PHOTO ESSAY: Neglecting part of our history

Editor’s Note: For a community that relishes its history, inaction is allowing destruction of a historical gem.  Let’s hope state lawmakers will review a reasonable alternative so the historic district’s buildings can be saved.  Click here to reach out to the Charleston County legislative delegation, chaired by S.C. Rep. Peter McCoy, R-James Island.

By Don Campagna, special to Charleston Currents  | During World War Two, Charleston was homeport for 23 Army-operated hospital ships and was where 75,000 of those most grievously wounded in the European and African campaigns returned to America.

But now, Palmetto Railway, a division of the S.C. Department of Commerce, is in the process of demolishing buildings on the National Register of Historic Places that are located in the Charleston Naval Hospital Historic District in North Charleston. The reason: To build a rail line to connect to port facilities.  Even the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found that constructing a rail spur that will bisect the district will have a “Severe Adverse Effect” on its historical and cultural value.

Nevertheless, Palmetto Railway has insisted on the route, even though there is, as the law requires, a “reasonable and prudent alternative.” An out-of-service track completely avoids the Historic District and the owner, CSX, offered to enter into a shared-use agreement. But that would have also meant sharing the $50 rail fee on each container that will come through the Leatherman Port, so Palmetto Railway opted to sacrifice history for the sake of revenue.

But it would appear that Palmetto Railway is not in compliance with 11 state statutes.  It would be helpful if members of the appropriate state legislative committees were to ask the division to appear and justify their actions.  Section 6-29-775 of state law on “use of property obtained from the Federal Government.” clearly states that property in the hands of a state agency is subject to the same restrictions as if it was in the hands of the federal government.  This is particularly important given the preservation covenants that were part of the deed when the naval base closed allow the feds to take the land back if a state agency violates the terms

By Palmetto Railway’s action, for the sake of a few dollars, the memory of the Greatest Generation’s service and sacrifices will be lost on the graveyard of history.

• Read a 2016 essay on the historic district by Campagna.

These recent photographs show the neglect and decay at the site.   

Don Campagna, a U.S. Navy veteran, is the public information officer of the Naval Order of the United States.  He lives in North Charleston.   Have a comment?  Send to:  editor@charlestoncurrents.com