Clubs can take many different forms in a community. St. Andrew’s Parish was no exception. There were Service Clubs (April 18, 2012 Flashback), Cycling Clubs (Jan. 22, 2014 Flashback), Night Clubs (Dec. 7, 2011 and May 8, 2013 Flashbacks), Social Clubs (June 5, 2013), Garden Clubs, and Civic Clubs. The history of these various clubs bring a rich dimension to the history of St. Andrew’s Parish and in each category there exists numerous examples of fun community stories to relay.
Garden Clubs played an important role in the early suburban development of the Parish. The ladies of these young neighborhoods formed Garden Clubs and became members of the Council of Garden Clubs of Greater Charleston.
The Clubs planted trees, landscaped neighborhood entrances, held meetings and provided a social outlet for these women. Byrnes Downs formed its Garden Club in 1948. The history of its numerous activities are well documented in the Club’s scrapbook prepared by May Rossiter.
In December of 1953 the Byrnes Downs Garden Club became the West Ashley Garden Club opening membership to all “interested residents west of the Ashley River.” A few of the other Parish Garden Clubs included: The Westwood Garden Club formed in 1952, The South Windermere Garden Club formed in 1953, The Edgewater Park Garden Club formed in 1955, The Melrose Garden Club formed in 1961, and The Garden Club of Drayton on the Ashley formed in 1967. Some of these Garden Clubs are still meeting today and some have transformed themselves into Civic Clubs or Neighborhood Associations.
On Oct. 26, 1954 a group of West Ashley Civic Clubs organized into the St. Andrew’s Council of Civic Clubs. “Join Hands Build a Better Community” was the slogan on the Council’s brochure. The first year was spent in drafting and accepting a constitution, by-laws and charter. The second year was about fun, safety, voting precincts, and merger with the City of Charleston.
The Council began a recreational program dedicate to improving recreational facilities; “Alert and Alive” bumper stickers were designed and distributed for a Driver Safety Campaign; more voting precincts were requested for the Parish; and the debate began on the “pros and cons concerning merger with the City of Charleston.”
By the third year (1957-58) the project list was extensive and included the appointment of two special committees to “study and bring recommendations for (1) St. Andrew’s central sewer system and (2) unification with Charleston.” Eight new clubs joined the Council that year bringing the membership to 26. This represented a mixture of neighborhood civic clubs and affiliates of national organizations like the Jaycees and Civitans. Not bad for an area that included seventy-two subdivisions.
 
Club stories and memories? Contact Donna at westashleybook@gmail.com

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