Nothing Could Be Finer Than A Stay At Carolina Inn And White Gables During the Golden Years of Summerville

Upon leaving the downtown district of "New Summerville" in 1915 and entering the pine-lined, winding roads of "Old Summerville", you would have come upon a white directional sign offering you a choice between eight different lodging establishments.

Surveying the selections, the Pine Forest Inn was the recognizable grand dame, but around this year another name was emerging in popularity as an inn with exceptional accommodations and tasty cuisine.

The inn's address - the crossroads at W Carolina and Sumter Ave. But on this day of November 21, 2013, standing at the street sign marking the location, no traces of the graceful 67-room lodging with a swimming pool remained.

Unmercifully, in the 1960's, it suffered the same irreversibly regrettable fate that also awaited the Pine Forest Inn, total destruction. So, with some imagination and preserved photos, I gazed out over the heavily treed landscape and visually reconstructed the old inn.



Dorchester Inn

The property had a history as old as the trees that overshadowed it and an identity that varied as much as a chameleon changes colors. In 1810, Moore's Tavern stood on the property. It would become the Brown's Hotel around 1855 under the ownership of I.T. Brown--also called the Summerville House. The Brown's Hotel suffered damage from the 1886 earthquake. It closed around 1890 and reopened again in 1895. Next, it became known as the Dorchester Inn featuring full, wrap-around porches and numerous shuttered windows. In 1912, T.R. Moore owned the Dorchester Inn and after enlarging the structure, extensively remodeling the interior, and updating the building, it opened its doors as the Carolina Inn.

Wood-rail fencing, beautifully landscaped walking gardens, and an acquired reputation for excellent accommodations and cuisine, it would become preferred by many travelers for its discreet elegance and atmosphere in comparison to the opulence of the Pine Forest Inn. There was an east wing and a west wing with one large, window-lined dining room sectioned off into two dining spaces and table settings containing china and sterling. A third dining room was reserved for staff employees who accompanied their employers when staying at the inn. The fine cuisine included an offering of duck and quail, two dishes the inn's kitchen was renowned for.

Unlike the structured offerings of the Pine Forest Inn, there were no activities organized by management. Patrons were left to their own devices. One of the favorite pastimes of the guests was competing in bridge tournaments and competitions. Somewhat similar to tourism today, other diversions included historical tours, garden tours, maybe a silent movie at the Arcade Theatre, or shopping and sightseeing excursions into Charleston on the Southern Railway out of Summerville.

Looking down Sumter Ave toward W Carolina today.

 

Looking down Sumter Ave toward W Carolina in the early 1900's.

 

Carolina Inn is sometimes mistakenly confused with White Gables by some today--another inn found on the directional sign. A Southern adaptation of Greek Revival architecture, White Gables was built in 1830 at the crossroads of Palmetto and Richardson Streets and was purchased by Sarah Woodruff in the early 1900's. There are some interesting stories associated with the Woodruffs and White Gables. Sarah was Summerville's Scarlet O'Hara when it came to business.

There was about ten years age difference between Sarah and her husband, Harry Woodruff, a station master in Charleston. Mr. Woodruff had an infamous reputation as a gambler and according to a family story he once gambled away downtown Houston in a card game in Texas. Concerned about her husband's history and the family's monetary future, Sarah formed a plan to secure it. She always admired the White Gables property and after observing the large number of people coming from Charleston to stay at the Carolina Inn, saw a potential in the house and its servant cottages as a source of income and proceeded to boldly put the wheels in motion to purchase it.

One particular day Sarah's husband arrived at the Summerville train station from railroad business and as usual was met by the family retainer with his horse and carriage to take him home. Upon noticing a change in route, Mr. Woodruff asked the driver, "Charlie, where are you taking me?" As he pulled into the driveway, Charlie answered, "Mrs. Woodruff bought this house and this is where you live now." Sarah had no qualms about purchasing the property without her husband's knowledge. In addition, a man by the name of Henry Clay lived on the third floor for almost four years without Mr. Woodruff ever knowing. Mr. Clay was sent to Summerville by his doctor for health reasons and while looking for a place to board met Sarah and arrangements were contracted.

For nearly 26 years, White Gables was famous for Southern hospitality under Sarah's ownership. After the Woodruffs, eventually White gables became a private residence. It has survived the winds of change in Summerville. Today, it looks much like it did in the early 1900's, except some of the trees may be naturally bigger. It is presently up for sale. Would you be interested in owning a beautiful piece of Summerville history?

White Gables November 21, 2013

(Pictures taken from "Images of America-Summerville" by Jerry Crotty and Margaret Ann Michels and Porch Rocker Collections.)

Coastal Coffee Roasters In Summerville Was Jammin' With Justin James And Chelsea Summers

When people ask me what it was that brought me to Summerville, I have no clear cut answer other than White Gables, a beautiful development off of Central Ave patterned after homes in Charleston. Of the seven years I have been here in South Carolina, I hadn't spent a whole lot of time in downtown Summerville. Over the years I went to some of its restaurants, investigated the history of some of its more prominent landmarks, but mostly just passed through it on my way to Charleston.

It wasn't until I attended a Third Thursday that I began to take notice of its businesses and the warm hospitable spirit that is the brick and mortar of this truly southern community now overtaken by northerners with a love for what the Lowcountry offers. Aura Lee's Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories became a hang out for me on those occasions, the place where I met the Summers, a well known and well liked family in the town. Aura Lee Summers is the owner and Bill Summers greets patrons with a warm handshake and free Yuengling. Chelsea, their daughter, is the sweetheart of Summerville. She sings and plays guitar at various venues throughout Summerville and surrounding areas. Keep an eye on Chelsea, she is going places. Chelsea was one of the reasons for my visit to Coastal Coffee Roasters this stormy evening.

Bill, Aura Lee, and me

Coastal Coffee Roasters has won the hearts of Summerville's residents and has become the local hot spot. It is a family owned and serviced meet and greet hangout for people who just want to unwind with a cup of their own personalized coffee blend. And although their passion is coffee, they have added wine and craft beers to their selection. Brad and Jacki Mallett will do what it takes to win your patronage starting with a friendly smile. If you have doubts about what selection you want to try, they are more than willing to offer you a sample to tease your taste buds in the right direction. When not behind the counter, you will see them milling around rubbing shoulders with the friends. Special events and live music are also scheduled throughout the month. For a complete take on the services they provide go to Coastal Coffee Roasters. This night, Chelsea was opening for main headliner Justin James, a singer/songwriter from the Dominican Republic.

Chelsea Summers

Coastal Coffee Roasters sits just off of N. Main Street at 108 East 3rd. North Street. There is no flashy neon sign marking its location. It is just a simple, white and red brick building, mostly white, with a garage door. When I first walked through its entrance the open atmosphere and decor gave me the feeling of being at a party in a friends garage. There was an odd collection of old chairs and tables, the kind you would find in garage sales, all randomly spread around the floor. Right away I wanted to start shooting hoops at a basketball net hanging on one of its walls. There were burlap bags above the counter and on the walls, and to the right was the mother-of-all coffee machines. The stage area was set to the left. Some old couches were provided to sit on, the kind you might see on the porches of the coastal shacks in Gullah country. It was a cozy, comfortable state of happiness. Go figure, Summerville's flower, the azalea, was painted on the wall. Chelsea was already into one of her sets when I arrived.

Brad Mallett in white shirt and daughter behind

Coffee machine

Coastal Coffee Roasters' crowd

James and Brandi with friends of White Gables

It was to be Justin James first appearance in South Carolina. Born in Vancouver, Canada, Justin was an avid windsurfer who traveled to other countries at an early age looking for the perfect wind and wave. At the age of 20, while in Venezuela, he was attacked by a tiger shark and the next phase of his life was decided. During his recovery he wrote his first song. From that moment, there was no looking back. He spent a lot of time in Los Angeles perfecting his musical talent and traveled up and down the West Coast. His home is now the Dominican Republic. He wears the beach on his sleeve, has a Buffet attitude, and a Jack Johnson style, but all uniquely Justin. Currently he is on a three month tour of the East Coast, the Midwest, taking him back south through New Orleans and ending in Florida. Summerville was honored as his first stop on the tour. His next gig, the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms, Thursday, July 12th. For his full schedule go to Justin's tour. For his complete bio, music, videos, and lyrics go to Justin James. As Justin would say it's "A beautiful Life".

Justin James

Coastal Coffee Roasters would like to remind you "Life is too short to drink bad coffee".