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Beaufort

Beaufort County lies in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Tourism is important to the county, as many visitors flock to the area to enjoy coastal waters, barrier islands, wildlife, and historic small towns.

Beaufort County lies in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Tourism is important to the county, as many visitors flock to the area to enjoy coastal waters, barrier islands, wildlife, and historic small towns. A number of notable people have called Beaufort County home, including author Pat Conroy and boxer Joe Frazier. The presence of Gullah culture also characterizes the region. Beaufort, one of the state’s oldest towns, serves as the county seat.

Frenchmen, Englishmen, and Spaniards all attempted to settle in Beaufort County. Comprised of the St. Peter, St. Helena, St. Luke, and Prince William parishes, Beaufort District was created in 1769 and “named for Henry Somserset, Duke of Beaufort.” Points of historical interest in Beaufort County include a number of plantations, the Penn Center, and Parris Island.

About Beaufort County, SC. Accessed June 01, 2016. 

Content Type
 When Rice Was King: Intro 1

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When Rice Was King: Intro
Episode 1
Before the American Revolution, the 300 mile coast line of South Carolina was known as the "Kingdom of Rice." Charleston was considered the richest city in Colonial America.
 When Rice Was King (14): Decline Of Rice Economy 14

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When Rice Was King (14): Decline Of Rice Economy
Episode 14
The Civil War marked the beginning of the decline of rice in South Carolina. Although planters continued growing rice during the Civil War, Georgetown experienced an economic down-turn as a result of...
 When Rice Was King (10): Slave Lifestyle 10

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When Rice Was King (10): Slave Lifestyle
Episode 10
An essay called "The Successful Planter," published in 1832, outlined a system of every day life for slaves living on plantations. State law in the 1830s forbade the education of slaves, but many...
 When Rice Was King (5): African Origins Of Rice 5

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When Rice Was King (5): African Origins Of Rice
Episode 5
"Saltwater Slaves" brought over from Africa, became highly sought-after, since many of them already had experience growing rice before being brought over to the "New World."
Harvesting Of Marine Life | History of SC Slide Collection

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Harvesting Of Marine Life | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 2
An important part of South Carolina's economy has been the harvesting of marine life. These shrimp boats belong to an African-American owned cooperative on Hilton Head in the 1970s. Courtesy of the...
 Hilton Head Island | South Carolina Public Radio

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Hilton Head Island | South Carolina Public Radio
“H” is for Hilton Head Island [Beaufort County; population 33,862]. Located in the southeast corner of the state, Hilton Head Island is the largest of the islands that flank South Carolina’s Atlantic...
Bungalow Style Building | History of SC Slide Collection

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Bungalow Style Building | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 2
This bungalow style building represents the adaptation of this style to the needs of the sea islands. The commandant's quarters at the U.S. Naval Station on Parris Island, it was photographed by...
The Rhett House in Beaufort | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Rhett House in Beaufort | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 2
​The Rhett House in Beaufort, in which secessionist supporters met at the beginning of the crisis to urge separation from the Union, is also Adam style. After federal occupation of Beaufort, it became...
Hospital #15 | History of SC Slide Collection

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Hospital #15 | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 9
A fire truck and firemen pose in front of "Hospital #15," one of a number of Beaufort residences converted by Federal troops into a medical unit for the wounded, in this 1865 photograph. Courtesy of...
Hunter, Jane Edna Iris | South Carolina Public Radio Hispanics | South Carolina Public Radio

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Hispanics | South Carolina Public Radio
“H” is for Hispanics. Hispanics are among South Carolina’s oldest and most recent immigrant groups. Long before English settlers landed at Jamestown, Spanish explorers laid claim to the territory in...
Beth Elohim | South Carolina Public Radio Blair, Frank | South Carolina Public Radio

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Blair, Frank | South Carolina Public Radio
“B” is for Blair, Frank [1915-1995]. Broadcaster, author. A native of Yemassee, Blair served in the Navy during World War II. A deep-voiced broadcaster, a mainstay of NBC’s “The Today Show” from 1952...