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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Whale Branch

SC PICTURE PROJECT 1 Comment

SC Picture Project / Beaufort County / Whale Branch

Photographer Lamar shares: “Whale Branch is a picturesque river that winds northeasterly from the Broad River to the Coosaw River. The Branch crosses under US 21 at Seabrook, which has a broad marsh and lovely grass islands along both of its shores.”

Whale Branch

Lamar Nix of Seabrook, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

“The origin of the name Whale Branch is unknown; however, dolphins are readily seen in its waters, causing me to speculate that early settlers may have believed the broaching dolphins to be whales. I am especially fond of the small islands of spartina grass out in the Whale Branch, shown here in their winter mantle of soft brown. The Whale Branch is mentioned in histories of the region and in naval archives of the Civil War. A ferry that connected Beaufort with the mainland also operated here for over two centuries.”

See more photos by Lamar Nix.

Plan Your Trip: Whale Branch

Where is Whale Branch located?
Address: US Highway 21, Seabrook Island, SC
GPS Coordinates: 32.540488,-80.745284
What else should I see?
Lobeco 1.2 miles
McLeod Farmstead 2.3 miles
Highway 21 Drive-In 7 miles
Sheldon Church Ruins 9.3 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Rivers
    Whale Branch Map

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    Comments

    1. woody collins says

      January 15, 2017 at 9:16 AM

      I have often pondered how Whale Branch got its name. My supposition is that a whale actually came into this branch. The RIGHT WHALE has always made a appearance in the mouth of St Helena’s & Port Royal sounds in the late winter / early spring. Very likely that at some time one had somehow entered into this river. Dolphins have always been present in all these local rivers , streams & creeks , yet I know of no other river named Whale Branch up & down the coast. I would like to think it was actually named after a Whale more so than a dolphin. The choice is yours. Woody Collins

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    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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