Beaufort SC
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Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Area. As of the census of 2000, there were 48,875 people. Beaufort (pronounced Bu-fert, unlike its counterpart in North Carolina which is Beau-fort) is located on Port Royal Island, in the heart of the Sea Islands and Lowcountry. The city is renowned for its scenic location and for maintaining a historic character through its impressive antebellum architecture. The city is also known for its military establishments, being located in close proximity to Parris Island and a U.S. Naval Hospital, in addition to being home of the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The city has been featured in the New York Times, named "Best Small Southern Town" by Southern Living, named a "Top 25 Small City Arts Destination" by American Style, and a "Top 50 Adventure Town" by National Geographic Adventure.
Geography: According to the United States Census Bureau, the city is amid a marshy estuary, and has a total area of 23.4 square miles of which, 18.6 square miles of it is land and 4.8 square miles of it (20.57%) is water. The majority of the city is situated upon Port Royal Island, an interior Sea Island that the city shares with neighboring Port Royal and unincorporated portions of Beaufort County. The city has also annexed lands across the Beaufort River onto Lady's Island.
Spanish Moss hangs from all the
trees adds to the sleepy-quaint feel of the town
Historic District: The original settlement of Beaufort can be found in the downtown or
historic
district area. 304 acres of the town have been designated a National
Historic Landmark. With approximate dimensions, downtown is defined as anything
upon the peninsula jutting into the Beaufort River that is located east of
Ribaut Road (US 21). Further defined, downtown is broken into five distinct
neighborhoods: Downtown (the commercial core), The Point (also known as the Old
Point), The Bluff, The Old Commons, and the Northwest
Quadrant. The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort was annexed into the city in the 1990’s, expanding the city limits northward near the unincorporated Seabrook community. Previous attempts at bringing large-scale residential development north of the air station were defeated after protests from long-time citizens and environmental advocacy groups.
Books and film: Beaufort has been the setting or the inspirational setting for several novels by native son Pat Conroy and a popular filming location for major motion pictures, including The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, Forrest Gump, Something To Talk and and G.I. Jane. The front exterior of the University of South Carolina Beaufort South Campus Performing Arts Center (below at 801 Carteret Street, Downtown Beaufort) was filmed as the Gump Medical Center building that Forrest Gump endowed. This was the same site as for the college campus in Something To Talk. About Lady's Island and the slave trade is the subject of an award winning
novel by Lawrence
Hill, The
Book of Negroes (aka Someone Knows My
Name).
  Tourism and events: Beaufort is a romantic and popular tourist destination known for its history. Major festivals and arts events include the Water Festival, a two-week extravaganza in the middle of July; and the Shrimp Festival, celebrating the local and traditional industry, is in the first weekend in October. In 2007, The Beaufort Shrimp Festival was selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events. The Beaufort International Film Festival held the first week of March screens independent films, such as Brats. A Taste of Beaufort, presented by Main Street Beaufort, is held on the first Saturday in May and features twenty local restaurants, fine wines and live music. Historic Beaufort Foundation's Fall Tour of Homes and St. Helena's Spring Tour of Homes provide glimpses into the antebellum homes on the Point and local plantations. The town is also the home of The Kazoo Museum, which opened in October 2010 is located in the Kazoobie Kazoos Factory Hunting Island is nearby and the state's most visited state park.
Beaufort Soused Corn and Shrimp, Old Bay Seasoning and Beaufort Stew
Beaufort Stew (also known as Frogmore Stew) 3 ounces Old Bay Fill a very large kettle with enough water to cover all ingredients. Add crab boil; boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic. Cut sausage in about 2-inch lengths; add to water. Boil for 25 to 30 minutes. Break ears of corn in half; add to kettle; boil 10 minutes. Add shrimp; boil 5 more minutes. Drain and serve immediately with sauce and melted drawn or clarified butter for dipping.
ALL IN ALL A SPECIAL PLACE WITH SUPER PEOPLE |
