Meggett 1925

In the early 1900s, the Town of Meggett was a major lowcountry railroad hub, connecting the waterway freight system and truck farmers.  The town also served as a major distribution point for the second largest oyster and fish cannery in the state.  In the 1920s, the South Carolina Produce Association built a large two story brick building to house the Association and the Farmer's Exchange Bank.  Along    with the adjacent post office, railroad depot, packing shed and large mercahants building,  downtown Meggett prospered for over 30 years.  However, the advent of refrigerated trucks, the decline of the oyster industry and the consolidation of the railroad led to the decline of the town.

In 2001, the Meggett Citizen Planning Committee studied the town's assets and made recommendations to retrun the town to its prosperity era.  With history as the driving force, the Committtee developed a master plan to provide a wide array of social, economic and recreational opportunities for the citizens of the town and surrounding areas.  The project was named  "Meggett 1925" to reflect the town's glory days.

The initial phase was to generate community support by constructing the Donor's Pavilion, a covered walkway connecting the present town hall and the adjacent Association building.  The Donor's Pavilion allowed every citizen to become involved through volunteer work or financial support.  The sale of brick pavers, T-shirts and Christmas ornaments helped raise funds for the project, reducing the town's dependence on grants and other tax dollars.

With a South Carolina Department of Transportaion Enhancement Grant,  in-kind services, volunteers and town funds, the town is restoring the Association building.  It will have spaces to be leased to professional businesses, thus generating additional funds for the project.  The offices of the town hall will also be moved to this building and there will be a large meeting hall on the second floor.  Just across the street is the new community park, featuring a pond, walking trail, shelters, benches and a playground with safe equipment.  Meggett has also received a grant to install sidewalks, historical lighting and landscaping to this little downtown area.

Future plans include reconstructing the railroad depot and packing shed, as well as the merchants building.  Several interested parties are considering making the depot a restaurant and the packing shed can be a venue for weekend farmers markets, arts and craft shows, and antique fairs.  The merchants building  will provide small retail spaces with quality facilities for citizens and other entrepreneurs to locate their businesses.

By bringing citizens and businesses together who have volunteered their time and donated talents and funds, the ambitious master plan to bring Meggett back to it once thriving existence is well on its way!