Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Magnolia Plantation
1676
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
1. Magnolia Plantation Marker
Fountainhead of the Drayton family, which played so important a part in America's Colonial, Revolutionary, and Independence history. Its original plantation house, credited by contemporary historians as having been the earliest in the Carolina colony, along with its famous garden, now America's oldest, were built by Thomas Drayton in the 1680's. It remains a working plantation utilizing scores of workers, and is still owned and operated by a direct family descendent.
Erected by South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Notable Places.
Location. 32° 52.305′ N, 80° 5.455′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is on 3550 Ashley River Rd (SC-61), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston SC 29414, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Royal Judge John Drayton (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rev. John G. Drayton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Azaleas (approx. half a mile away); The Magnolia Houses
this page online
Regarding Magnolia Plantation. Magnolia Plantation is 10 miles northwest of Charleston on SC 61. It was originally 3900 acres, with eight buildings and one other structure. It was established by Thomas and Ann Drayton in 1679. From 1850-1874, under the stewardship of the Reverend John G. Drayton, the plantation gardens were enhanced. Surviving the Civil War relatively intact, the gardens were again improved and opened to the public in 1870. It is now one of the best public gardens in the country with a very rich history.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Rev. John G. Drayton Marker
Also see . . .
1. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Web Site. (Submitted on December 1, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Wikipedia Entry for the Magnolia Plantation. Magnolia Plantation
Photographed by Mike Stroud, November 15, 2008
2. Magnolia Plantation Marker
(added 1972 - Charleston County - #72001198)
Also known as Magnolia-on-the-Ashley
10 mi. NW of Charleston on SC 61, Charleston
(3900 acres, 8 buildings, 1 structure)
Additional keywords. slavery?
Photographed by Mike Stroud, November 15, 2008
3. Magnolia Plantation Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Magnolia Plantation Marker
Hurricane Hugo, September 21, 1989 At Magnolia Plantation, owner J. Dayton Hastie crawled through the overarching debris assessing the heartbreaking $1 million damage to his gardens. Among the losses: 250-year-old cypress trees; the world's largest broadleaf holly; and a giant California redwood.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 4, 2007
5. Magnolia Plantation House
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2007
6. Magnolia Plantation , one time slave quarters
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2003
7. In the Magnolia Gardens
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2003
8. Magnolia Plantation, Gardens Footbridge
Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 12, 2007
9. Magnolia Plantation Turtles and 'gators soak up the sun in one of the many lagoons
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2003
10. Magnolia Plantation Peacock struts his stuff
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2003
11. Flower from Magnolia Plantation Gardens
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2003
12. Magnolia Plantation Flower Garden, America's oldest
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2003
13. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,118 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on December 30, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on November 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9, 10. submitted on November 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11. submitted on November 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 12, 13. submitted on November 24, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
