Mount Pleasant Connected to Charleston by the brand-new Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant is one of the fastest-growing areas of the state. With an estimated 58,000 residents – up from 47,609 in 2000 – Mount Pleasant is the fifth-largest city in South Carolina, exceeding Greenville. The area was settled in 1680 under Capt. Florentia O’Sullivan but didn’t incorporate until 1837. For much of the 19th century, Mount Pleasant was considered a health resort area for wealthy Lowcountry residents – a reputation that continues with the vacation atmosphere of adjacent Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. When the original Cooper River Bridge was built in 1929, Mount Pleasant became much more accessible to Charleston, and the small town continued to grow. You can still catch a glimpse of old Mount Pleasant in the Historic Old Village, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 30-block district includes colonial and antebellum houses and historic churches, as well as the Old Village Post House, a restaurant and inn located on Pitt Street in a renovated 19th century building. Also in the historic district, Alhambra Hall overlooks Charleston Harbor and is a popular spot for weddings and receptions. As one of the oldest working plantations in the country, Boone Hall Plantation captures plantation life during the 19th century. In fact, the plantation has been growing crops for more than 320 years. Opened to the public in 1959, Boone Hall welcomes visitors to tour its plantation house, gardens, slave cabins and other outbuildings, as well as its gorgeous oak trees. Boone Hall is also the site of the Low Country Oyster Festival, which brings in 65,000 pounds of oysters. Sponsored by the Charleston Restaurant Association, the Low Country Oyster Festival holds contests for oyster chefs, oyster shucking and oyster eating. Nearby, the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site recognizes its namesake, who served as one of four South Carolina delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and helped to compose and signed the U.S. Constitution. Visitors can see his plantation, called Snee Farm, view artifacts unearthed by archaeologists from the grounds and watch a film that covers Pinckney’s life and the history of the plantation. The 300-year tradition of sweetgrass basket weavers is closely tied to Mount Pleasant. The skill of hand-weaving grasses from local swamps and marshes was brought over from West Africa with the slaves, and it remains a unique part of Gullah culture. You can find roadside stands of sweetgrass baskets along U.S. 17 and at the Charleston Market. In 2006, Money Magazine named Mount Pleasant among the top 100 Places to Live in the country. With a median household income of $77,821 and a median home price of $280,000, Mount Pleasant’s housing values increased 15 percent between 2004 and 2005. Such growth is expected to continue with the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge spanning the Cooper River, which makes the commute to Charleston even easier and adds an artistic element to the Mount Pleasant landscape. The $632 million bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. The Ravenel Bridge is also the site of the popular Cooper River Bridge Run, a 10K race from Mount Pleasant over the bridge to downtown Charleston. Held in early spring, the Cooper River Bridge Run celebrates 30 years in 2007. Currently in the planning phase, Memorial Waterfront Park will be a 20-acre military memorial park located at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge. The park will host community events and will include walking and bicycling paths that connect to those along the new bridge as well as a 1,200-foot pier that will offer spectacular views of the Cooper River and the Charleston Harbor. As you’re crossing the bridge into Mount Pleasant, it’s hard to miss the massive aircraft carrier USS Yorktown at Patriots Point, one of the most decorated ships of World War II. You can take a tour through the museum, the USS Yorktown and the other ships in the battle group: the USS Laffey, USCG Ingham and USS Clamagore. Nearby, Patriots Point Links is a par-72, 18-hole golf course overlooking the Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter and Shem Creek that features a Scottish links design. Just down the road from Patriots Point, the Belvedere Club and Resort offers adorable cottages on the harbor and the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina is a Hilton resort with lovely views and plenty of amenities. The Tides condominiums overlook the Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge; prices start in the $500s to over $2 million. Shem Creek is one of Mount Pleasant’s most popular spots – particularly during the warmer months – with bars and restaurants boasting waterfront seating and docks. It’s also the site of The Landing, a luxury condominium development on Shem Creek that offers deep water access and boat docks, a waterfront clubhouse, concierge service and The Menagerie, a sub-tropical rainforest with walking paths, luxury seating and bar service. North of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, on Hobcaw Creek, I’On is a neo-traditional neighborhood featuring front porches and a pedestrian-friendly design with sidewalks and paths. The mixed-use development includes I’On Square, with shops, offices and restaurants, as well as I’On Club, with a Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts and fitness center. The community also boasts boat ramps and docks along Hobcaw and Shelmore creeks with access to the Intracoastal Waterway and Charleston Harbor. Homes at I’On range from the $700s to over $2 million; homesites are offered in the $200s and $300s. Park West is a master-planned community offering waterfront and marsh view homes, townhomes, condominiums and homesites, as well as a commercial district with shops and services including a grocery store, restaurant, salon, bank and health services. Currently in the planning phase, Cambridge Square will be a live/work village with a swim and tennis club and six miles of walking and biking paths. Park West also includes the Town of Mount Pleasant Recreational Complex, which covers 59 acres. Carolina Park is a planned “smart growth” community that blends residential, commercial and community space over its 1,700 acres. When completed, Carolina Park will contain 30 neighborhoods that include 850 single-family homes, 545 estates with lots of a half-acre or greater, 100 townhomes and 250 apartment units. Carolina Park’s commercial and retail space will cover 1.3 million square feet of offices and shops. The community also features 13 miles of trails, a 134-acre city park, deep water access to the Wando River, a swim and tennis center, clubhouse and fitness center. With the surge of new residential development comes the need for more services. For that reason, Roper St. Francis is building its Mount Pleasant Hospital on 78 acres at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Faison Road. The 250,000-square-foot facility will house 85 beds and offer 24-hour emergency service, women’s services, and inpatient and outpatient surgery. Along U.S. 17/Johnnie Dodds Boulevard near the I-526 intersection, Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is an open-air mall with 65 shops including Gap, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond and Pier 1 Imports; several sit-down restaurants; and a 16-screen theater. The family-friendly town embraces community festivals. At Towne Centre every March, ArtFest showcases local artists. Celebrating 20 years in 2007, the Blessing of the Fleet is held every April at Alhambra Hall. The Children’s Day Festival brings kids activities, sporting events, displays, clowns, live entertainment and plenty of food to Mount Pleasant each October. For the holidays, the town hosts a tree lighting along with a Holiday Light Parade at Shem Creek and Sea Island Shopping Center. On the north side of town, Palmetto Islands County Park covers 943 acres and includes bike paths, a boardwalk, picnic areas, playgrounds, docks for fishing and crabbing, nature trails, a waterpark and bicycle and pedal boat rentals. On Tuesdays from April to October, be sure to visit the Farmers Market at Moultrie Middle School, which features fresh produce, flowers, food and live entertainment. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM