Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Historic Significance

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site is located on a marshy point off the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina. This 664-acre park preserves the original site of the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas, established in 1670.

The park features an interpretive trail that winds through the original settlement area, where visitors can see archaeological excavations and reconstructed colonial structures.

Maritime History

A highlight is the replica 17th-century trading ship called the Adventure, which is docked at the site and open for tours.

Animal Forest

Charles Towne Landing is also home to the Animal Forest, a 22-acre natural habitat zoo showcasing species that were indigenous to Carolina at the time of settlement. Visitors can observe animals such as black bears, bison, pumas, and various bird species as they walk along the trail.

Natural Beauty

The grounds include 80 acres of gardens, featuring thousands of azaleas, camellias, and live oak trees, some of which are several hundred years old. There are 7 miles of trails and boardwalks throughout the park, offering opportunities for walking, jogging, and cycling.

Educational Exhibits

An interactive museum in the Visitor Center provides exhibits on the early colonial period and the establishment of the Carolina colony. The park also hosts occasional living history demonstrations, including cannon firings and colonial craft demonstrations.

Charles Towne Landing serves as an important educational resource, offering insights into the early colonial history of South Carolina and the interactions between European settlers, Native Americans, and enslaved Africans.