by Robert Borges on October 18, 2024
Summerville, South Carolina is known to many as the ‘Flower Town in the Pines’ because of its many breathtaking gardens and surrounding woodlands. Its real claim to fame, though, is being the birthplace of sweet tea, the symbol of Southern hospitality.
For those considering Summerville, South Carolina fifty-five-plus communities, however, the real draw may not be related to sweet tea or flowers. Summerville offers idyllic small-town charm coupled with a vibrant arts scene, world-class cuisine, quaint shops in a walkable and historic downtown, exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities, and an all-around great lifestyle that’s hard to find.
Small Town, Lots of Charm
Ahead of its time, Summerville passed an ordinance many years ago prohibiting trees over a certain size from being cut down. This protected the surrounding woodlands from industrialization and contributed to the town’s unique ambiance. At one time, the turpentine scent of the local pines was believed to have healing powers which led to an influx of visitors and new residents.
The Champagne of the South
When in a place that measures sweet tea by the gallon, it should be no surprise that Summerville is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest sweet tea container. Standing proudly at fifteen feet tall in the center of town, ‘Mason’ holds 2,524 gallons of sweet tea. To fill the iconic jar, 1,700 pounds of Dixie Crystals sugar was mixed with ice tea brewed with 210 pounds of tea from the nearby Charleston Tea Plantation.
Mason is just one of the stops on the Sweet Tea Trail, an immersive experience that explores the culture of sweet tea in Summerville. If you move to the area, make sure to attend the Sweet Tea Festival in September. During this time, downtown Summerville is filled with local musicians, food, vendors, and, of course, sweet tea contests. If you can’t make it to the festival, stop at the Visitors Center for a photo op in front of the Sweet Tea Mural.
History and Culture Galore
More than 700 homes and buildings in Summerville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of them dating from the early 1800s and beautifully restored and maintained. The self-guided Walking Tour of Homes and Flowers and a visit to the Dorchester Museum will give you a deeper appreciation of the community’s rich history. Three historic plantations are open to the public as well, if you want a glimpse of a past era.
The Flowertown Players in town were voted the area’s best small-town theater by the Charleston City Paper. They host performances in Summerville ranging from comedy, drama, and musicals to educational performances for children.
The Sculpture in the South event helped fund public art installed through Summerville. The Audubon Center also has more than twenty life-sized statues of native birds perched in town as part of their art program, aptly named ‘B.I.R.D.S.’
The arts and crafts showcased at the Flowertown Festival also draw people from all corners of the South.
The Great Outdoors
If you’re the more active type, there’s plenty to do when you live in any of the three Summerville communities highlighted on the Private Communities Registry platform.
While South Carolina does experience storms, the hurricane risk in Summerville is small because it is located inland and away from the coastline. Rivers and lakes provide gentle waterways for Summerville residents and visitors to enjoy. They are perfect for boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and fun-filled days.
Azalea Park in the center of town is more than spring blooms. Pathways meander past ponds, statues, creeks, and trees. Many people also enjoy biking and walking on the paved walkway winding along the Sawmill Branch Trail.
Golf enthusiasts will be happy to know there are three courses open to the public. The Pine Forest Country Club stands out for its Masters-like design and is known as the ‘little Augusta.’
The Perfect Combination
Summerville is a community that attracts those looking for a special quality of life. It is known as the birthplace of sweet tea and has well-manicured historic homes and gardens, parks and nature preserves, navigable rivers, and a highly sought-after lifestyle. This combination of sophisticated and laidback is what Summerville is really all about!
