Walking the 'Ville: Historic Downtown--A New Addition to Summerville's Tour Options

Cherished landmarks, both past and present, are scattered throughout Summerville's celebrated downtown area, each with a fascinating story to tell. Unfortunately, a story is all that remains for some. They have "crumbled to the ground and become dust in the wind. Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away. And all your money won't another minute buy," so says a famous song. Residents and visitors desiring to know the stories associated with these points of interest can access various interactive tours made available by the town to assist them in their quest.

Beginning in November of 2021, a group of Summerville representatives and residents came together to form a new tour team interested in expanding the town's tour options. The group brainstormed lots of potential tours. Many of them remain possibilities for the future. However, for the present, they decided to focus on Hutchinson Square and surrounding streets to bring more walking traffic to local businesses and increase interest in the museum.

In celebration of Summerville's 175th Anniversary, the Tour Team launched its new walking tour on June 1st called Walking the 'Ville: Historic Downtown. The starting point is the Summerville Dorchester Museum located at 100 E. Doty Street. The tour is very navigable with an interactive and downloadable map posted on the Visit Summerville site. Totaling thirteen stops, QR code signs will be located at each point of interest for you to scan with your cell phones or tablets. Pictures of the original landmarks are provided along with a detailed history and a complete audio summary. Video below is an example of audio summary you can download as you view the landmark in person.

The thirteen stops are Summerville Dorchester Museum, the Icehouse, the Bittershon Inn, Coburn Hutchinson House, James F. Dean Theater, Town Hall, Guerin's Pharmacy, Saul Alexander's Clothing Store, the Railroad Depot, the Summerville Arch, Church of the Epiphany-Kitty Springs, the Timrod Library, and Worlds Largest Iced Sweet Tea Jar called Mason. If you are superstitious, we will call it ten stops plus three. The final three are considered bonus stops.

The Town Tour Team included Tina Zimmerman; Visitors Center, Rita Berry; Chamber, Dr. Ed West, Ken Battle, Danny Hughes and Pam Giesick; Summerville Museum, Ellen Priest; former Summerville Journal Scene Publisher, Perrin Cothran Conrad; local author and tourism professional, Steve Doniger; DREAM Executive, George McDaniel; Drayton Hall Director Emeritus, Deb Campeau, and other advisors.

So, put on your walking shoes and grab your cell phones. Go to the Visit Summerville site and download the map. Visit each of the points of interest and learn about the landmarks place and impact on Summerville's history. As you stroll from location to location, take a break for a refreshing drink of whatever suits your fancy at one of the numerous cafes, drinking holes or food establishments. Relax in the square and immerse yourself in its absorbing atmosphere and soak in the sounds of a town on the move. There is history to be learned and history in the making.