Middleton Place, America’s oldest landscaped gardens. This plantation dates back to 1675! Arthur Middleton, who signed the Declaration of Independence, was born here in 1742.Spanish Moss, which is neither moss, nor from Spain!Terracing. This seen better from the air.Spanish moss growing on a crepe myrtle.
This park is frequently overrun with mosquitos. This sign is funny, but it is serious. Fortunately for me, today was mild. I had a personal mosquito repellant device on me, and I did not see or hear any mosquitos.I stayed on the boardwalk throughout the forest.Water tupelosDwarf palmettosThese are “knees” which are produced by bald cypress trees, These are one of the most famous features of Congaree.Weston LakeWeston Lake, which is an oxbow lake that was formerly a bend in the Congaree River.This is the only “wildlife” I encountered during my entire hike! I did not see (but they are out there!) any woodpeckers, turtles, snakes or alligators.More bald cypress and their knees.More bald cypress and their knees.More bald cypress and their knees.More bald cypress and their knees.There are trails, and also camping sites.Water tupelosSwitch caneMore bald cypress and their knees.Water tupelosWater tupelosMore bald cypress and their knees.Close up of a couple kneesLoblolly pines
President Woodrow Wilson lived here with his parents from age 15-18, 1871-1874.“World’s largest fire hydrant”Tunnel mural.Hootie and the Blowfish monument. They are from Columbia.Bob Marley mural.University of South Carolina Gamecocks Williams-Brice Stadium.George Rogers statue. He is perhaps the greatest player in Gamecocks history, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1980. He also was on the Super Champion Washington Redskins in 1987.Gamecock statue.Outside of the stadium there is a row of “Cockabooses”, which are essentially pre-game tailgate party rooms.
Statue of George Washington in front of capitol stepsThe rotundaHouse of Representatives chamberSenate chamberView of the lobby from the second floorStairs to the second floorBust of Robert E. LeeThere were four South Carolinians who signed the US Constitution. They are honored with plaques inside the capitol. Pierce Butler…Charles Cotesworth Pinckney…Charles Pinckney……and John RutledgeBattle of Cowpens by William Ranney“Marion’s Camp”, General Francis MarionOne of several paintings in the capitol showing battles of the Revolutionary War. There were more battles in South Carolina during that war than any other state. The American victory at Cowpens in 1781 is considered the turning point of the war in the South and was an important step toward victory at Yorktown. “Angel of Marie’s Heights”. Sergeant Richard Kirkland of South Carolina became famous during the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 when he broke ranks to give water to Union soldiers who were gasping and screaming in agony. A sculpture in Fredericksburg marks this event.
We had some extra time in Omaha before our flight, so we drove 15 miles north to Fort Calhoun, site of Fort Atkinson State Park. Fort Atkinson was the largest and westernmost military fort 1820-1827. Prior to the fort, this was the site of the Lewis and Clark Council Bluff (explained below).
This fort consisted of a rectangular arrangement of one-story barracks facing inward to the enclosed parade ground. Four entrances were located near the center of the four walls. Cannons were mounted in the bastions at the northwest and southeast corners. The powder magazine was located in the center of the enclosed area.
The post’s population of over 1,000 included military personnel of the Elite Rifle Regiment and Sixth Infantry, some of their families and other civilians.
Outside the fort were located a large council for negotiating with the Indians, a gristmill, schoolhouse, sawmill and other buildings, including a brick kiln that produced thousands of bricks.
Fort Atkinson was an important early step in opening up the West. Rows of barracks.Company C barracks.Officer’s quartersLibraryOfficers’ KitchenHospitalSurgeon’s roomThis is the most fascinating room we looked into. The range of punishments would never fly today, but they worked on the edge of the frontier!Pillory. More of an embarrassment than punishment, used to punish minor infractions of military regulations.Choke Box, used for punishing drunkenness, thievery etc. Subject would be placed in the box for 1/2 hour each day for 30 days. The person would have to stay in a crouching position, as you cannot stand or sit. After release from the choke box, the soldier would have to wear a neck iron and perform police duties around the fort.Solitary confinement boxes.Iron collars, handcuffs, cat-o-nine-tails, ball chain, and leg shackles.Standing Post. The prisoner would be required to stand on this stump with a sign around his neck stating his crime. Also a way to embarrass the prisoner.Powder MagazineThe Powder Magazine held black powder, rifles, spherical cases, musket balls, grenades, port rifles, ball cartridges, pistol flints, musket flints, and more.Rear wall of the fort.Lewis & Clark Council Bluff Monument – First Council Sculpture. The first official meeting between representatives of the US government and an Indian tribe living west of the Mississippi River, occurred near this spot on August 3, 1804.Coin offered to the Indians – commemorative of President Thomas Jefferson.
