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Georgetown SC is one of the oldest settlements on the East Coast. First colonized by some British indigo growers and declared by Britain as an official seaport, it quickly rivaled Charleston as the important town in the Carolinas. They rapidly figured out that rice would grow great here in the rich delta soil between all the rivers. Before long, Georgetown was the largest rice exporter in America - Carolina Gold was what it was called. The Clock Tower in the picture to the right houses the Rice Museum.
Rice production crashed during the War Between the States and Georgetown dwindled in population and income.
Then came the Paper Mill followed by the Steel Mill - both provide the major job opportunities here as well as a particular sight and smell. Neither are very attractive.
The town has started a renewal program - first with the boardwalk along the harbor (aka Harborwalk) with its bars and restaurants and then with new marinas and condos overlooking the water. Note the Alligator sign - it's no joke. The guy who runs the tour boat in the background started chumming the waters to bring mullet for the tourists to watch while waiting for the boat to go out. This apparently brought tons of alligators. After a kayaker got their hand bitten, the town has posted the No Feeding signs everywhere. Even with it's gussying up, Georgetown still is a shrimping center and working harbor.
We've got to mention a couple of great places. On Front Street just inland of Harborwalk is a fancy schmancy gourmet shop run by Tim and Rhonda Morris. They have all kinds of pickles and sauces and mixes...but the most important thing is that Rhonda goes to the farmer's market and stocks great fresh veggies. The deli counter has all kinds of wonderful things and Tim is planning to start making sausage in the near future. Karen is now hooked on pimento cheese sandwiches.
On down Front is a little place called Thomas Cafe. They open for breakfast and lunch and serve old school blue plate specials. You can get a main course (I had chicken and dumplings) plus 3 veggie sides or you can opt for the veggie plate of four choices. Today they had blackeye peas, scallop potatoes, cucumber/tomato salad, broccolli casserole, cole slaw, and mixed fruit. You also get a choice of biscuits or cornbread on the side. Wow! Good eats southern style!
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