A Whole New World

The “Carolina” sailed up the Ashley River in the spring of 1670 and decided to drop anchor just north of Wappoo Creek in a smaller inlet that what would be become known as Old Towne Creek. Why this creek was chosen over the many other available inlet opportunities may be one of perceived advantage and/or tactics. But the colonists had made their choice and would name the area Albemarle Point after the Duke of Albemarle, one of the Lord Proprietors. Later they would venture from this initial settlement, creating a short-lived “New Town” settlement on Wappoo Creek, setting up plantations along the river systems and establishing Charles Towne on the peninsula.
Later the area of the earlier settlements would become part of St. Andrew’s Parish created by the Church Act of 1706. When the Parish turned from agrarian to suburbia in the early 20th century, Albemarle and St. Andrew’s were choices that would continue to be used in the names of streets, subdivisions, businesses, clubs and churches.
Albemarle Point is one such unique little neighborhood that developed along the west bank of the Ashley River. A narrow causeway accesses this point, nestled in the marsh along Wappoo Creek. Thomas C. Stevenson Jr. owned the land and not only subdivided it for development in the 1940s but also built himself a home at 1 Albemarle Point. Ultimately, ten homes were constructed on the point. Each one has a story full of nostalgia from a quieter time that includes memories of children and pets playing on front lawns, horseback riding, tire swings, railroad tracks, swimming in man-made tidal canals, and exploring surrounding farmland and new adjoining neighborhoods.
One home was referred to as the “Country Club” because it had a swimming pool and tennis court. Another home was constructed of cinder blocks painted the Charleston Rainbow Row pink. One home was constructed from two old buildings floated down the Ashley River from the Stark Hospital and knitted together on the Point to become a residence. Today many Albemarle Point homes are owned by the sons or daughters of those who originally built homes. The attachment to a naïve time of peaceful, friendly neighborhoods is strong here as in many sections of St. Andrew’s Parish. Albemarle Point residents hold fast and dear to this treasure of a neighborly quality of life.
At the childhood home of Robert Ball Jr. on Albemarle Point, you can enjoy a view of the peninsula, the marshes of Wappoo Creek, the Country Club of Charleston and soak up a story with deep lowcountry roots. Robert’s father, Robert T. Ball was a decorated World War II Air Corps pilot who married Elizabeth Martin, a former Miss Charleston, on October 10, 1944. They lived on Campbell Drive in Byrnes Downs from 1949 to 1954. On January 6, 1947 Ball purchased a lot from Stevenson on which to build a family home.
Using bricks bought from the original Charleston Orphan House when it was torn down in 1953, Ball built his home between 1953 and 1954. Ball Jr.’s contribution to the nostalgic stories could fill a few pages. His lineage is deep, his memory is fond and his love for his family home is palpable. Today he shares the childhood home with his wife, Betty Gore. There along the banks of the Wappoo Creek he is home, just like so many others with great stories of growing up and molding the community of St. Andrew’s Parish.
Neighborhood memories? Contact Donna Jacobs at westashelybook@gmail.com.