25 Georgetown, South Carolina

The ICW is passing through marshland again. Now dykes have appeared at either side with curious draining devices. It seems that these marshes were once rice paddies.

It was found, almost by accident, that rice could be grown in the marshlands around Georgetown. You could use the tides to move the brackish water in and out on demand. By 1840 half of all the rice grown in North America was “Carolina Gold.” The wealthy built fine homes in Georgetown. Many (from 1750 onwards) are restored and lived in. They are more modest that the ones at Beaufort but well proportioned and attractive.
It is such a pretty town we stayed several days.
We got to know these landmarks well.


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In the silent black and white movie “Pied Piper Malone“, a misunderstood mariner’s reputation is restored by a throng of children he has befriended. It was filmed in 1923 right here in Georgetown. Thirty local children (including Muriel Higgins, 8 years) were recruited for the all-important throng. The film was forgotten; all copies lost….until one showed up in, of all places, Russia. Today they are going to screen it at the Strand theatre, Front Street, which is right opposite the clock tower.

The whole town turned up. Some had walkers. Muriel Higgins and five other surviving ‘children’ arrived in antique cars.

A white haired lady from the historical society stood and read an introduction. Mildred’s grandson sat down at the piano to accompany the film. The lights went out.

A steamer, with a thin funnel amidships supporting a column of black smoke, brought the hero to the dock near the clock tower (just ahead of where we are tied up now). The flickering drama unfolded. The audience gasped as familiar streets and homes appeared. The hero’s honor was restored. The girl with the white face and black eye shadow loved him after all, and the swarm of children waved congratulations as his ship departed.
When the lights came on, everyone applauded the screen. The theatre was full of chatter.