cadence
in a quiet garden
ROTHERHAM'S ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - Population 1,839 (2018)
“This centuries-old island is a delight for architecture lovers. The streets are laid with fantastic examples of antebellum buildings. The scenery is picture perfect and taken straight from a postcard of the historic South. It is home to beautiful beaches, mysterious beach caves, gorgeous architecture, historical light-houses and landmarks, acres and acres of floral displays and trails, and much more. Definitely a South Carolina hidden treasure. I plan on revisiting soon.”
- Michelle Rebardi, Travel Blogger ★★★★☆
Rotherham’s Island is a picturesque town just off the coast of South Carolina’s mainland. Little is known about the origin of what is presently known as Rotherham’s Island. The island was discovered in the late seventeenth century by Captain Orville Rotherham who arrived with a fleet of other ships that settled on the early island. Although many historical documents had been lost over the years and due to natural disasters and battles on the island, there are many rumors about the early years of the island and how it became what it is today. The common belief is that Orville Rotherham was general surveyor for a few years after discovering the island until his untimely demise in 1682, when he was just thirty-six years old. For as long as anyone can remember, the island has been ruled by the rich. Most of the residents of Rotherham’s Island are wealthy to an extent but the richest of the rich have the real power. The power in Rotherham’s Island is corrupt. It becomes clear to anyone who stays in Rotherham’s Island long enough that it is far less picture perfect than meets the eye.
NOTABLE LANDMARKS
ROTHERHAM'S ISLAND SCHOOLS
Unless you’re homeschooled, you are more than likely to attend any of the Rotherham’s Island’s schools. The elementary, middle, and high school are all directly beside each other -- some of their buildings even connecting. Rotherham’s Island Schools are known as the Home of the Pirates and are infamous among other district schools for their remarkable football team. Go Pirates!
ROTHERHAM BEACH
Rotherham Beach is easily one of the most popular locations on the island. It has smooth, pure-white sand, crystal clear water, and is home to many impressive beach homes and antebellum style mansions. The richest of the rich live here and do their best to keep it picture-perfect.
MOSSLEY BEACH "THE GRAVEYARD"
The Graveyard is aptly named for its bleached oak skeletons that often wash upon the shore. It’s far less popular than Rotherham Beach but is an incredibly popular area to find high school students hanging around. It is not uncommon to find wild keggers being thrown most weekends.
ROTHERHAM'S CAVES "THE CAVES"
Referred to simply as “The Caves,” The Caves are a mysterious group of caves located between Rotherham Beach and The Graveyard. Although most of the island is well aware of their existence, it has been generally advised to stay away from them. Due to the rise and fall of tides, people who venture into the caves are susceptible to drowning. Only the most daring go in and only few return. As dangerous as they are, however, they’re often the topic of bizarre myths, rumors, and more. The most popular rumor is that there is a sea monster that dwells in the caves and eats anyone who dares enter. It’s generally regarded as a hoax meant to scare children but there are some who truly believe in it.
LANGDALE BOTANICAL GARDENS
30 acres of gorgeous flora and trails makes up a large portion of the island. It is yet another of the more popular tourist attractions, people traveling miles just to see the lush scenery. The gardens have remained in the Langdale family for generations and remains one of the true prides of Rotherham’s Island. The gardens are free to visit and make great romantic locations, educational environments, and more.
MOSSLEY BEACH LIGHTHOUSE
As the only lighthouse on Rotherham’s Island, it’s hard to miss. The Mossley Beach Lighthouse was created just a few years after Orville Rotherham’s death and is believed to be one of the oldest architectures still standing in South Carolina. It is kept in its original state to preserve history. People are advised not to go inside it due to its unstable foundation but people have been known to go inside anyway.
ROTHERHAM MANOR INN
Rotherham Manor Inn is one of the largest mansions on the island. A sight to any history-lover, the inn is a large antebellum-style mansion that has been on the island since the first settlers arrived on their fleet of ships. The inn used to belong to Orville Rotherham where he lived as general surveyor of the island until he was found dead in 1682, just a few years after the island’s discovery. Since his death, rooms of the Rotherham Manor have been rented out to the general population.
JACK'S DINER
Jackson ‘Jack’ Stroud III is a legendary figure on Rotherham’s Island. He’s the owner of the popular diner that nears its one hundredth anniversary, a prime location for those looking for an affordable meal and a great way to sit around with some friends. It’s one of the more rundown buildings on the island but that’s all part of the charm.
MOSSLEY BEACH TRAILER PARK
Mossley Beach Trailer Park is a stark comparison to the rest of the island. Unlike the rich antebellum mansions most of the residents of the island reside in, Mossley Beach Trailer Park is a small community of... Less fortunate folk. This is where you'll find the, as most of the island puts it, good-for-nothing criminals and trailer trash. The small community resides on the south end of the island, right on Mossley Beach.
UNNAMED CEMETERY
Buried in the woods just a little ways from the Rotherham Manor Inn is a hidden little cemetery. Not much is known about the origins of it- or even how long it dates back to as many of the graves don't have any dates on them. Surprisingly, not many people know about the cemetery's existence at all. Most of the funerals that have happened take place on the mainland. Naturally, the cemetery is rumored to be haunted.
OTHER LOCATIONS
Gibbons Farms - A family owned business covering about 20 acres of the island.
Rotherham's Island Police Station
Anna's New and Used Bookstore
Feel free to recommend more.
“This centuries-old island is a delight for architecture lovers. The streets are laid with fantastic examples of antebellum buildings. The scenery is picture perfect and taken straight from a postcard of the historic South. It is home to beautiful beaches, mysterious beach caves, gorgeous architecture, historical light-houses and landmarks, acres and acres of floral displays and trails, and much more. Definitely a South Carolina hidden treasure. I plan on revisiting soon.”
- Michelle Rebardi, Travel Blogger ★★★★☆
Rotherham’s Island is a picturesque town just off the coast of South Carolina’s mainland. Little is known about the origin of what is presently known as Rotherham’s Island. The island was discovered in the late seventeenth century by Captain Orville Rotherham who arrived with a fleet of other ships that settled on the early island. Although many historical documents had been lost over the years and due to natural disasters and battles on the island, there are many rumors about the early years of the island and how it became what it is today. The common belief is that Orville Rotherham was general surveyor for a few years after discovering the island until his untimely demise in 1682, when he was just thirty-six years old. For as long as anyone can remember, the island has been ruled by the rich. Most of the residents of Rotherham’s Island are wealthy to an extent but the richest of the rich have the real power. The power in Rotherham’s Island is corrupt. It becomes clear to anyone who stays in Rotherham’s Island long enough that it is far less picture perfect than meets the eye.
NOTABLE LANDMARKS
ROTHERHAM'S ISLAND SCHOOLS
Unless you’re homeschooled, you are more than likely to attend any of the Rotherham’s Island’s schools. The elementary, middle, and high school are all directly beside each other -- some of their buildings even connecting. Rotherham’s Island Schools are known as the Home of the Pirates and are infamous among other district schools for their remarkable football team. Go Pirates!
ROTHERHAM BEACH
Rotherham Beach is easily one of the most popular locations on the island. It has smooth, pure-white sand, crystal clear water, and is home to many impressive beach homes and antebellum style mansions. The richest of the rich live here and do their best to keep it picture-perfect.
MOSSLEY BEACH "THE GRAVEYARD"
The Graveyard is aptly named for its bleached oak skeletons that often wash upon the shore. It’s far less popular than Rotherham Beach but is an incredibly popular area to find high school students hanging around. It is not uncommon to find wild keggers being thrown most weekends.
ROTHERHAM'S CAVES "THE CAVES"
Referred to simply as “The Caves,” The Caves are a mysterious group of caves located between Rotherham Beach and The Graveyard. Although most of the island is well aware of their existence, it has been generally advised to stay away from them. Due to the rise and fall of tides, people who venture into the caves are susceptible to drowning. Only the most daring go in and only few return. As dangerous as they are, however, they’re often the topic of bizarre myths, rumors, and more. The most popular rumor is that there is a sea monster that dwells in the caves and eats anyone who dares enter. It’s generally regarded as a hoax meant to scare children but there are some who truly believe in it.
LANGDALE BOTANICAL GARDENS
30 acres of gorgeous flora and trails makes up a large portion of the island. It is yet another of the more popular tourist attractions, people traveling miles just to see the lush scenery. The gardens have remained in the Langdale family for generations and remains one of the true prides of Rotherham’s Island. The gardens are free to visit and make great romantic locations, educational environments, and more.
MOSSLEY BEACH LIGHTHOUSE
As the only lighthouse on Rotherham’s Island, it’s hard to miss. The Mossley Beach Lighthouse was created just a few years after Orville Rotherham’s death and is believed to be one of the oldest architectures still standing in South Carolina. It is kept in its original state to preserve history. People are advised not to go inside it due to its unstable foundation but people have been known to go inside anyway.
ROTHERHAM MANOR INN
Rotherham Manor Inn is one of the largest mansions on the island. A sight to any history-lover, the inn is a large antebellum-style mansion that has been on the island since the first settlers arrived on their fleet of ships. The inn used to belong to Orville Rotherham where he lived as general surveyor of the island until he was found dead in 1682, just a few years after the island’s discovery. Since his death, rooms of the Rotherham Manor have been rented out to the general population.
JACK'S DINER
Jackson ‘Jack’ Stroud III is a legendary figure on Rotherham’s Island. He’s the owner of the popular diner that nears its one hundredth anniversary, a prime location for those looking for an affordable meal and a great way to sit around with some friends. It’s one of the more rundown buildings on the island but that’s all part of the charm.
MOSSLEY BEACH TRAILER PARK
Mossley Beach Trailer Park is a stark comparison to the rest of the island. Unlike the rich antebellum mansions most of the residents of the island reside in, Mossley Beach Trailer Park is a small community of... Less fortunate folk. This is where you'll find the, as most of the island puts it, good-for-nothing criminals and trailer trash. The small community resides on the south end of the island, right on Mossley Beach.
UNNAMED CEMETERY
Buried in the woods just a little ways from the Rotherham Manor Inn is a hidden little cemetery. Not much is known about the origins of it- or even how long it dates back to as many of the graves don't have any dates on them. Surprisingly, not many people know about the cemetery's existence at all. Most of the funerals that have happened take place on the mainland. Naturally, the cemetery is rumored to be haunted.
OTHER LOCATIONS
Gibbons Farms - A family owned business covering about 20 acres of the island.
Rotherham's Island Police Station
Anna's New and Used Bookstore
Feel free to recommend more.
Last edited:
