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

The Rev. John G. Drayton

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 National Register of Historic Places.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Notable Buildings • War, US Civil.

Location. 32° 52.389′ N, 80° 5.29′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Magnolia Plantation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Royal Judge John Drayton (approx. 0.2 miles

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away); Drayton Hall / Drayton Family (approx. 0.7 miles away); Archdale Hall (approx. 2 miles away); Skirmish at St. Andrew’s Parish Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); St. Andrew’s Parish Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Windsor Hill Plantation (approx. 3½ miles away); a different marker also named Windsor Hill Plantation (approx. 3½ 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

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.

in South Carolina and through hybridization developed many new varieties.

— 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 November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,815 times since then and 77 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.