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Edisto Island Mattress Tree

SC PICTURE PROJECT 5 Comments

SC Picture Project / Charleston County / Edisto Island Mattress Tree

This quirky novelty, found along South Carolina Highway 174, proudly serves as a testament to the offbeat spirit of Edisto Island. It is one of several celebrated landmarks that surprise visitors to the island. (Another is the famous Edisto Island Mystery Tree.)

Edisto Mattress Tree Swing

Elizabeth Wenner of Wadmalaw Island, 2006 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Hanging at what locals sometimes call Mattress Point, the swing belonged to Edisto native Frank “Tish” Gadsden, a descendant of island slaves. Legend holds that the mattress originally served a something of a “dog house” for Gadsden, whose wife didn’t like when he drank. Initially he “slept it off” on a cot, but one night, looking up at the graceful branches of this ancient oak, Gadsden thought to hang his bedding in the tree like a hammock. That was back in the 1970s; over time, the mattress became a favorite spot for friends to visit, play cards, laugh, and tell tall tales in the breeze. For awhile Gadsden kept a fruit stand here, but his business eventually become charging curious visitors a nominal fee to take a picture on his swing. Every summer a new mattress was put out on the tree and each winter it was taken down.

Edisto Island Mattress Tree

Joan Perry of Charleston, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

By 2009 Tish had passed away, and to the dismay of many, the mattress came down. Thankfully family members continued the tradition and the mattress was back in “full swing” by at least 2013. Today the once-bare mattresses are highly decorated for each coming holiday or season, adding to the festive character of Edisto. Artist Charlotte Hutson-Wrenn describes it best when she says, “It was part of the myth of this island paradise. Lying in a hammock is a traditional summertime habit for those who come to the beach for vacation. For visitors to the island, it reminds us of the importance of taking a nap, of putting our feet up, of swinging the day away, ‘Edislow’ style.“

Edisto Mattress Tree Swing

Christine Andrews Smith of Charleston, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Paintings on the Edisto Island Mattress Tree


This painting was completed by the talented artist Becky Lee of Walterboro. Becky, who is largely self-taught, muses, “I never could color between the lines.” My earliest memories of being an artist began as a child, as soon as I could hold pencil and crayon. My mother complained that she could never keep me in notebook paper because I drew on everything.” After some helpful guidance from a primary school art school teacher and later, a thoughtful husband and art coach, she has developed her own style that depicts the Lowcountry in a fresh and energetic way.

Edisto Island Mattress Tree

Becky Lee of Walterboro © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections of the Edisto Island Mattress Tree


This swing hanging from the boughs of a large oak on Edisto Island is definitely one of a kind. Rusty Williamson of North Charleston provides an interesting story about this landmark: “Where that tree stands was once a run-down mobile home, owned by a native of the island we called ‘Tish.’ My uncle befriended him over the years and we got to know him fairly well. He would take us shrimping back in the creeks behind his property, land left to him by his mother, a direct descendant of the original slaves on the island. Many years ago, a highway patrol officer plowed his car through the mobile home after failing to maneuver the curve in the road. My uncle gave Tish materials to help repair the damage [along with] the first mattress that ever hung from that tree. The story I remember is that Tish’s wife would make him sleep outside in the summer when he took to fits of drinking and not bathing for a few days.”

More Pictures of the Edisto Island Mattress Tree


Edisto Mattress Tree

Sue Johnson of Mount Pleasant, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise Crowley says

    July 14, 2022 at 5:55 PM

    Where can I buy a print of the Edisto Island Mattress?

    Reply
  2. Suzanne Murdaugh says

    June 10, 2022 at 7:18 AM

    When I saw your picture of the “Edisto Beautyrest” it immediately reminded me of the many summers we spent there with our family. I too would love to have this (the painting) hanging in our home. If prints or copies are available, please let me know.

    Reply
  3. Becky Lee says

    October 15, 2017 at 8:05 PM

    My title for this painting of the mattress tree was “Edisto Beautyrest.” I am so happy to have it on this website. I “love” my work when I am producing it and then I love it again when others love it too. Please visit my website to see more http://www.Beckysart.com.

    Reply
    • SCIWAY says

      October 15, 2017 at 11:12 PM

      You produce such beautiful work, thank you so much for allowing us to use it here!

      Reply
  4. Joan Hazlett says

    September 4, 2017 at 7:16 PM

    Just got back from Edisto Beach, this place and the tree. Truly love it! I would like to have a print or card with this on it. If anyone knows where I can get one pls let me know. I did find a picture in a gallery there, but couldn’t afford it!

    Reply

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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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