West Ashley facts for kids

Welcome to Charleston - West Ashley - Birthplace of Charles Towne

Citadel Mall in West Ashley

IMAX Stadium 16 Cinemas at Citadel Mall

West Ashley, also known as west of the Ashley, is a cool part of Charleston, South Carolina. It's one of six main areas in the city. In July 2022, about 83,996 people lived there. The name is easy to remember because it's located west of the Ashley River.

Discovering West Ashley

The first neighborhoods in West Ashley started growing in the 1950s after a big war. This area is super pretty, with views of the Ashley and Stono rivers. You can also see old oak trees covered in moss. Most of the homes and businesses were built in the 1970s and 1980s. This happened after new highways made it easier for people to travel to and from work.

When Interstate 526 (I-526) was built in the early 1980s and South Carolina Highway 461 (SC 461) in the 1990s, West Ashley grew very fast. Big stores moved here because there was lots of space for them. This space wasn't available in the older, busy downtown Charleston area.

The oldest neighborhoods in West Ashley are along U.S. Route 17 (Savannah Highway). This area is closest to downtown Charleston. The first shopping spots from the 1950s are now getting a fresh look. Many art and design shops have opened there in recent years.

Getting Around West Ashley

Some of the main roads in West Ashley include SC 7 (Sam Rittenberg Boulevard) and SC 61 (Ashley River Road). Other important roads are US 17 (Savannah Highway) and I-526. West Ashley also has the West Ashley Greenway. This is a popular path for walking and biking that runs next to Savannah Highway.

Fun Places and Important Spots

West Ashley is home to Citadel Mall, which is the biggest indoor shopping mall in the area. It also has Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Both of these places provide many jobs for people living nearby. WCSC-TV Channel 5, a local TV station, moved its offices to West Ashley in 1997. There's also a local newspaper called West Of that shares news about the area.

West Ashley is not its own city or town. Most of it is part of the city of Charleston. Some smaller parts are outside the city limits. These areas get services like trash collection from the Saint Andrews Public Service District.

A Look Back: West Ashley's History

Cabin at Charles Towne Landing

West Ashley is a very special place because it's where Charleston first began! In 1670, English colonists started their first lasting settlement here. It was at a spot called Albemarle Point. Local Native Americans, especially the Kiawah, helped the colonists find a good place to settle. It's thought that the Kiawah welcomed them. They hoped the colonists would help protect them from raids by the Westo Indians.

The first settlement was built quickly and had strong walls. This was because people worried about attacks from the Spanish. In 1680, the settlement moved to the Charleston peninsula. This new spot was between the Ashley and Cooper rivers. The original settlement area, which is about 663 acres, is now a historic park called Charles Towne Landing.

West Ashley During Wars

During the American Revolution, some small fights happened in West Ashley. British soldiers even took over parts of the area. For example, at Rantowles Creek, an American leader named William Washington defeated some British soldiers. Also, during the 1780 Siege of Charleston, there was fighting at Old St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Many enslaved people escaped to the British side during this time. Some even fought with the British and gained their freedom when the British left.

Before the American Civil War, West Ashley was mostly used for agriculture. It had many large farms where enslaved people were forced to work.

This historic marker was placed in 1999 to indicate the location of the town of Maryville, an early South Carolina town governed by African Americans from 1886 to 1936.

During the American Civil War, there was some military action here. West Ashley had several forts, but no major battles took place. However, in 1865, Sherman's army burned down Middleton Place Plantation. The Charleston and Savannah Railway connected downtown to West Ashley in the 1800s. The Union army tried to cut off this railway in 1864 but was stopped at the Battle of Burden's Causeway.

The Story of Maryville

West Ashley also includes the historic site of Maryville, a town that no longer exists. It was officially started in 1886 and became a town in 1888. Maryville included the spot of the first English settlement, which is now Charles Towne Landing State Historic Park. Land from a former farm was sold to African-American residents in the late 1880s. Mary Mathews Just bought land there and named the town Maryville after herself.

Maryville was a successful town run by African Americans. It had two churches, four stores, and seventy houses built in just two years. The town council met regularly to manage public projects and collect taxes. Important buildings included a two-story police station and town hall, and a school for Black students. There was also Invincible Park, which hosted dances and concerts. Sadly, the state of South Carolina ended the town's official status in 1936, even though it was a great example of self-governance.

Today, two historic places in West Ashley, Ashley Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

West Ashley Neighborhoods

Learning in West Ashley: Schools

West Ashley used to have two public high schools. Now, it has one big one called West Ashley High School. In 2017, it had 2,017 students and 135 full-time teachers. This school was created when Middleton and St. Andrews high schools joined together.

There are also seven public elementary schools in the area. These include Drayton Hall, Springfield, and St. Andrews School of Math and Science. For middle school, there are four public schools like C.E. Williams and Orange Grove. West Ashley also has many private schools. One well-known private school is Porter-Gaud School, which was founded in 1867 and teaches students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Major Shopping Centers

Famous People from West Ashley

• Ernest Everett Just: A famous African American biologist and zoologist. He was born in Maryville.

• Darius Rucker: The lead singer of the band Hootie and the Blowfish. He grew up in West Ashley and went to Middleton High School.

• Stephen Colbert: The host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He graduated from Porter-Gaud School, which is located in West Ashley.