Published Wednesday, September 8, 2004

SUMMERVILLE--Dozens of Dorchester County residents rallied Tuesday to urge County Council to save a chunk of land on the Ashley River from development.

They were rewarded with a surprise announcement that a deal to preserve the longtime boat landing at Bacons Bridge Road had been finalized that very afternoon.

It wasn't County Council but the Lowcountry Open Land Trust that emerged as the knight in shining armor. The trust will buy the 68-acre tract from Charleston Southern University for $325,000 and let the county use it for a park, Coy Johnston of Summerville, a longtime environmentalist, announced.

All County Council had to do was accept the gift.

Johnston read a letter from the land trust's board of directors to the university. He said he was assured by parties on both sides that the deal would go through.

Council voted unanimously to endorse the land trust's action.

Council voted not to buy the tract in July, then agreed to reconsider after a public outcry. The university could have sold the tract to several developers, but agreed to give council one more chance, Councilman Larry Hargett said.

"This is a great victory tonight," Drayton Hall Plantation Executive Director George McDaniel said after the meeting. "There will be other issues. I think the turnout tonight was a shot across the bow for what might happen with Watson Hill."Those concerned about preserving the scenic Ashley River corridor were shocked recently to learn that Westvaco is considering selling a huge tract near historic Middleton Plantation to a developer who could build as many as 5,000 houses. The tract is being called Watson Hill.

Tuesday evening's meeting packed council chambers with about 150 people.

Besides natural appeal, the Bacons Bridge site has historic significance. It was an Indian trail and a hiding place for "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion during the Revolutionary War.