All Articles
The Deerhead Oak: SC Heritage Tree 2007
May 11th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info, Things to See and Do Daniel Bates 1 Comment
You can’t drive through McClellanville without noticing the landmark Deerhead Oak on a cleared lot at the corner of Pinckney Street and Oak Street. The tree is easily the most photographed attraction in town and everyone growing up in McClellanville has climbed up into it’s cradling arms at least once. The town is blessed with hundreds of ancient live oaks, their limbs draped with Spanish moss, but the Deerhead Oak holds a special place in everyone’s hearts.
The Deerhead Oak is both larger in circumference, 30.6 feet, and height, 67 feet, than the famed Angel Oak on Johns Island, SC estimated by some to be more than 1500 years old and thought to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi River. Of course, it is hard to estimate the age of these ancient trees, which predate the discovery of America by the Europeans, because boring samples are not reliable due to a tendency for the live oak’s heart wood to rot.
It takes some creativity to see the “deer head”, with it’s knobby eyes and nose and long antler branches, but no matter if you can’t. The value in the tree comes not from it’s likeness to an animal, but from it’s beauty and history.
One thing is for sure, the Deerhead Oak was well established when it first saw the founding fathers of what would become the village. McClellanville’s very first store was built in the shade of the tree by William P. Beckman. But even before the European settlers, the Deerhead Oak was probably climbed by the local Seewee Indians for hundreds of years.
The oak tree has long been known as a symbol of strength and triumph, so what better image to use to represent the community of McClellanville. The village has a tight-knit community which pulls together in good times and in bad. Like the mighty oak, McClellanville’s family tree has large long limbs that intertwine with each other. Our roots grow deep in the rich coastal soil and our history reaches back to the founding of this country.
On May 10th, 2008 the Deerhead Oak was dedicated as South Carolina’s 2007 Heritage Tree of the Year. The McClellanville Tree Committee sponsored the event held in the shady branches of the town’s landmark live oak at the corner of Oak Street and Pinckney Street. A plaque commemorating Deerhead Oak as the Heritage Tree for 2007 was unveiled as well as a second plaque honoring the Beckman family (the owners of the land on which Deerhead Oak rests) for their gracious contribution to McClellanville’s greenspace and the town’s history.
Ed Farnworth, of the Tree Committee, made introductions and then Bud Hill, director of the Village Museum, spoke about the history of the tree. Danny Burbage, the Vice President of the SC Urban and Community Forestry Council, officially bestowed the honor to the Deerhead Oak. Mrs. Anne Beckman Rumer spoke about her family’s history and said that the land surrounding the Deerhead Oak would remain a public greenspace for the enjoyment of the town that she loves so dearly. Jimmy McClellan read the following excerpt from his poem “The Voice of the Deer Head Tree”:
A giant oak stands in the town,
It’s known as the Deer Head Tree.
Surely the oldest living thing
Within our community.
For centuries rooted in place,
Watching the seasons pass.
No telling just how old it is,
Or how long yet it may last.
I sometimes wonder if this old tree
Had senses and wit ad tongue,
What stories it might tell us,
Of events since it was young.
~By James O. McClellan
Related Article: Deerhead Oak Rooted Deeply in Community
McClellanville Rental Homes Needed
April 26th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates 1 Comment
While it’s a great time to buy in McClellanville, there is still an overwhelming demand for McClellanville rentals (both long term and short term). McClellanville may not be the tourism capital of the world, but we get our fair share of traffic. I get daily calls from people wanting to come enjoy our natural amenities (great fishing, pristine creeks and beaches, historic homes and oak-lined streets) and relaxing rural setting. People love to use our quiet town as a place to unwind as well as a starting point for day trips to both Myrtle Beach and Charleston. There are currently no homes for lease on a long term basis and the two vacation rentals in McClellanville are both full for the summer and into the fall. One of those is on the market to be sold and could go at any minute. I am also managing another occasional rental, but it still does not meet the demand and I have to turn people away every day.
If you own a home in McClellanville that is vacant some of the time (or know of someone who does) and would like to discuss the possibilities of renting your home, I am happy to offer my services as a full service rental manager. Renting your home can seem like a scary thing and it isn’t for everyone, but it is a great way to put some extra cash in your pocket for home repairs or to help you pay off your mortgage. Obviously rental rates vary greatly depending on size, condition, and location of your homes, but most homeowners can expect to meet their monthly mortgage payment by renting their home in today’s market.
32nd Annual Lowcountry Shrimp Festival
April 26th, 2008 All Articles, Things to See and Do Daniel Bates 2 Comments
Just one week left until McClellanville’s biggest party of the year, the Lowcountry Shrimp Festival, on May 3rd, 2008. This is the 32nd time Archibald Rutledge Academy has held this annual event celebrating the blessing of our shrimp boat fleets and the great harvest that they bring home. There will be plenty of fresh locally-caught seafood beign served up, live music and dancing, arts and crafts for sale from talented local vendors, raffles and door prizes, and games and rides for the children. The festival will be begin at 11am and end at 5 pm at the McClellanville town boat landing at the end of Pinckney Street. Last year’s festival was a huge success and we hope to make this one even bigger as all proceeds go to support Archibald Rutledge Academy.
You can learn much more about the 32nd Annual Lowcountry Shrimp Festival at ARA’s official website.
All Four Forestry Properties Sold in Auction
April 20th, 2008 All Articles, McClellanville Real Estate Daniel Bates No Comments
I had written last October about the US Forestry auctioning their 4 properties in McClellanville. The 3 homes and 1 lot were initially priced higher than expected and received very little interest and no bids. They were taken off the market for a brief period and reintroduced at much more affordable prices. This was an internet auction, once a bid was placed the price rose by predetermined increment for the next bidder. Interest was much higher at these new prices and all four properties were sold this weekend at the close of the auction. Here is a review of the properties and what they sold for, although it is important to keep in mind that these homes have not been lived in for quite a while and will need some work to bring them up-to-date.
735 Morrison Street
Tidal Waterfront 1750 sq.ft.
Starting Bid of $340,000
Sold for $340,000
161 Liberty Street
1190 sq.ft. built in 1940
Starting Bid of $140,000
Sold for $140,000
941 S. Pinckney Street
1390 sq.ft built in 1964
Starting Bid of $125,000
Sold for $145,000
Vacant Lot on Liberty
3/4 acre building lot
Starting Bid of $80,000
Sold for $80,000
These were truly some great deals, but there are still plenty of other great deals on the market available today without waiting and without the restraints of government auctions. It’s a buyer’s market out there with high inventory, low prices, good interest rates, and many sellers willing to make concessions to sell their home. We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of buyers over the past few weeks and offers are being made and properties getting snatched up. Don’t wait for all the great deals to be gone, give your local real estate expert a call today to schedule a tour or search all the local MLS listings for free here.
Plant and Bake Sale
March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments
| April 12, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 1:00 pm |
McClellanville Garden Club and Civic Club will hold their annual plant and baked good sale at the lot next to the Arts Council. Event sponsors the garden club who maintains and plants new garden all around town.
Donated plants can be dropped off before the 12th at 714 Pinckney Street
Pluffmud Grand Opening
March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments
| March 15, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 am |
Grand Opening of Pluffmud Personalized Gifts and Accessories at 829 Pinckney Street.
10% off for all McClellanville Residents, Door Prizes, and Refreshments
McClellanville Deerhead Oak Commemoration
March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments
| May 10, 2008 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Come celebrate Deerhead Oak’s selection as South Carolina’s Heritage Tree for 2007 at the corner of Pinckney Street and Oak Street in McClellanville, SC.
Clean Up McClellanville
March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments
| April 26, 2008 |
Help clean up the town with children from the area schools as they compete against each other by picking up trash.
Contact Sam Watson at (843) 887-3814 or Bud Hill at (843) 887-3030
Sustainability Institute Talk
March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments
| March 26, 2008 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Benjamin Leigh of the Sustainability Institute will discuss ways to reduce energy costs at the Methodist Church Annex presented by Kitchen Table Climate Study Group.
Pruning Techniques Lesson
March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments
| March 15, 2008 | ||
| 9:30 am |
Educational demonstration by a certified arborist on proper pruning techniques at 555 Pinckney Street
