35 Questions for West Ashley

One of the first discussions in the West Ashley Flashback was on perspective. I’ve gained a lot of this while researching the modern history of St. Andrew’s Parish, West Ashley. But mostly what I’ve gained is a list of questions. Each time I meet someone new, fill in a blank, knit a story together, or discover an interesting historical fact I realize later that I only have more questions. The unfortunate situation with all these questions is where are the answers? I believe they’re right here in the community and I need everyone’s help tracking them down. So here I go with the questions:
When did the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (Charleston to Savannah) stop running? It seems to me that the tracks were already gone on what is now the West Ashely Greenway in the 1980s. Railroad history is fascinating, help me uncover railroad memories and answers.
Why was the building on the property that Joe Harrison purchased in 1916 known as a “dance hall?” This one is very intriguing. Harrison converted the building to his home when he purchased the property according to the stories from family members. The home still exists today in Moreland with a magnificent view of the Ashley River.
In the same train of thought, on the plat of the “Craft Tract” that Rene Ravenel prepared for Joe Harrison in 1916 there’s a small drawing of an “Old Fort” in the curve of the “Public Road” shortly after the Ashley River Bridge. Who remembers this or knows it from a map of fortifications of the area?
Was the Charleston County Market at the corner of Wappoo Road and Savannah Highway built as a Farmer’s Market or a depot or some combination? Where are the railroad history buffs? The community would love the answer.
Who built the Truluck Airport and when did it become Air Harbor?
When was the Ashley Theater and the Magnolia Drive-In Theater built? Who built them? When did each one quit showing movies? Someone has to have a Saturday matinee story or a drive-in movie family outing or dating story.
When did the shops along Avondale Avenue get torn down? Today only the bank building remains on that side of the road.
What’s the brick structure on Dulsey Road that people call a “powder magazine?” Did you ever play in it and what do you know about it?
Who remembers the Golden Acorn, a gift shop on Savannah Highway near the original Bootles Barbecue?
Why was Blocks A-F of Byrnes Downs never developed on the North side of Savannah Highway as shown on the plat, but later developed as Westwood?
Who remembers Club 17, Come On In, or the Sugar Bowl?
These are just a few of the questions needing answers and the answers will most likely lead to more questions. That is the fun part of this exploration into the modern history of West Ashley.
 
If you have the answers to these questions or know something fun about the history of West Ashley, contact Donna at westashleybook@gmail.com.