The twists and turns go on a journey back in time to the 1850s.įollowing the rush for gold out West, the infrastructure of the country's road system was racing to catch up with ever-shifting populations of people. The trip to Butterfield Plantation is more than a nostalgic drive down a once bustling highway. "There are two things that interest me: the relation of people to each other, and the relation of people to land." - Aldo Leopold And just before the river, Butterfield Plantation's bright white sign signals a warm hello. The thriving agribusiness communities, parks and nature trails offer respite from city life, and an instant reconnect with the outdoors. Today, traveling 301 through Allendale County toward the Savannah River, the tranquil farmlands, pastures and forests envelop visitors with a breath of fresh air. Although expressway travel eventually won out, Highway 301's slower pace continues to hold on to its faithful followers - and there are many of us who admittedly find an odd sense of comfort in driving past the run-down motels and faded neon signs. With the dawning of faster-moving interstate roads, Highway 301 traffic slowed to a trickle over time, leaving ghostly remnants of an era gone by. Friendly diners and colorful motels dotted our country roadsides to tempt passers-by with an ice cream soda or a comfortable night's rest. Eventually connecting the Eastern seaboard states all the way from Florida to Delaware, Highway 301 conveniently funneled streams of cars and trucks along a picturesque 190-mile tour of our state's epicenter, passing through Dillon, Santee and Allendale. Highway 301 - known to travelers as the Tobacco Trail, The Highway of Hospitality and later, Miss Universe Highway - was quite a busy thoroughfare for commerce and tourism in South Carolina. The history of developing roadways resonates strongly with South Carolinians, especially in the heartland of our state. This journey follows both, but let's start with the road.
"What is once well done is done forever." - Henry David ThoreauĪll journeys follow a path and in some cases become part of a timeline.
Sept/Oct 2017Safeguarding the Secrets of Butterfield Text and photos by Cindy ThompsonĪ keeper of history and nature, Lowcountry landowner Michael Finch is now part of an epic story and conservation timeline that continues to unfurl.
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