Awendaw Photos – Charleston County, South Carolina

The small town of Awendaw is located 15 miles north of Mount Pleasant and about 6 miles south of McClellanville on US 17. The town stretches only 12 miles, and 65 percent of its area is made up of protected lands, including the Francis Marion National Forest, Cape Romaine National Wildlife Refuge, Sewee Environmental Center, and the Center for Birds of Prey. Residents here enjoy unobstructed marsh views, and long reaching forests.

Locals will tell you that life in Awendaw changed forever when Hurricane Hugo hit the coast in 1989. The hurricane brought unprecedented destruction to all of the Southeast, but especially to Awendaw and its neighbor McClellanville, who faced the the most destructive side of the storm. When emergency resources were doled out, Awendaw citizens found themselves at the short end of the stick, and realized that they had to unite to protect themselves from future emergencies.

Awendaw was incorporated to a township in 1992, and native Rev. William H “Bill” Alston was elected as the first Mayor, serving until 2009. However, like many coastal towns, their beautiful environment has attracted developers, and the town is presently walking the fine line between over-development and maintaining its rural charm.