1959 Map of James Island

About this map

Secessionville and the surrounding marshlands of James Island reveal a coastal landscape in transition during the late 1950s. While residential developments like Centerville and Riverland expand south of Charleston, the southern reaches of the island remain dominated by tidal flats and a dense network of waterways including James Island Creek and Folly River. The map highlights the educational infrastructure of the era, noting James Island High Sch and several local institutions such as Kings Road Sch and Meggett Sch. Along the coast, Folly Beach shows an established street grid fronting the Atlantic Ocean, while nearby Morris Island remains largely undeveloped, anchored by the Loran Coast Guard Station at its southern tip. This survey captures the region just before significant modern suburbanization reached the outer sea islands.