Kate Di Silvestre

Wadmalaw Island (Images of America) Kate Di Silvestre

Wadmalaw Island has remained a timeless representation of a bygone era. A once thriving plantation economy, Wadmalaw boasted of cotton, indigo, and rice plantations that also housed the town of Rockville: a quaint, seaside retreat for the local planters. Lowcountry architecture was seen throughout the island in the designs of the plantations and summer vacation homes. Time and events did not leave the island unscathed, and Wadmalaw fell victim to war and financial hardship as did the rest of the South. Wadmalaw weathered the harsh conditions and was able to continue its sleepy way of life into the 20th century. Rockville also became home to the well-known Rockville Regatta that brings thousands of visitors to the island. Despite surrounding growth that has threatened it, Wadmalaw has continued to maintain its unique noncommercial air and retains the agricultural focus on which it was founded.