A Slice of Bluffton Then and Now, Dispatch No. 4
As part of the Lowcountry Chronicle project, we’re going to publish the posts from the Bluffton Then and Now public Facebook group in website form so they have a permanent home to live in case Zucky decides to pull the plug one day.
Here’s our latest batch of dispatches from Bluffton Then and Now. We hope you’ll join the public Facebook group to get a fuller view of the place we make our home.
The walking/pedestrian bridge in the distance over Heyward Cove, also known as a “skid” or skidway during that time. The Heyward Cove skid was destroyed in the August 1940 hurricane and was never replaced.
Totally unsubstantiated, unfounded, and just-for-fun RUMORS! Bluffton, circa 1988
The Pritchardville country store (RIP … for now)
The leveling of dirt of the “new” Scott’s Meat across the street. Now it’s referred to as May River Row with Downtown Deli, Dollar General and more.
The center of Bluffton survey marker placed near the center of Calhoun and Lawrence street in 1980(ish). Mr. Joe Veins, mayor at the time, was given a grant from Senator Waddell to survey the town. The legal description was a half-mile in each direction or as near as the river would allow from the post office steps in 1903. This marker is still there, but unfortunately got covered with blacktop the last time the town re-paved Calhoun Street. It should be uncovered for historic purposes. (The picture is Mr. George Heyward, the mayor at the time and loved teacher, polishing the marker with Ms. Babbie’s store in the background)
The Messex gas station, which later became the Eggs-and-tricities store. Corner of Calhoun and Bridge … slight contrast from the days of past to now.
Bluffton town dock, 1922 versus today
Great comment from Dianne Reynolds (who sadly passed away seven weeks after this post, but is now with her beloved Cecil): “When my deceased husband Cecil and I were dating, he drove me down on that dock one night and it scared the hell out of me. I don’t think I spoke to him for a few days; it was truly not funny at the time. I am sure it was safe though or he would not have done that. So many changes in so many years.”
The Bluffton High School Class of 1937 was the class to choose the class song, the standard ring and the school colors. Eight people graduated that year and the school had three teachers. Ms. Johnie May Crosby has been given the credit as the author of the Alma Mater for Bluffton High, and Mr. Luke Peoples wrote the class processional for graduation which he performed for the first time on May 28th, 1937. The Alma Mater is still used today for Bluffton High and is painted in the hallway outside the gymnasium.
Like what you learned here? Sign up for the Bluffton Then and Now Facebook group for a regular dose of State of Mind memories.
And if you have photos or stories you’d like to share to fill out our chronicling of Bluffton history — the good, the bad, the ugly, the all of it — please email me at ptollefson800@gmail.com.
