Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
⛵ Where English America Began in the South — The 1670 Landing That Founded Charleston and the Carolina Colony — Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in Charleston, South Carolina, exact site where English settlers established the first permanent settlement in Carolina in 1670, 664 acres, full-scale replica ship Adventure, 22-acre Animal Forest (natural habitat zoo), 12-room interactive museum, Avenue of Oaks (centuries-old live oaks), 80 acres of gardens, 6–7 miles of trails, Legare Waring House, archaeological sites, African-American cemetery, cannon demonstrations — Charleston County, SC
In April 1670, English settlers from Barbados sailed up the Ashley River and stepped ashore on a marshy bluff on the South Carolina coast. They called their settlement Charles Towne, after King Charles II. It was the first permanent English settlement in the Carolina colony — the seed from which Charleston, one of America’s most celebrated cities, would grow.
Today, that exact landing site is preserved as a 664-acre state historic site where you can walk the same ground, board a replica of a 17th-century trading vessel, and see the animals that would have greeted those first colonists — bears, bison, otters, and alligators — in one of the most unusual state parks in America.
What to Do
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Adventure | Full-scale replica of a 17th-century trading vessel. Board and explore the decks. Represents the ships that connected early Carolina to Barbados and the Caribbean trade |
| Animal Forest | 22-acre natural habitat zoo — the only one of its kind in the Charleston area. Features species present in 1670: black bears, bison, river otters, pumas, alligators, deer, wolves, and raptors |
| Museum | 12-room interactive exhibit center. The story of the 1670 settlement, colonial life, trade, and the lives of the English, African, and Native American peoples who shaped early Carolina |
| Avenue of Oaks | Centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss — one of the most photographed tree-lined paths in the Lowcountry |
| Gardens | 80 acres of historic gardens. Archaeologists have identified colonial-era crops: cotton, flax, sugarcane, and indigo |
| Trails | 6–7 miles of walking and biking trails through gardens, along the marsh, and through the historic landscape |
| Legare Waring House | Historic plantation house on the grounds. Popular for weddings and events |
| Archaeological Sites | Active and interpreted archaeological areas revealing the layers of 350+ years of history — colonial, plantation, and pre-colonial |
The History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1670 | English settlers from Barbados establish Charles Towne — first permanent English settlement in Carolina |
| 1680 | Settlement moves to the peninsula that becomes modern Charleston (better harbor, more defensible) |
| 1670–1720s | The site transitions to agricultural use — plantations, crops, and the emerging slave-based economy |
| 1970 | On the 300th anniversary, the site opens as a state park — South Carolina’s investment in preserving its founding story |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 🌸 Azalea and camellia bloom. Garden peak. Comfortable weather. Perfect for the trails |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | 🍂 Cooler temps. Fewer mosquitoes. Beautiful Lowcountry light. Oak canopy golden |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot and humid (typical Charleston). Morning visits best. Animal Forest has shade |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild Charleston winters. Green year-round. Quiet. Excellent for history walks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this where Charleston was founded?
Yes — this is the exact spot where English settlers first landed in 1670. They later moved to the peninsula (modern Charleston) in 1680 for a better harbor, but this is where it all began.
Can I board the ship?
Yes — the Adventure is a full-scale, boardable replica. Walk the decks and imagine the 17th-century voyage from Barbados to Carolina.
Is the Animal Forest a regular zoo?
It’s a natural habitat zoo — animals live in settings that replicate 1670 Carolina. No cages. The 22 acres feature species the colonists would have encountered: bears, bison, otters, alligators, wolves. It’s educational and immersive.
⛵ Where Charleston Began
The exact 1670 landing site. A boardable replica ship. Bears and bison in a natural habitat zoo. The Avenue of Oaks. 664 acres of the story that started South Carolina.
