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Steamboat Landing

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Charleston County / Steamboat Landing

Steamboat Landing on Edisto Island provides boat access to Steamboat Creek, a branch of the Edisto River. The name of the creek, and subsequently the landing, likely originated with planter William Seabrook. Seabrook owned adjacent Seabrook Plantation (built around 1810), as well as a ferry service, which operated a steamboat called the W. Seabrook.

Steamboat Landing

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The William Seabrook House, pictured below, established a distinct style of architecture which was replicated throughout the island with slight variations. The two-and-one-half-story Federal structure sits atop a raised brick basement and has the traditional and favored floor plan found throughout the Lowcountry. Four rooms downstairs, separated by a central hallway, with the same floor plan repeated upstairs. The central hall is dominated by a unique double staircase that meets in the middle, at a landing, where a single stair rises to the second level, this is one of the defining features of the home’s interior. Graffiti can be found scribbled on walls throughout the home dating to the occupation of Edisto Island, by Union troops, during the Civil War. The house remains a private residence.

William Seabrook House

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The brick tea house at Seabrook Plantation can be seen in the image below. During the Civil War Steamboat Landing was used by the New York 47th Regiment to access Point of Pines Plantation, where Union troops established a headquarters.

Steamboat Landing

Marty Peterson of Green Mountain, NC, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The landing continued to be used throughout the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century as steamboats would transport workers from Edisto to Yonges Island, where they would then catch a train to Rantowles and work the phosphate mines.

Steamboat Landing Marsh

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The short-lived phosphate industry replaced the rice industry after the Civil War; the rice industry collapsed after the loss of slave labor, and phosphates were then mined to be used in fertilizer. The landing was also used to ferry islanders to Charleston aboard the steamers Pilot Boy and Mary Draper.

Steamboat Landing Approach

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Ferry service continued as late as 1920, but eventually boats gave way to the automobile. However, Steamboat Landing is still a favorite of boaters exploring the channels of Edisto Island. Fishing, crabbing and dolphin sighting remain popular activities when visiting the landing.

Edisto Island Crabs

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Steamboat Landing


Contributor Elliott M. Skidmore says of his below photo: “”After a long day in the creeks and rivers of the Lowcountry there’s a peaceful feeling at the end of the day. This picture, taken from Steamboat Landing Road on Edisto Island, captures that feeling as nature says ‘goodnight’.”

Elliott M. Skidmore of Edisto Island © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Contributor Marty Peterson shares: “While on vacation to Edisto Island I visited Steamboat Landing, hoping to find another good place to catch another beautiful sunrise.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Steamboat Landing

Where is Steamboat Landing located?
Address: Steamboat Landing Road, Edisto Island, SC 29438
GPS Coordinates: 32.602433,-80.293093
What else should I see?
Tomb of Julia Legare 2.9 miles
Presbyterian Church on Edisto 2.9 miles
Edisto Island Baptist Church 3.4 miles
Trinity Episcopal Church 3.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Edisto Historic Sites
    Steamboat Landing Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stephanie says

      November 17, 2019 at 5:48 PM

      How long is the road (Steamboat Landing) from the landing to Hwy 174? Thank you!

      Reply
    2. lewis mustard says

      June 28, 2018 at 11:13 PM

      We used to visit every summer in the 1950s my grandfather, Dr. Harry S. Mustard, and his beach house on Edisto. We loved fishing on the beach for bass and in the Edisto sounds for flounder. A wonderful, peaceful existence for all. The beach breezes traveled through the beach house offering a time of rest and contentment. We forever treasure this time in our life.

      Reply
    3. Dean Padgett says

      October 12, 2016 at 5:04 AM

      Is Steamboat Landing accessible and open after Hurricane Matthew?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        October 12, 2016 at 8:41 AM

        People are methodically being allowed on the island. We don’t know about specific accesses. Here is the town website for more information: http://www.townofedistobeach.com/

        Reply

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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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