west Ashley
West Ashley – or as it is more formally known, west of the Ashley River – is noted as the birthplace of Charleston as English colonists established the first permanent settlement in the Carolina colony there in 1670. Local Native Americans, particularly the Kiawah Indians, led the colonists from the ship Carolina to a suitable settling ground. It is thought they were especially welcomed by the Indians because the local natives feared constant raids by the slaving Westo Indians from Georgia and sought protection. The area where settlers first stepped ashore along the banks of the Ashley River has been preserved as a state historic site known as Charles Towne Landing which features Charleston's only zoo, beautiful gardens, and a reproduction seventeenth century sailing vessel among other historical and educational amenities. A few skirmishes took place there in the American Revolution, specifically at Rantowles Creek, where William Washington defeated cavalry forces under Banastre Tarleton, and at Old St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church during the 1780 Siege of Charleston.
Flanked by scenic rivers Ashley and Stono, ancient moss draped oak trees as well as the famed plantations, Magnolia, Drayton Hall and Middleton Place, West Ashley is also one of Charleston's oldest suburban residential areas. It is home to the quaint cottage like neighborhoods that were developed in the 1950s with even more growth occurring throughout the 1970s and 80s, as Interstate 526 (I-526) was built in the early 1980s and the Glenn McConnell Parkway was built in the 1990s to help alleviate traffic on the historic Ashley River Road corridor, the area saw explosive residential and commercial growth.
Today those cottages and ranch homes are a very desirable commodity as West Ashley's proximity to downtown Charleston coupled with the recent growth and newer home builds, are an attractive alternative to living on the peninsula. As the newer restaurants, brewery's and shopping in the Avondale area continue to grow so does West Ashley's desirability.
west ashley Listings
2362 Parsonage Road UNIT 10a
Charleston, SC 29414
Parsonage Point
Residential
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!! This lovely one bedroom end unit is located on the marsh in beautiful Parsonage Point. Endless views of the marsh and Ashl...
Merritt Road UNIT D-6
Charleston, SC 29407
The Slips At Ripley
Residential
17.5 x 60 foot boat slip at Ripley Marina. Great location, easy access to the Charleston Harbor, limited tidal flow and wind. Easy docking and redu...
Merritt Road UNIT D-4
Charleston, SC 29407
The Slips At Ripley
Residential
17.5 x 60 foot boat slip at Ripley Marina. Great location, easy access to the Charleston Harbor, limited tidal flow and wind. Easy docking and redu...
Merritt Road UNIT B-15
Charleston, SC 29407
The Slips At Ripley
Residential
Least expensive slip for sale at Ripley Light Marina!!! 17.5' X 60' Boat slip at Ripley Marina. Slip B-15. Located within walking distance of Calif...
Reduced -$10,000