufort is pronounced "BYOO-fert" and North Carolina's Beaufort is pronounced "BOH-fert".

Fact 8: Beaufort Stew, also known as Frogmore Stew, is a culinary delight of the South Carolina coast. The recipe is less than 60 years old, but has brought enough pleasure to last an eternity! Richard Gay of the Gay Seafood Company claimed to have invented this "lowcountry boil" while on National Guard duty. Well received among locals and picked up a mainstay at the Steamer Restaurant, Gay campaigned to have this concoction of shrimp, corn and sausage declared the official seafood dish of SC, but to no avail.

Fact 9: Have you seen the ghost of ... anyone? Well, you might just see one while in the Beaufort area. Beaufort County is full of folklore and ghost stories. One story recounts the tale of a dwarf named Gauche. Even though no one is quite sure how Gauche departed from this world, it has been obvious to some that he still wanders this place. It has been said that his ghost inhabits "The Castle" located at 411 Craven Street.

Fact 10: Shrimp is to Beaufort what Apple Pie is to America! That's why every year this city hosts its annual Shrimp Festival. Local restaurants gather to offer samples of shrimp recipes – sure to entice your appetite! Ecology displays provide an educational opportunity for everyone to learn about the natural marine resources that Beaufort has to offer! For the exercise enthusiast, compete in the 5K walk/run – it's a good excuse to eat even more!