This peaceful dirt road located near the Brick Church at Wambaw on the outskirts of McClellanville was once part of the King’s Highway. Originally an Indian trade route known as Sewee Broad Path for the Sewee Indians who lived in the area, the trail was transformed between 1650 and 1735 by order of Charles II of England and served as the main route between Charleston and Boston, Massachusetts. This stretch is the last remaining unpaved section that is publicly accessible.
During the early days of travel, taverns or inns were dispersed along major routes like this one, offering weary travelers and their horses a place to rest and refuel. These places were often designated according to their distance from the nearest town. The 32-Mile House – also known as Jones Tavern – was operated by Elias Jones and once stood across from this granite marker.
The King’s Highway commonly employed markers like this. One side reads “MtP 32,” signifying its distance from Mt. Pleasant, near Charleston, and the other reads “McC 4,” which is the distance from McClellanville. These mile markers were essential for those navigating the early road.
The 32-Mile House and marker were located just beyond a junction of five roads called Five Points. Today the road is referred to as Old Georgetown Road and offers visitors a chance to ride down its bumpy sand lane and imagine what life may have been like in days past. The road was officially protected in 2014 and submitted for consideration to the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the segments of modern-day US Highway 17 follow the footprint of the old King’s Highway.
Do you have any information on where the road passes through Brookgreen Gardens?
I teach 8th grade at Green Sea Floyds Middle School. I have two students that are presenting their research and exhibit on the Kings Highway as part of their National Day History Project. We would like permission to use a few of the images within this document. Thanks for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks.
Hi Kim! You will need to reach out to the photographers directly. Let us know if you need help finding their contact info. For the most part, photographers have a link to their websites within their credit. These websites will have their email address, phone number, or a contact form you can submit.
Two years ago I was traveling north on US 17 south of Georgetown with Garmon GPS on. Was instructed to “Turn right at next street.” This was a sand road which turned to grass. Soon turned back to sand and then to pavement. This was old King Charles Highway! Today, 1-26-2020, I drove on the same sand road. Searching a little, both Garmon and Google GPS sent me on this almost 300-year-old road! Technology is wonderful.
This is great information. We are preparing a series of projects for the kids @ St. James-Santee Elementary-Middle school about the history of our area. We would like to contact Mr Coffey to see about securing his permission to these photos for our lesson plan. Thank you for all you do. Lewis