Farm Shed

Old farm shed with a wagon, especially in the fall. 

Tobacco Barn

These old tobacco barns used to dot the country side in the counties in SC where tobacco was the cash crop. Now, they are rarely seen. Many burned down drying the tobacco leaves and others just fell do to abandonment and neglect.

Out Building - Penn School

Another out building on the grounds of the historic Penn School in Frogmore, SC.

Old House - Penn School

This old house is actually part of the Penn School in Frogmore on St Helena Island in SC. The school was established by people from Pennsylvania after the war to educate former slaves in the area.

Shrimp Boat

Old shrimp boat abandoned in the marsh. Often these were run by families for generations.

White Picket Fence

There was always the proverbial White Picket fence. And, they are not always  in town. 

Back Porch of Sweatmans

And, if you don't want to dine in at Sweatman's there is always the side porch. This is where you get your "Take Out Orders"

Sweatmans BBQ

Don't let this old house fool you. This is the mecca for the best ribs and BBQ in South Carolina. The Sweatman family owned and ran the operation until a year or two ago. Every one knows to come early because when the food is gone, it is gone. And, the lines are going to be long. Cars are parked in random order under the old oak trees.

They only serve their wonderful food on Friday and Saturday, it takes the rest of the week to prepare it. They have to get the hickory wood. Then slowly burn the wood to make charcoal. After preparing the hog, they slow cook it over the smoldering coals for a long time. Then when the meat is literally falling off the bones, it is ready to be pulled and chopped.

Until the business was sold two years ago, there was no phone and if you made the mistake of showing up during the first two weeks in August, you were out of luck, Margie and Bub (Sweatman) closed shop those two weeks every year for a best deserved break.

Lunch on the Grounds at Sardis Church

There's a southern term, "lunch on the grounds" which refers to lunch that is served on the church grounds after the Sunday service. This can be to celebrate Homecoming or Revival. Whatever the reason it is a festive occasion, not just for the fellowship, but for the food. This is a meal of fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, biscuits - and, of course every church lady's most "famous" dessert, not that they would be competitive or anything. 

Some of my fondest memories were going to Lunch on the Grounds with my grandparents and my Grandmama's delightful biscuits and to die for coconut cake. (No one would dare show up with anything "store bought".)

This a picture of the tables under the picnic shed at Sardis Church, that I am sure were made just for that purpose. I can only imagine the good food and fine fellowship that has been shared over the past 130 years or so. 

Sardis Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery

Another view of Historic Sardis Church in Branchville, SC. 

Sardis Methodist Episcopal Church

This lovely historical church sits just outside Branchville SC. The original church, a log building, was built in 1811 on a site about a mile from the present one. A second one, a frame structure, to replace the first was built on that original site in 1849. The role of the church in 1849 shows "80 whites and 32 coloreds". In 1870, the church records show the frame structure was "so dilapidated it was torn down". The present church (shown here) was constructed in 1871 and still stands today. 

Rail and Barn

An old red barn and fence post.

Old Mailboxes

Some are rusty, some have bit the dust, but most still serve their purpose, all having seen a better day.