3 hours Ago
If you like to poke into the history of your ancestors to learn about who you are and where you came from, you might also appreciate the importance of learning about where you live. Whether you just moved to Charleston or were born and raised here, you should know that it's filled with so much history that needs to be preserved and appreciated. One of those areas is the Cainhoy Peninsula.
Here is a peek into its history: According to Suzannah Smith Miles in a speech she gave in 2014, the name " Cainhoy " is a Native American word, seen initially as "Kenha" on maps of the late 1600s. Miles explained that the history of the Cainhoy Peninsula is "as old as the settlement of Charleston—actually older because of the Native American presence in the area. This area is critical, especially the history of Native Americans and African Americans, the latter of which not only involved slavery but also an astounding number of free men who owned property early on.
" One of those free men was Jack Primus. According to Miles and the African American Settlement Community Historic Commission, Primus is assumed to have been one of the freed slaves who purchased 100 acres on the Cainhoy Peninsula in 1712. "Next came European settlers who used the land for agriculture, especially rice and indigo plantations," said Chris Facello, Realtor with The Chris Facello Group of Carolina One Real Estate.
"Over the years, the peninsula remained largely rural, known for its forests, marshes, and wildlife." Chris Cunniffe, a broker manager at Engel & Völkers Charleston, said the area's geography can be a bit confusing. "Cainhoy Peninsula is a very large area," he said.
It includes all of Daniel Island and all the land along the Clements Ferry Road corridor. Cunniffe continues that when some people hear "Cainhoy," they often think of the portion of the Cainhoy Peninsula that does not include Daniel Island since Daniel Island has developed a separate identity. "For decades, the Cainhoy Peninsula has been valued for its ecological importance," said Facello.
"Its vast stretches of wetlands, forests, and marshes support a diverse range of plant and animal species. Groups focused on conservation have worked to preserve these natural habitats, knowing they are vital for wildlife and flood control and water quality in the region." According to the Coastal Conservation League, Cainhoy Peninsula is a 9,000-acre property, roughly the equivalent of Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
They write, "The northern portion of the property shares a two-mile border with the Francis Marion National Forest, home to four designated wilderness areas, longleaf pine savannahs, and several threatened and endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker and the northern long-eared bat. The southern portion of the property is bordered by the Wando River and Flagg Creek and crossed by many smaller, unspoiled creeks teeming with life, including species that are significant to local fisheries such as redfish, flounder, blue crabs, and oysters." This, of course, is just a portion of the Peninsula's history.
Like many rural areas in the region, there is much more to learn and discover..
