A headline from the Sept. 23, 1959 edition of the Charleston Evening Post read: “Parish Incorporation Questions Answered by Association Members.” Gene Risher, a staff writer for the Evening Post, lead the long Q&A article with: “The movement to incorporate St. Andrew’s Parish grew out of the feeling that the present governmental set-up in the parish is inadequate.”
Arthur Ravenel, Jr. was the chairman of the Association for the Incorporation of St. Andrew’s Parish that had formed in March of 1959. Executive and advisory committees were formed and membership included: Arthur Ravenel, Jr, W.H. Grimball, Jr, Richard Bradham, John M. Lengnick, Richard E. Seabrook, E.E. Alward, B.M. Edmondson, Dr. Leon Feldman, R.M. Hanckel, F.S. Hanckel, Cecil B. Kearse, William Kennerty, H.H. LaMar, Archie B. Meyers, I.D. Peek, W.L. Stevens, Jr, Paul Iricchio, Leroy Skinner, Jr, and Carl W. Welch, Jr. Familiar names in the story of St. Andrew’s Parish. This group wanted to carefully evaluate three alternatives: 1) to maintain the status quo; 2) to merge with the City of Charleston; 3) to incorporate the Parish.
More than 30 questions concerning incorporation were posed by Risher to Ravenel Jr, Bradham and Hanckel covering subjects from: “What does the association believe would be the advantages of incorporation?” (Ravenel — self government) to “What would happen to the public service district commission and the parks and playground commission?” (Bradham — cease to exist) to “Would it mean long-range tax increase of an amount greater that the increases which would probably be necessary under the present form of government?” (Ravenel – depends on demand for service).
The next day in the Charleston Evening Post the headline read: “West of Ashley Anti-Incorporation Group is Formed”. Harold A. Petit, Walter L. Schaffer, Sam M. Colclough, Percy Miley, W. Harold Butt, Ernest W. King, John Huguley, Dr. Gordon B. Stine, Capt. V.W.H. Campbell, and Rear Adm. Rae E. Arison (USN-retired) had met the evening before at the Lord Ashley Coach House to consider what was best for St. Andrew’s Parish.  The men had decided to come together after reading a report prepared by Capt. V.W.H. Campbell on the cost of incorporation.
Capt. Campbell was the chairman of the Charleston Unification Study Committee. A full page article penned by Campbell had appeared in the Thursday April 30, 1959 edition of The News and Courier. The headline read: “St. Andrew’s Parish Story One of Steadfast Growth” and the article gave an overview not only of the Parish’s history, but also of the population growth as the Parish transitioned from an agrarian to a suburban way of life. In the Sunday, May 31, 1959 edition of The News & Courier ran a second article, also penned by Campbell. The headline read: “Parish Resident Speaks His Mind – St. Andrew’s Growth Brings Headaches”.  In this half page article, Campbell discussed surface drainage, flooding, sanitary sewers, water pollution, streets, street lighting, sidewalks, library, parks and playgrounds, planning and zoning, governmental units, commissions growth, defects in organization, the future, and the need for a solution to the growing “chaos” in St. Andrew’s Parish due to the exponential population growth from the early 1920s.
Now the debate was on. Meetings, petitions, and negotiations were detailed in the newspaper. Two areas of the Parish, from the Ashley River to Wappoo Road on the railroad side of Savannah Highway, chose to merge with the City in an election held May 9, 1960. These areas were designated Ward 13 and Ward 14. In November of that same year, six more areas voted for merger. By the end of 1960, the majority of the Parish had become residents of the City of Charleston.
Any interesting perspectives on the incorporation of St. Andrew’s Parish? Contact Donna at westashleybook@gmail.com.

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