The Edisto Island Open Land Trust (EIOLT) is thrilled to announce the purchase of the iconic and historically significant Store Creek Corner on Edisto Island. The property contains opportunities that touch on nearly every aspect of the land trust’s mission. The acquisition highlights the importance of land conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and environmental restoration to land and waterways.
Most people recognize the location on the corner of National Scenic Byway 174 and Point of Pines Road as the original location of the Old Post Office that provided a connection to the world beyond Edisto, or they dined at the Old Post Office Restaurant that drew patrons from near and far. The historic commercial hub of the island since the early 19th century, the corner remains a prominent landmark that will have a new life as the permanent headquarters for the Edisto Island Open Land Trust. In acquiring the nearly 3-acre parcel, and adding it to the adjacent 2 acres, the land trust is protecting precious waterfront acreage on Store Creek from further development and preserving the historic commercial hub of Edisto Island.
The property contains two incredibly important historic structures that were at risk of being lost or damaged; the historic, c.1805 home fronting Point of Pines Road, and the Bailey Store building moved from Edingsville Beach in the 1880s. The Bailey Store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Environmentally, the property presents a unique set of challenges EIOLT is well suited to tackle given its dedication to the water quality of the island. The Bailey Store contained a Gulf filling station in the mid-twentieth century and two abandoned underground storage tanks (UST) remain buried. Although removing and remediating gas tanks once filled with leaded gas adds cost and complexity to the project, it provides an opportunity for EIOLT to remediate the tanks and protect local water quality. EIOLT, in partnership with South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and the Environmental Protection Agency, are working to remove the abandoned USTs and clean the underlying soils to eliminate further risk of pollution. In addition to the environmental cleanup work, EIOLT is also in the process of determining the measures needed to stabilize and protect the historic structures.
As a non-profit organization, EIOLT is seeking the public’s help in paying back the $1.6 million loan needed to secure this property for future preservation. Anyone who wants to help with this important project is invited and encouraged to make a donation online and selecting the Historic Store Creek Corner, or mailing a gift marked “Historic Store Creek Corner” to P.O. Box 1, Edisto Island, SC 29438.
Image provided courtesy of Carolina One Real Estate
