Beauiful by teSea Beaufort

WRITTEN BY DENA DAW

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

WHEN SEARCHING FOR the best way to describe Beaufort, South Carolina, two words immediately come to mind: hauntingly beautiful. The moss that drips from the trees, the gentle sway of the salt marsh, the shafts of sunlight streaming through the canopy of live oaks above. It’s almost as if you’ve stepped into a Nicholas Sparks novel, full of achingly tender moments shared on a wide front porch, the ceiling painted haint blue to ward off evil. The hustle and bustle of Charleston, Savannah, and Hilton Head, all less than an hour away, seem impossibly far as you quietly observe the sun-glittered waves in the lap of a waterfront swing.

Formally Founded In 1711

and known as “the Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands,” Beaufort is the second oldest city in South Carolina after Charleston. The echo of its rich and remarkable history still lingers in the salt-tinged air — columned homes, raised high on tabby foundations, line the streets, their “welcoming arms,” or staircases, directly facing the Beaufort River. Historic graveyards are the resting place for those on both sides of the Revolutionary and Civil wars, and the 225-year-old Beaufort Arsenal now serves as the Beaufort History Museum and Visitor Center.

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, cinephile, adventurer, or sun worshiper, it’s easy to be charmed by this “Little Charleston.” Named the “South’s Best Small Town” by Southern Living and “One of the Best Small Towns in America” by Travel + Leisure, there is plenty to see and do — and after three days of exploring the area, we’re happy to share some of the pearls in this oyster shell of a town.

Local History

From exploration to foundation, Beaufort’s history is multifaceted and complex — but for history buffs who enjoy a good story, a historic carriage tour of Beaufort is a must.

“We were named Beaufort after Henry Somerset, the 2nd Duke of Beaufort, one of our founders. It’s pronounced BOWfort, North Carolina, and BEW-fort, South Carolina. Same guy, we just say it the right way,” said Charlotte Lawrence, a carriage driver with SouthurnRose Buggy Tours. “Both sets of locals are picky — I know because my daddy’s from

Beaufort, North Carolina, but my mama’s from Beaufort, South Carolina. So just remember us as Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea and you’ll be just fine.”

The buggy tours last approximately 50 minutes, leaving from Beaufort’s Waterfront Park and winding through the historic streets of downtown. Tour guides offer a deep dive into the town’s history, as visitors pass the longest surviving tabby sea wall in the country and a B&B that once housed General Sherman and Union troops during the Civil War. Other highlights include the Parish Church of St. Helena, once used as horse stables for the British Cavalry, and the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church — the resting place of beloved South Carolina icon Robert Smalls and the future site of the Harriet Tubman monument, honoring her role in the Combahee River Raid that freed hundreds of slaves in 1863.

Despite the fact that the Articles of Secession were drafted in town, the Union occupied Beaufort during the Civil War within a year, preventing the town from being burned to the ground.

“They sailed in on Nov. 7, 1861 with 14 battleships to attack the two forts protecting Beaufort. They kept both forts under fire for hours, and then took a 30-minute lunch break,” said Lawrence, laughing. “The Confederates used this as a great opportunity to retreat. They got out so fast they left food on the table in this town — it was called The Great Skedaddle.”

In addition to a wealth of historic highlights that cannot possibly be contained within these pages, the tour also takes you past famous movie sites from The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, Forrest Gump, Glory, The Great Santini, and more.

Other historic must-sees in town include the Beaufort History Museum, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins (best seen when coming into town), tours of historic homes (including that of formerly enslaved Civil War hero Robert Smalls), and the Beaufort National