Stony Landing Plantation

Originally referred to as "Stone Landing" and named for the high grade of marl found near the surface of the soil, the name Stone Landing was dropped sometime in the late 1700s and became known as Stony Landing. It is sometimes misspelled " Stoney" Landing, although the well-known family of the name never lived here or owned the land.

This landing on Biggin Creek, where the west branch of the Cooper River begins, was extremely important to the commerce of the early colony. Supplies for the interior regions were brought up the Cooper River by boat, unloaded at Stony Landing, and carried by Indian carriers or pack horsemen and later by wagons up the Cherokee Path. The Cherokee Path went through the Congaree, Cherokee, High Hills of the Santee and the Waxhaws, and then on westward to the Mississippi.

Rice planters in upper Berkeley County hauled their rice to Stony Landing to be loaded on flatboats or schooners and transported to Charleston. While waiting for a boat, rice planters stored their crop in a large warehouse.

In 1731, a Gabriel or George Laban operated a general store at the landing selling dry goods and liquor. His business was in operation for approximately 20 years.

The large volume of river boat traffic through the area ceased around 1800 with the construction of the Santee Canal and development of new roads.

During the time Dr. St. Julien Ravenel owned the land, he experimented with the use of marl to produce lime. Cement was found under the limestone layers and as a result, Dr. Ravenel and Gen. C. H. Stevens founded the Colleton Lime Works. Lime sold for 90 cents a barrel and was considered top quality.

During the Civil War, in extreme secrecy, the CSS David or Little David was constructed at the landing site claiming title as the first successful semi submersible torpedo boat attack in the history of naval warfare.

On June 12, 1882, The Stoney Landing Company was organized for the manufacture of stone brick and building lime.

There were 622 acres of land in 1919 when Sen. Edward James Dennis bought the property compared to the 2,319 acres of land in 1839 when John H. Dawson purchased it at a Master-in-equity sale.