History
Mosquito Beach History
Historic Mosquito Beach is a short strip of high ground fronting King Flats Creek at the southern border of Sol Legare Island on James Island, SC.
In its heyday, Mosquito Beach was a cultural, commercial, and recreational epicenter for the black community in the Lowcountry during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation. The survival of the structures, sites, and overall ambiance of the strip speaks to the empowerment and entrepreneurship, as well as the sustainment of culture and tradition displayed by African Americans during a time of deep oppression.
Mosquito Beach has weathered many storms but it remains a vibrant gathering place and a testament to the experiences of the Gullah-Geechee people of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Undated photograph of Virgil Singleton’s 1954 Buick, courtesy of Bill “Cubby” Wilder
1989 photograph of Boardwalk Club Pavillion (before Hurricane Hugo), courtesy of Bill “Cubby” Wilder
Interior main room of D&F’s, looking east at kitchen, photo taken March 2019 by Historic Charleston Foundation
This material was produced with assistance from the African American Civil Rights grant program, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.
This material was produced with assistance from the African American Civil Rights grant program, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.