Charles Towne Landing

Charles Towne Landing is a historic park and archaeological site covering about 664 acres along the Ashley River with reconstructed colonial buildings and an exhibition hall. The grounds feature walking trails through different natural habitats and a zoo-like animal area where visitors can see creatures that lived during that era.

English colonists and enslaved Africans established the first permanent settlement in Carolina here in April 1670, naming it after King Charles II. This founding marked the beginning of European settlement in the region and eventually grew into what became Charleston.

The Experimental Crop Garden shows how people farmed in the 1670s, growing sugarcane, indigo, and other plants that settlers once depended on for survival and trade.

The site is walkable with pathways leading through various areas and picnic spots with shaded rest areas available. Visitors should plan for at least several hours to explore the different trails and exhibits throughout the grounds.

The site holds one of the earliest preserved lime floors found in the southeastern United States, along with six working replicas of colonial-era cannons. These objects offer a tangible connection to everyday life and defenses from that distant period.

Location: South Carolina

Website: https://southcarolinaparks.com/charles-towne-landing

GPS coordinates: 32.80750,-79.98694

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22