Wadmalaw Island

Wadmalaw Island has remained a timeless representation of a bygone era. A once thriving plantation economy, Wadmalaw boasted of cotton, indigo, and rice plantations that also housed the town of Rockville: a quaint, seaside retreat for the local planters. Lowcountry architecture was seen throughout the island in the designs of the plantations and summer vacation homes. Time and events did not leave the island unscathed, and Wadmalaw fell victim to war and financial hardship as did the rest of the South. Wadmalaw weathered the harsh conditions and was able to continue its sleepy way of life into the 20th century. Rockville also became home to the well-known Rockville Regatta that brings thousands of visitors to the island. Despite surrounding growth that has threatened it, Wadmalaw has continued to maintain its unique noncommercial air and retains the agricultural focus on which it was founded.

Author Michelle Adams has lived in Charleston for the past 16 years with her husband and two children. She has worked for several nonprofits and is also the author of Images of America: Boone Hall Plantation. Kate Di Silvestre lives in Charleston and was raised on Hilton Head Island. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the masters in communication program at the College of Charleston.