An Afternoon in Sheldon

Sheldon is a rural, unincorporated part of Berkeley County that offers several outdoor leisure activities near and around the historic Old Sheldon Church Ruins for which the area is known. From the historian to the hiker, Sheldon does not disappoint. After an afternoon of exploring, pausing by the marshes to watch the colorful sunset is the perfect way to finish your afternoon jaunt.

Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Old Sheldon Church Ruins Sheldon, South Carolina

The Old Sheldon Church Ruins is a privately held historic property operated by the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort, South Carolina. While the ruins are open to the public, the use of the Churchyard is at the discretion of the Parish Church.

Per the site's historical marker, Old Sheldon Church was formerly Prince William's Parish Church built around the 1750s.

Prince William's Parish Church was partially burned during the Revolutionary War and repaired during the early 1820s.

During the Civil War, Prince William's Parish Church allegedly fell to General Sherman's "scorched earth" policy. The ruins as they stand today are the subject of discourse among locals and visitors alike. However, Francis Taylor presented an alternative theory with the introduction of a letter from Milton Leverett to his family stating that locals actually destroyed the Church to rebuild their Sherman-ravaged homes in The Leverett Letters: Correspondence of a South Carolina Family, 1851-1868 (2000) University of South Carolina Press, contradicting Sherman's involvement in the destruction of the Church.

Whatever the history, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins is a popular destination.

The site is open during daylight hours. Parking is available across the street.

Picnic tables are readily available under the oak canopies. The only request of the Parish Church is that visitors are respectful of the Churchyard, taking their trash with them and not damaging the trees or grave markers.

Picnic area at Old Sheldon Church Sheldon, South Carolina

The dedication of the Church Parish toward the preservation of the Churchyard is readily visible upon entry of the grounds. Walking through the grounds among the historic oak trees reveals the on-going preservation of the natural area showing reinforcement (bricking-up) of these beautiful oak trees that have witnessed the history of the site.

Many of the oak trees bear evidence of the Parish Church's commitment to maintaining the elegant beauty of the Churchyard.

Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead

From the Old Sheldon Woods Trail

Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead is preserved by the Beaufort County Open Land Trust. Old Sheldon Woods is located off Old Sheldon Church Road across from the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. Parking is plentiful and the area is well-maintained. Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead is open to the public during daylight hours.

Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead on a scale of easy to what-was-I thinking is a fairly easy well-marked trail that is roughly 3/4 of a mile. A heavy sneaker will do the trick.

The trail runs alongside the marsh and affords amazing views of wetlands and wildlife. From the wispy Spanish Moss blowing in the breeze to the birds, Old Sheldon Woods Trail reminds one to pause a moment and just inhale the peaceful tranquility of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Make sure you have your camera at the ready! The dramatic wetland landscape of the ACE Basin provides opportunities for amazing captures of nature and wildlife alike. From the hobby photographer to the family vacation picture-taking adventurer, Old Sheldon Woods provides amazing opportunities that need to be experienced, not merely seen through a lens.

View of the marsh from Old Sheldon Woods Trail

Marshes at Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead

Marshes by the Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead

The marshes by the Old Sheldon Woods Trailhead are estuaries of the South Edisto River and are part of the ACE Basin. There is a small amount of parking for this beautiful spot, but there is no landing. Fishing from the bank or the old dikes that extend out into the marsh areas is par for the course and highly recommended by local fishermen.

Dike crossing on the marsh by Old Sheldon Woods

According to the fishermen and women to whom I have spoken while exploring, they catch everything from flounder, drum, eels, mudfish, croaker to brim. The afternoon hikes followed easy conversations with locals about fishing and what bait works well.

Of course, fishermen do not share their secrets or their best fishing spots, only the general location. If you see a chair peeking out behind brush, be assured that there is a fisherman close or "just a way down the bank over yonder".

While Sheldon may be a bit off the beaten path, it is conveniently located off Hiway 17 South making it an easy add to any daytrip itinerary toward historic Charleston or the amazing Port Royal Sound in Beaufort. For anybody wanting a few moments away from the insanity of a fast-paced world or crowds, Sheldon's rustic feel captures the laidback vibe of Lowcountry living in the ACE Basin.