RIDGELAND

If you are seeking a place with a mild climate, unhurried atmosphere, convenient location, affordable accommodations and a growing business district, your search is over.

The people of Ridgeland welcome you whether you are a newcomer settling permanently in our community or a visitor here for a short stay. We call ourselves the "Heart of the Lowcountry" not only because we are centrally located to some of the finest tourist destinations in the world, but also because our friendly folks will extend a heartfelt welcome dripping with southern hospitality the likes of which you've never experienced.

Ridgeland is located on Interstate 95 about halfway between New York and Miami and is situated between the historic port cities of Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. Our location makes us an ideal home base for day visits to some of the most desirable tourist destinations in the southeastern US. We are about 30 miles from the ante-bellum homes and oak lined streets of historic Beaufort, 30 miles from the internationally famous Hilton Head Island Resort with its beautiful beaches and world class golf courses, and about 30 miles from Savannah with its historic squares and the biggest St. Patrick's Day parade outside of New York City.

After a day of activities in these busy tourist destinations, you can return to the unhurried atmosphere of our town to enjoy a stroll down our newly redeveloped Main Street, picnic in one of our parks, enjoy our playgrounds or just sit and relax over a good meal in our restaurants where home-cooking is a fact not an advertisement.

On the other hand, maybe you want to take a break from all the frantic rushing around and just have a real vacation day. It's all right to get up late, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then take a stroll down the Blue Heron Nature Trail. Enjoy the Butterfly Garden, see and learn about the area's native plants, watch for Bald Eagles or Blue Herons and experience the Lowcountry wetlands with its unique flora and fauna. The trail allows full access to the handicapped, provides a comfortable walking surface, and several observation decks from which a variety of native animal species may be observed. Benches and swings along the way allow for rest stops and opportunities to quietly enjoy some of the beauty that has made the Lowcountry famous. From the nature trail you can follow the Ridgeland Trail which will take you through the most interesting parts of town. It is well marked but should you get lost just ask one of our friendly townspeople. They'll get you back on the right track.

For those who are more ambitious, we offer our free tennis courts at Harold Turpin Park. Our nine hole golf course is a short ride away and you can play without a reservation and for half the cost you would pay elsewhere. The town has one of only two skate parks in the region and everyone is welcome to use the world class ramps and obstacles. You must bring your own skates and the wearing of safety gear is mandatory. For the younger set, there is a fully equipped playground, including swings, slides and spray pool. For lunch, fire up one of the grills in the park and enjoy a cookout. Our picnic shelter provides shade from the sun while you can still watch the kids on the playground.

Jasper County, of which Ridgeland is the county seat, is an area steeped in history. If historic sites are what you're looking for, visit Old House, the site of the boyhood home and now burial site of Thomas Heyward, Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. On your way to Old House you will pass by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and just down the road is Euhaw Baptist Church. Both date back to the middle of the last century and are definitely worth a few pictures. You might want to drive over to Robertville, home of the author of Robert's Rules of Order or perhaps Gillisonville to see the old Baptist Church, which was once headquarters to Union forces.

Whatever you want to do, the tourist scene, a lazy vacation day to recharge the batteries, or sightseeing the byways of America, Ridgeland is the ideal place to get started and return for the night. Our convenient location, comfortable and affordable accommodations, unhurried atmosphere, growing business district and friendly people combine to offer a lifestyle that is second to none.

*Reprinted with permission from the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce website

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