HISTORY OF COLLETON COUNTY:
Colleton County, South Carolina was originally a land grant bestowed to Sir John Colleton by King Charles II in 1663. With colonization, large plantations developed throughout the area which cultivated rice and indigo crops. The City of Walterboro was established as the county seat in 1817. One of the major landmarks is the Colleton County Courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1820 and expanded in 1939, court sessions are still held in the building today.
Having an abundance of natural resources, Colleton County offers many recreational activities. With lush forests, brimming marshes, abundant wildlife, and miles of undeveloped coastline, many natives and visitors alike find enjoyment in the area through hunting, fishing, boating, biking, shrimping, and much more.
Colleton County is proud of its rich historical, natural, cultural, and agricultural heritage. The county boats an array of facilities used to showcase its history including the South Carolina Artisans Center, Colleton Museum and Farmers Market, Colleton County Arts Council, Colleton Civic Center, and the Walterboro Wildlife Center.
ARTS & CULTURE
Colleton Museum & Farmers Market
506 E. Washington Street | Walterboro, SC
Phone: 843.549.2303
The Colleton County Museum and Farmers Market is a multi-purpose facility that provides retail opportunities for local farmers; a meeting room available for a nominal fee for functions, parties, and local business training; and a dynamic museum celebrating the arts, culture, and history of this Lowcountry community. The facility also includes the Colleton Commercial Kitchen, a South Carolina DHEC approved facility designed for training opportunities to support food business entrepreneurs in the creation of farm-to-table food service business ventures, restaurant start-ups, and commercial food preparation, presentation, and production job opportunities.
South Carolina Artisans Center
318 Wichman Street | Walterboro, SC
Phone: 843.549.0011
The official Folk Art and Craft Center for the state of South Carolina, it is a showcase and market for over 200 of the finest juried South Carolina artisans. Its mission is to interpret, market, preserve and perpetuate the folk art and fine craftsmanship of South Carolina artisans while creating a better understanding of our rich and diverse cultural heritage. The Center features a retail outlet, educational and interpretive exhibits, craft demonstrations, live performances and special events.
Colleton County Rice Festival
Phone: 843.549.1079
This annual spring festival is centered around rice as it is historically significant in Colleton County. From Colonial times through the Civil War, South Carolina was a leading producer of the country’s total rice production. Today, the Rice Festival includes arts and crafts, fireworks, concessions, displays, rice cooking contests, entertainment, animal shows, dances, parade, 5K run, beauty pageant, and more family activities.
Colleton County Arts Council
367 E. Washington Street | Walterboro, SC
Phone: 843.549.1922
The Colleton County Arts Center promotes a cultural, social, economic, and educational climate in Colleton County in which the artistic heritage and creativity of all its people may find a voice through outlets like the Colleton Children’s Theater, pottery workshops, art classes, workshops, and special events.
Walterboro Wildlife Center
100 S. Jefferies Boulevard | Walterboro, SC
Phone: 843.782.6081
The Walterboro Wildlife Center features the rich story and native wildlife of the state's largest city park, The Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary. Come learn about the wonderful history, environmental significance, and wildlife in the heart of Historic Downtown Walterboro. The Wildlife Center is also Walterboro's newest and best event venue. It boasts both a large multi-purpose event hall and a beautiful Amphitheater that, together, can host an exciting array of events, from concerts to weddings and parties.
RECREATION
Ace Basin Sports Complex
280 Recreation Lane | Walterboro, SC
Phone: 843.538.3031
Enjoy seasonal youth sports including baseball/softball, football, and basketball as well as ongoing classes in gymnastics, cheerleading, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and general fitness.
Dogwood Hills Golf Course
1 Dogwood Lane | Walterboro, SC
Phone: 843.538.8316
Dogwood Hills Golf Course is a public, 9-hole golf course built around the Great Swamp Sanctuary by architects Donald Ross, ASGCA, and Russell Breeden in 1933. Dogwood Hills Country Club was once and exclusive private members only club. Now, it is owned and operated by Colleton County Parks and Recreation Department in the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary
Entrance located on DeTreville Road in Walterboro, SC
The Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary includes boardwalks, walking trails, bicycle paths, a canoe/kayak trail, and observation areas which provide nature-based recreational and education opportunities. The Wildlife Sanctuary consists of hardwood flats defined by a series of streams which braided their way through more than 800 acres. It is abundant with native wildlife populations of song birds, wading birds, ducks, predatory birds, wild turkey, deer, raccoons, beaver, otter, opossum, squirrels, and fox.
Edisto Beach State Park
The 1,255-acre Edisto Beach State Park includes 1.5 miles of beach, a dense maritime forest, and an expansive salt marsh where visitors can explore the wonders of nature. The park offers a day-use area for beach access, a four-mile nature trail that winds through the maritime forest with beautiful vistas overlooking the salt marsh and an Interpretive Center that features interactive displays. For overnight guests, Edisto Beach State Park offers vacation cabins and a campground, all of which are a short walk to the beach.
Dr. Joseph "Joe" Flowers Park
109 Benson Street | Walterboro, SC
Dr. Joe Flowers, a native of Colleton County, served the people of Colleton County on County Council for 25 years, completing his last term in December 2024. A graduate of the Citadel and the MUSC School of Medicine, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. As a praticing physician for more than 60 years, Dr. Joe continues to practice and operates Walterboro Family Practice in Colleton County. The park is a recognition of Dr. Flowers' commitment to the local community, and is located in the heart of downtown Walterboro for all citizens and visitors to enjoy and explore.
The ACE Basin
The Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers converge in Colleton County creating the ACE Basin - an internationally acclaimed pristine estuary. The ACE Basin features coastal plain communities, barrier islands, marsh lands and estuarine rivers. The undeveloped landscape and the estuarine system of the ACE Basin provide a distinctive habitat for indigenous wildlife, many of which are endangered and threatened species, including the bald eagle, loggerhead sea turtles and osprey. The Natural Estuarine Reserve of the ACE Basin consists of approximately 350,000 acres of wetlands and offers a variety of recreational uses.
