Beaufort, South Carolina, is known for its low-country charm, antebellum architecture, and quite a bit of Hollywood credit. It’s a little-known but wildly charming low-country community.

On the coastline between Charleston and Savannah, Beaufort is worth visiting because it’s the quieter, lesser-known cousin of the two more famous cities, which is probably what brought Hollywood calling so many times. It has all the charm, Spanish moss and coastal character as those other great cities, but none of the bustle or traffic. It’s a small, quaint and idyllic place to spend a day or maybe even a lifetime. I spent the day in Beaufort, where I took a guided tour around the city and learned about some of its history and architecture.

History Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort, South Carolina, is one of the oldest pre-civil war towns in the country. The land was granted to Henry Somerset, the second duke of Beaufort, and chartered in 1711, making it the second-oldest town in South Carolina – the first was Charleston in 1670.

Like many affluent communities during the Civil War, the residents fled when the army got close, leaving their homes empty. Since Beaufort was an excellent location, Union troops set up their US Army headquarters. They took over the houses and converted them into hospitals, offices, and lodging. While troops were burning other communities, they spared Beaufort. It’s why so many old, historic houses are still part of it today.

My guide, Walker, said Beaufort used to be the wealthiest community in the country, and the size of the houses and land are testament to that. Like many old southern communities, it used to be farmland; now, it’s tourism.

The tour, like others I’ve taken on this side of the Mason Dixon line – a reference frequently used in the south – talk of the Civil War, the players, the locations, and the battles. You’ll learn a lot about it on a tour or by reading the many signs around the community.

Fun fact: Valerie Boles, aka “Minerva,” an American root doctor portrayed in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” lived in Beaufort, and the cemetery they visited to practice hoodoo in real life was there, not in Savannah, as portrayed in the movie.

Antebellum mansions

The defining feature of the city is the number of charming historic homes. Lining the marshy coastal community, the community has a scenic location, character and winding streets. The coastal foliage makes for glorious gardens offset by moss-draped live oak trees. It wouldn’t do justice to say it’s as pretty as a picture.

The homes are a mix of styles, from Federal, Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and Victorian, but they all have some similarities. The light coastal colors, large wrap-around verandas facing into the breeze and many made of tabby construction. Tabby is a mix of oyster shells, lime and other ingredients to make the oceanside cement common to the region.  

Many of the houses have architectural features and historical stories that make them unique, but three worth highlighting are:

• Milton Maxcy House, at 1113 Craven Street. Also known as the “Secession house” because it’s one of the places where southern men gathered to discuss plans for seceding from the union – thus initiating the Civil War.
• Thomas Hepworth House, 214 New Street. This colonial cottage is Beaufort’s oldest house. Hepworth, the colony’s Chief Justice, acquired the land in 1717.
• Robert Smalls House at 511 Prince Street has a great story. Smalls was an enslaved person in this house since childhood. As an adult, he worked on ships where, during the Civil War, he took a bold chance and sailed a ship into freedom in the Charleston harbor. He later returned to Beaufort and bought the house where he was once enslaved. He was later elected as the first African American Congressman.

These homes and several others, including Hunting Island State Park Lighthouse, Laurel Bay Plantation, and John Mark Verdier house, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Downtown Beaufort

While the entire town has an impressive history, some sections are more so than others. There are five sections to the downtown area:

1. Northwest Quadrant is the part of the city you’ll drive through on your way downtown or maybe to park. It has a mix of architecture, new and old, but still in keeping with the historic vibe of the city.
2. The Bluff is at the far edge of Bay and North Street and has some often-photographed old homes and a picturesque courthouse. 
3. Downtown is where you’ll find historic Bay Street and all the historic commercial buildings with two to three-story shops. Behind the main strip, you’ll find parks and places to sit along the water
4. The Point, or Old Point, between Carteret Street and the Beaufort River, is where many of the biggest, oldest houses sit. Many of the tours focus on this area.
5. The Old Commons is the furthest north section of the historic district. It includes more modern businesses and smaller but still historic homes and cemeteries.

Things to do in Beaufort, South Carolina

It’s an island, so there are lots of coastal activities and plenty to do on land. There are tour companies and rental businesses for various activities you can rent equipment for and do on your own or pay a guide and take a group or personal tour. Try these:

• Dolphin watching a few miles offshore
• Fishing off a pier or a charter boat
• Try kayaking, though the current is rough in some areas. For this reason, you won’t see many paddle boards.
• Bike around the marsh or downtown
• Go sailing
• Relax on a beach
• Take a golf cart or carriage tour of the historic districts
• See historic Beaufort National Cemetery
• Visit forts and arsenals like the Fort Lyttelton Site
• Join an ecology tour to explore salt marshes at low tide
• Visit another island. Hunting, Radio and St. Helena Islands are nearby

The Spanish Moss Trail

The Spanish Moss Trail is a 10-mile, 12-foot wide, paved trail that winds through the town, low-country coastal areas, and even salt marsh vistas, wildlife viewing and points of historical interest. The extensive marshlands are a popular spot for biking.

Hollywood Movies Filmed in Beaufort

Because of its good looks and great historic charm, Beaufort has been courted many times by the movie industry. Parts of many films have used its shores and homes as backdrops or the primary location for their story. Popular movies include:

• Forrest Gump
• The Big Chill
• G.I. Jane
• The Prince of Tides
• The Great Santini
• The Fugitive
• Forces of Nature

If you want to see beautiful low-country charm with features similar to Charleston and Savannah without all the people, Beaufort, South Carolina, is an excellent choice.

Read more stories about South Carolina here.

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