6 Fun Facts About The State Of South Carolina

Did you know all of these facts about South Carolina? If so, you’ve just proven yourself to be a true South Carolinian!

South Carolina is home to the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi!

It is believed that the Angel Oak Tree, located on John’s Island, is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi. The massive tree is estimated to be a whopping 1,500 years old and shades an area of 17,000 square feet!

SC produces more peaches than Georgia!

Yup, that’s right! South Carolina produces the second-largest amount of peaches in the country, ranking right behind California! Johnson, SC is also known to be the “Peach Capital of the World” and peaches are even the state fruit of SC!

Home to the first game of golf played in the U.S.

Charleston was the first place in the U.S. to see the game of golf played! In the 1700s, a Charleston merchant received a shipment of golf balls and clubs from Scotland, and from there, players of the game organized the South Carolina Golf Club. The Charleston area is now home to about 27 golf courses.

Sweet tea was born here!

Summerville is said to be the birthplace of sweet tea. And, if you’ve never had sweet tea from South Carolina, then you are missing out!

Monkey Island is a real place!

Officially named Morgan Island, located just north of Beaufort, this sea island is only inhabited by monkeys! The island is home to the only free-ranging rhesus monkey population in the U.S., with a population estimated around 3,500. It is uninhabited by people and visitors are not allowed, although you can arrange for a boat ride to view the island from a distance in hopes of seeing a monkey.

The Iodine State!

Did you know that before SC was known as the Palmetto State, it was the Iodine State? I think everyone is thankful for this change. Imagining a South Carolina without the Palmetto tree plastered on everything is terrifying!