With all the press Botany Bay has gotten lately, I started to wonder if there were any other truely magnificient coastal plantations that had been protected for future generations.  One that quickly popped in my mind was Hobcaw Barony.  One of my college roommates worked there most summers since he was old enough to drive from his hometown of Kingstree.  His parents owned a home in Litchfield so he had a place to live that was pretty close.  Well at least closer than Kingstree. 

The first thing that got my attention was Hobcaw's size.  At over 17,ooo acres with ocean frontage I thought, "How in the world did something like this survive the rough years of South Carolina's history?"  Why are there no hotels, golf courses, or malls?  My roommate simply said, "Baruch".  The Baruch family made there fortune on Wall Street and like so many elite from the North decided they had enough of the cold. 

The plantation is now ran by the family foundation with both USC and Clemson Universities having access for long term research.  The plantation is open to the public and is very popular with Red Fish (Spot Tails for those of us from SC) fishermen.  Fishing is only allowed with approved guides and NO BOATS.  You are going to have to earn these trophies.  Don't worry it is worth it because Hobcaw has over 8,000 acres of private and protected marshes.  The big fish are there.

Although I must confess that I rank Botany above Hobcaw.  I have to admit that Hobcaw played a much more vital role in regards to conservation.  Because of Hobcaw the urban sprawl of the northern part of our coast was kept at bay.  It serves almost as a natural border defense for Georgetown and the Francis Marion National Forest.  I am not saying it's like the Berlin Wall or The Great Wall of China but when I do venture to Myrtle Beach, I always feel like I am out of the rat race when I drive through Hobcaw Barony Plantation.

For more information visit, http://www.hobcawbarony.org/ 

Chris Walters DiscoverEdisto.com 1405 Palmetto Blvd Edisto Beach, SC, 29438	Work: 843-869-2527 Mobile: 843-708-8501 cjw1208@msn.com www.DiscoverEdisto.com