South Carolina Highway 61 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by SCDOT | ||||
| Length | 67.05 mi (107.91 km) | |||
| Existed | 1923–present | |||
| Tourist routes |
 Ashley River Road |
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| Major junctions | ||||
| South end |  SC 30 in Charleston |
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| North end |  US 78 near Branchville |
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| Location | ||||
| Counties: | Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton, Bamberg | |||
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South Carolina highways
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→South Carolina Highway 61 (SC 61) is a state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It stretches about 67 miles (108 km) long. This highway runs from SC 30 in Charleston to U.S. Route 78 (US 78) near Branchville.
Even though it's called a north-south highway, SC 61 actually travels more from east to west. A special part of SC 61 is known as a National Scenic Byway. This means it's a road with beautiful views and important history.
Contents
Exploring South Carolina Highway 61
SC 61 changes names and scenery as it travels across South Carolina. Let's explore the different parts of this interesting road.
St. Andrew's Boulevard: The Start of the Journey
The eastern part of SC 61 is called St. Andrew's Boulevard. This section goes from US 17 to SC 171. It used to have many homes, but now it has more businesses.
Ashley River Road: A Historic Path
Ashley River Road is a famous part of SC 61. It runs near the Ashley River in Charleston. This section is known for its beauty and history.
Near Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, it has four lanes. But as you go further, it becomes a two-lane road. This scenic stretch is lined with many large oak trees. You can also see several historic plantations along the way.
Some interesting places you can visit on Ashley River Road include:
- Drayton Hall
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and the Audubon Swamp Garden
- Middleton Place Plantation
- Shadowmoss Plantation - a Golf Club & Residential area
- MacLaura Hall - a private home
Beech Hill Road: Connecting Towns
Beech Hill Road is the section of SC 61 that goes from SC 165 to US 17A. The Legend Oaks Plantation is located just south of this part of the highway.
Augusta Highway: The Longest Stretch
Augusta Highway is the longest section of SC 61. It starts from US 17A and continues all the way to the western end of SC 61. Here, it joins US 78.
Ashley River Road: A National Historic Place
The Ashley River Road is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's recognized for its important history and beauty. Later, in 1993, it became part of the larger Ashley River Historic District. This district helps protect the history and natural beauty of the area.
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Ashley River Road
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Ashley River Road 2.9 mi N of Bees Ferry Rd 2
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| Nearest city | Summerville, South Carolina |
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| Area | 95 acres (38 ha) |
| Built | 1691 |
| Part of | Ashley River Historic District (ID93001514) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003831 |
| Added to NRHP | November 21, 1983 |
History of SC 61
SC 61 has changed a bit over the years. It wasn't always called SC 61 along its entire route.
From SC 65 to SC 61
| Location: | Bamberg County–Dorchester County, South Carolina |
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| Existed: | 1929–1952 |
A part of what is now SC 61 used to be called South Carolina Highway 65 (SC 65). This highway was created in 1929. It connected different areas in Bamberg, Colleton, and Dorchester counties.
Over time, SC 65's path changed a few times. Finally, in 1952, SC 65 was officially renamed and became part of SC 61. This made the highway system simpler.
The Future of SC 61
Many new homes are being built further along Ashley River Road. This has caused some discussion about how to manage growth. One big debate happened when the city of North Charleston decided to take over a large piece of land called Watson Hill. Developers wanted to build on this land.
To help with traffic, there's an idea to extend Glenn McConnell Parkway (also known as SC 461). This road runs next to SC 61. Extending it could help ease traffic on Ashley River Road as more people move to the area.
Images for kids
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Ashley River Road 2.9 mi N of Bees Ferry Rd 2
