In 2013, Condé Nast Traveler declared that Charleston was the Best City in the World. Everyone knows that tourism is big business in the Lowcountry, but maybe you didn’t know that there was once a group called the “Charleston Colonels” who traveled to promote tourism for Charleston.
Daniel Hesser Groves, known to everyone as Dan, was one of the nine original “Charleston Colonels” appointed in 1953 by Mayor William McGillivray Morrison according to the family biography. The “Charleston Colonels” traveled extensively for several years on a mission to bring awareness to the world of the great attractions of Charleston.
Groves was involved in several businesses on the peninsula before he was called to duty during World War II. When he returned from the war he and his wife, Carnice, made the decision to purchase an existing establishment on Savannah Highway known as the Old Town Motor Court. This decision began their career in the motel business and set the stage for their larger civic commitment to the community of St. Andrew’s Parish.
The Old Town Motor Court and Coffee Shop was a two story house-like structure that sat at the corner of Savannah Highway and Central Avenue (now known as White Oak Drive). In addition to this main building there were individual cabins — or cottages as the sandwich board advertised — located on the site for the traveling guests. One of the first ventures for Groves at this location was to open Club 17. The sign advertised “Fried Chicken, Seafood, Western Steaks” as well as “Curb Service.” Live music was also part of Club 17’s weekend offerings.
It wasn’t long before Groves purchased additional land surrounding this establishment and began building a modern version of the Old Town Motor Court. A post card from the Court described: “Nearest court to famous gardens — Air Conditioned Dining Room — Spacious Comfortable Bed Rooms — Air Conditioned —Summer and Winter — Individual Room Thermostat Control — Beautifully Furnished with Heyward-Wakefield ‘Old Colony’ Furniture — Private Tiled Baths — tub or shower-Circulating Ice Water-Large Guest Lounge —Sound Proof, Fire Proof Construction — Some Rooms with Open Fireplaces. Owned and Operated by Mr. and Mrs. Dan H. Groves, Telephone 9424. Located on ‘Ocean Hi-way’ U.S. 17, 2 1/2 mi. South of Charleston, SC”
The original Court building was converted to the Town House restaurant providing complete menu service. But the real feature of this new tourist accommodation was the addition of a swimming pool. This swimming pool was ” … probably the first such pool to be built at any motor court in the Carolinas,….” according to the article in the News & Courier about this “refreshing attraction.”
Groves proudly used a new innovation for the construction of the pool involving steel mesh, blown concrete that was mixed just prior to the nozzle of the hose and an application of “white silicite.” The pool was lit underwater, had a diving board, and was surrounded with a sitting area that was landscaped.
Later Groves would change the name from the Old Town Motor Court to the Camilla Motel, the original Old Town Motor Court would be moved, the cabins torn down, and the Howard Johnson’s constructed. Dan and Carnice Groves had placed an indelible footprint on the tourist accommodation industry in West Ashley.
Because of Groves’ business presence in the community he was a member of numerous civic organizations, including serving as President of the St. Andrew’s Parish Exchange Club. However, as the saying goes, behind every successful man is a powerful woman. And for Groves this was his wife, Carnice. She was instrumental in the execution of the details of running the motel business thus contributing to their success. Her involvement even expanded into design. She drew the graphic that became the front of the postcard for the Old Town Motor Court and was involved with the design of the Howard Johnson Motel and pool. This pool featured a fountain, a 20-foot high two platform diving board and a two-window viewing area. In addition, her civic involvement in the community is well documented and included serving as Secretary of the St. Andrew’s Parish Exchange Club Auxiliary.
 
Any memories of swimming in the Old Town Motor Court or Howard Johnson pool? Contact Donna at westashleybook@gmail.com.

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