Hampton Park

Jim and I took a much needed spring break, heading to Charleston, SC. It was cloudy, but we had perfect walking weather!

Being only our second time to this beautiful city, we ventured to a park we did not visit the first time.

 At 60 acres, Hampton Park is the largest park in Charleston.

Unfortunately it is named after Confederate General Wade Hampton III, one of the largest slave owners of the south. Considering the park's history, I would have named it Freedom Park, or something like that.

In the 1700s, the land was the Orange Grove Plantation owned by John Gibbes.

In the 1800s, the land was acquired by the South Carolina Jockey Club. The horse racing ended here when the Civil War was going on.

I just love the look of Spanish moss contrasted with vibrant flowers.

This park also boasts marvelous live oaks!

The site became a prisoner of war camp during the war. More than 200 Union soldiers were buried here in mass graves. 

After the Civil War, black Charlestonians along with white missionaries and teachers held a parade of 10,000 people on the race tracks used by the wealthy white slaver owners. This must have been a powerful event of emancipation triumph!

These crepe myrtles are surely gorgeous in summer with their flowers and the Spanish moss doing its messy goodness thing.

This city took over at the beginning of the 1900s.

In the mid 1900s, the park was home to a zoo which closed in 1975.

In the early 1980s the designing of the park locals and visitors enjoy today began.

It is a gorgeous park for running, walking, picnicking, bike riding and dog walking.

There was a lovely variety of spring flowers and even camellias still blooming! The summer must be beautiful here with crepe myrtles, roses and other summer blooms showing themselves.

Since this was a fairly long walk from the historic section that we were visiting, we maximized our time by the park. This meant visiting nearby Rodney Scott's BBQ. We enjoyed seeing this pitmaster in action on a Netflix's BBQ series so it made sense to make the hike for this whole hog barbecue. Rodney's restaurant can also be found in Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA.

Also near Hampton Park is a restaurant and bar co-owned by Bill Murray who occasionally calls Charleston home. Someone who we are both big fans of. Harold's Cabin is filled with charm that includes 3 separate indoor spaces filled with quirky decor. Rooftop seating is also available.

If you go, the park is located at 30 Mary Murray Blvd in Charleston, SC. website

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val