Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Rev. John G. Drayton

National Register of Historic Places

— South Carolina Department of Archives and History —

The Rev. John G. Drayton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 2003

1. The Rev. John G. Drayton Marker

Inscription. Rector of nearby St. Andrews Episcopal Church, and owner of Magnolia Plantation before, during, and after the Civil War, he redesigned the plantation's famous garden, from its original French style of Louis XIV to its present style of English informality, which has brought it international fame. Reduced from great wealth to extreme poverty by the Civil War, he sacrificed property to erect the existing home upon the surviving first floor of the house burned by Gen. Sherman's Union troops.

Erected by South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil.

Location. 32° 52.389′ N, 80° 5.29′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is on Magnolia Plantation Road near Ashley River Road (South Carolina Highway 61). Located at 3550 Ashley River Road (SC 61) - Charleston, SC, driveway and entrance well marked on Right traveling northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3550 Ashley River Road, 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: Magnolia Plantation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Royal Judge John Drayton

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Azaleas (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Magnolia Houses (approx. 0.3 miles away); Excursion Up the Ashley (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry Woodward (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Henry Drayton (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Earthquake of 1886 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Also see . . . Timeline. 1865 – The house was destroyed by fire. (Submitted on January 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Old Saint Andrew's Parish Church
is an Episcopal church rich in history and strong in Christian spirit, located Ashley River Road (SC Highway 61)in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina.

— Submitted January 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

2. It is also significant
that Rev. Drayton planted many of the first camellias in South Carolina and through hybridization developed many new varieties.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 2003

2. The Mansion

has long been associated with the Drayton family. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. While its plantation house was destroyed, it is well known for its outstanding period gardens and has a famous antique collection.

— Submitted January 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Drayton and Magnolia Mansion...Famous for its Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 2003

3. Drayton and Magnolia Mansion...Famous for its Gardens

Several lagoons are found on the grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 2003

4. Several lagoons are found on the grounds

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, topped; the world's largest broadleaf holly; and a giant California redwood.

"Red October" cruises around ,where Rice fields once stood image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 2003

5. "Red October" cruises around ,where Rice fields once stood

The Audubon Swamp Garden offers 60 acres of the primeval beauty of blackwater cypress and tupelo swamp, traversed by bridges, boardwalks and dikes. A 45-minute nature boat tour takes visitors through ancient rice fields.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,368 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.