According to Wikipeida, both spellings are correct for the largest island in South Carolina. Johns Island is bordered by the Wadmalaw, Seabrook, Kiawah, Edisto, Folly and James Islands.The Stono and Kiawah rivers separate Johns Island from its border islands. It is the fourth largest island on the US east coast, surpassed only by my birthplace of Long Island, Mount Desert Island and Marthas Vineyard. Johns Island is 84 square miles in area. As of 2015, the population of Johns Island was approaching 21,000 residents. The first settlers to this island were from the beautiful island of Barbados.
Compared to more developed towns in and around Charleston, it is still holding fast to it’s countrified farm-like personality but is showing signs of growing pains with it’s development and progress. I do enjoy driving the gracious oak lined roads as if you were traveling through a tunnel of trees. The town boasts The Angel Oak…. estimated to be 400–1500 years old and named for Justus Angel, nineteenth century owner of the land on which it stands. It is not uncommon for you to see traditional brick style ranch homes that have been there for 50 years next to bright new constructed homes. There are as many opinions about the future plans for the island as there are people.
I have many friends who have chosen to make their home there and love the natural habitat which serves as home to scores of wildlife species, including deer, alligators, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, otters and wild hogs. The rivers and marshes abound with fish and shellfish, especially oysters, and dolphins. The number of bird species is in the hundreds. They include bald eagles, osprey, wild turkeys, owls, hawks, herons, egrets and ducks.
Two of my favorite Charleston area restaurants are on Johns Island….Fat Hen and Wild Olive. Both completely individual but unified…….just like the residents that call Johns Island their home.
