4Br / 4 Ba / $585,000
.82 Acres / $260,000McClellanville – Small Town, Big Charm
April 19th, 2007 Uncategorized 14 Comments
McClellanville is a small fishing village located on the coast of South Carolina between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Founded by rice planters in 1850’s, McClellanville served as a refuge from the swampy, mosquito-filled rice fields of their plantations. From these summer homes, “the village” as it is known by it’s residents, grew on the quiet shores of Jeremy Creek. With a population under 500, McClellanville remains a peaceful community, free of many of the big city problems like traffic and a high crime rate. Lots averaging over an acre in size allow for greater tranquility and privacy. McClellanville’s main industry now relies on the sale of fresh shrimp, fish, crabs, oysters and clams to local marketplaces and restaurants.
Much of McClellanvilles beauty is drawn from its natural surroundings; the creeks and marsh, the ocean and sunsets, the palmettos and live oaks draped with Spanish moss. This natural beauty does not just stop at the town limits though. Stretching out to the north, south, and west of McClellanville lies the massive Francis Marion National Forest and the creeks and barrier islands to the east make up Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge. These protected lands provide a natural boundary between McClellanville and the rest of the world.
Jeremy Creek, the life line of McClellanville, provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the barrier islands and creeks beyond it. The town’s fleet of shrimp boats supply the local businesses and the rest of the world with fresh caught seafood. The town celebrates the opening of the shrimping season with a blessing of the shrimping fleet during The Lowcountry Shrimp Festival. This event is put on and benefits the local private school of Archibald Rutledge Academy.
On the northern side of Jeremy Creek lies the towns Historic District, the public boat landing, and downtown business district consisting of a few restaurants and shops. The communities of Silver Hill and Skippers Point, on the southern side of Jeremy Creek, present a more rural option for home owners. Also inside the town limits is the Highway Commercial District on Highway 17 where you will find more restaurants and businesses.
One constant throughout all of McClellanville is the feeling of a true community. A step beyond simple Southern hospitality, your neighbors become your extended family. When Hurricane Hugo ripped its way through the town in 1989, the residents were brought even closer together. The town’s people pulled together and rebuilt the homes and businesses which were destroyed and gained a deeper appreciation for the things they had and each other. McClellanville is brimming with small town charm. Residents of McClellanville enjoy it for its quiet, peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Tourist return year after year for a relaxing get-away from city life. McClellanville still remains as the Carolina’s best kept secret. Of course, you dont have to take my word for it, see what others are saying about McClellanville.
I took one glance at your header and knew that had to be a South Carolina river. The Carolina Coast is so distinctive. This is my first time at your site. I love your posts. Especially the one about imported shrimp. My husband and I used to own a restaurant in Bluffton, SC and we used nothing but local shrimp and May river Oysters. If they were out of season… Oh well, No shrimp for you. Stay in touch. We get up to the Charleston area as often as we can. We'll have to meet for cocktails one day.
Thanks Stacey,
It's the header picture is actually looking out from McClellanville across the Intracoastal Waterway, but it is true that no where else in the world has a view like that. We all need to play our part in the war on imported shrimp, consumers need to learn to ask their servers if the shrimp (or any other seafood) is local and if it isn't tell the manager that you won't be returning until they support their community by buying local seafood.
I'm glad you enjoy the site Sharonda. I wish I had a crew of people helping me sometimes, but its just little old me.
This website obviously caters to "out-of-towners". Although this is a magnificently produced website, I find it somewhat exploitative of our small town values and culture. Being a local myself, I want nothing more than to preserve such. I was perusing the site and felt like I was reading advertisments for a posh new living establishment. Maybe McClellanville is a posh new living establishment, but regardless, I cannot refrain from voicing my opinion; McClellanville means a lot to me and I hate to witness change; however, I felt like the producer of this site was merely speaking in terms of a salesman. Perhaps its just me but, I find this site upsetting, revolting and degrading to locals.
I respect your comments, but I also can't help but notice that you have posted your message anonymously instead of letting people know who you are and standing behind your statements. I, "the producer of this site", have my name right at the top of every page and am responsible for 100% of the content here. I respectfully disagree that this site caters to only out-of-towners. The site has a lot news and events that locals and out of towners both find useful. The site is a work in progress and is always changing. Some things are geared more toward out-of-towners, some are specifically for the enjoyment of locals.
Your observation that I am trying to sell something is obviously correct. I don't hide the fact that I am a real estate agent and the main purpose of the site is to attract potential buyers looking to live in the area. However I think this site does a lot to educate those people about the community and allow them to decide if McClellanville is the type of place that they want to live. I was born and raised in McClellanville and I don't want to see change any more than you. Just because I write about the great recourses we have here, doesn't mean that I am exploiting them. I support local businesses and encourage people to share their comments on this site and in the forum (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thevillagecommunity.com" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.TheVillageCommunity.com).” target=”_blank”>www.TheVillageCommunity.com). I think my article, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mymcclellanville.net/2007/07/18/6-reasons-mcclellanville-wont-change/" rel="nofollow">6 Reasons Mcclellanville Won't Change, demonstrates how I feel about the environment and development. I don't think we are immune from change, but anyone that knows me will tell you that I am not looking to harm The Village.
PS – I don't think I've ever used the words "Posh" and "McClellanville" in the same sentence and I hope I never do
As a member of the Sewee to Santee Economic Community Development Corp, a diversed group of citizens of the region dedicated to preserving the rural character of the area, I embrace the website; it's informative and well-produced. We all enjoy living in this pristine area of the county and will like to keep it that way. But let's not put our heads in the sand. Development is popping up all around us. Low density projects such as the "Oaks Preserve" is the kind of development that compliments the area. Change is good, but at the same time I feel that we can control the overall growth.
Thank you for your kind comments about the site. You can find a link to Sewee to Santee's website on the right sidebar under "Useful Websites". I agree that we can't ignore the obvious signs of development all around us, but with proper planning and strong community leadership, I feel like we can control the type of growth that McClellanville experiences. Oaks Preserve and Landry Farms are both excellent examples of low density development that represent our McClellanville's rural roots. While new communities like Fair Oaks, Mouzon's Bluff, and Broadmarsh have a greater density, it's important to note that their 1 acre lots are are great deal better than the 1/5 and 1/10 acre lots you'll find in most cities.
I lived in McClellanville for almost 13 years and loved it. I've been gone now 12 years and after stumbling on this site have learned I miss it dearly. It seems the little town is growing up. The website is beautiful and thanks for bringing back all the good memories.
Joe,
As a real estate agent in my own small town, I think part of my job is to not only find you the house of your dreams at the right price but also make sure you have realistic impression and expectations of what living in McClellanville will be like. This is where using a local agent is to your true advantage. Fitting in is what you make of it. I've seen people not fit in, but I think they were never a right fit in the beginning and didn't understand what living in a small town is like. More often than not they do fit in though and McClellanville is full of people just like you who stumbled upon it one day and never left. My advice to people is that if you enjoy it for what it is than remember that and don't try to change it. The people I've seen not fit in tried too hard to push their ideas on the community, when you really just have to go with the flow and blend your personal experiences slowly. If you ever want to give it a test drive, I encourage you to stay at a rental home for a week or two. I can give you a personal tour and answer any questions you have, introduce you to a few of the locals and let you see what McClellanville living is all about.
My favorite little town on the coast! Great coverage!
I am one who loves McClellanville! And bud hill is my buddy! he does and knows ALOT about McClellanville! but i just wanted to say i love McClellanville!
I have been living in mcclellanville for 25 years and love it. I feel bad that i did not see this web site before. You guys did a great job. WAY TO GO MCCLELLANVILLE. WE LOVE YOU!
I have just found your site by accident and I must say that your little community sounds absoutly great! I live in Ireland in a small rural town which is slowly but surely dying because of outside influences from neighbouring cities and large urban areas. I retire from the Garda Siochana (Irish Police force) in a couple of years time and my wife and I would love to retire to some place like McClellanville! Do you think we would fit in ? Thanks, and loved your site.
I fished out of the "public" boat landing for many, many years, and grew to love the town like a resident . Keep the houses occupied , but please don't change the town . I lived in Florence many years , but now live near Sumter . Two of my children spent many hours cleaning and rebuilding the houses, after Hugo. I have nothing but good memories about McLellanville .