Henry Buist Smythe

Henry Buist Smythe. An established and respected attorney, Henry B. Smythe practiced law in Charleston for more than fifty years. Among his clients was Harry Frank Guggenheim, who owned Daniel Island from 1947 until his death in 1971. For over forty years, Henry Smythe served as counsel to the Guggenheim family and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. He visited the island almost every week for decades to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful place and to hunt in the company of men who shared his passion for the chase. The site of the park, in fact, was the location of the “Town Hall,” a gathering point that for generations was the center of hunting activity on the island., Henry Smythe was once described by a colleague as a “complete man.” When asked late in life what he would choose if he could go back and be anyone he wanted, he responded that he would want to be a man living in the Lowcountry just as he had done. He truly loved Daniel Island and the Charleston Lowcountry. If pure pleasure in living was an indication of the value of life, that portion of his life spent on the island would be beyond measure., As the island’s local steward, Henry Smythe was intimately involved in much of the decision making that led to the creation of the community that has evolved here today. This park and neighborhood are dedication to honor the memory of a man who was a great friend to Daniel Island for over 50 years.