Even with the best care and upkeep, every homeowner will have to deal with plumbing issues at some point. But finding a reliable plumbing company in Metro Charleston is more challenging than you might think. That's where our plumbers in cityname, state, come in. We at Delk Plumbing are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality craftsmanship, the most reliable service, cost-conscious pricing, and long-lasting solutions. Whether you need help fixing a minor issue like a clogged toilet or you're looking at major water heater repair, we're here to serve you with excellence.
Since 1978, residents and business owners have had a trustworthy source for resolving a wide array of plumbing issues with the friendly folks at Delk Plumbing. We're proud to have built a reputation for exceptional customer service and dependable workmanship for residential and commercial customers.
We go to great lengths to understand our customers' unique needs. You can rest assured that our friendly technicians will arrive on time, work diligently to resolve your issues, and always treat you with respect and kindness. Whether you need help with routine upkeep or want to upgrade your home with new appliances, our staff is by your side.
When you boil it down to the basics, our goal is to treat you the same way we'd like to be treated: with respect, honesty, and top-notch service from experienced plumbing professionals. Delk Plumbing offers a full range of plumbing solutions for your home or business, including:
At Delk Plumbing, we take your plumbing needs seriously. Our licensed, insured technicians strive to get the job done right the first time, no questions asked.
Did you know that the average South Carolina homeowner uses around 100 gallons of water every day? It's logical to think that something may go wrong with that amount of water in constant use. Considering many homeowners wait until the last minute to address their plumbing problems, that's especially true.
Unfortunately, it's common for homeowners to misdiagnose or misunderstand the plumbing issues they're facing. And if they can provide a solution, it's only a short-term fix. Even then, making one wrong move could make the problem worse. That's why having a trustworthy team of plumbers in cityname, state, to rely on is crucial.
When it comes to plumbing for your home, Delk Plumbing provides a long list of services, from drain cleaning and hydrojetting to sump pump repair and water heater services. Is your toilet so clogged that you need to hire a professional? Do you think you might have a leak? At Delk Plumbing, we're here to address all of your residential plumbing needs, small or large. Need a water softener service? We can help with that too!
Whether you have an annoying leak or a more serious plumbing emergency, our team of experts is here to serve you with expertise and efficiency. That way, you can go about your day without being disrupted.
Some of the most requested plumbing services we offer include:
"When is it time to call a plumber near me?"
In terms of commonly-asked questions, this is a big one. Most people would like to think they'd know when they have a plumbing issue at home. In reality, plumbing problems can be pretty tricky to diagnose without the help of a professional. Many serious plumbing problems aren't easy to spot without a sharp eye and experience.
If you're unsure whether you need to call a plumber, consider these common signs that it's time to call Delk Plumbing:
With enough time, every shower and sink becomes susceptible to slow drainage caused by soap scum, hair, and other debris. These problems are typically easy to fix with regular upkeep and cleaning. However, if all the pipes in your home are draining slowly, your main sewer line may be clogged. If your home has a clogged sewer line, it can quickly become a nightmare. Call Plumb Pro ASAP, as clogged or blocked sewer lines are emergency-level problems.
Any spots are ugly when they stand out on your ceilings or walls. But if you see brown spots, you could have a leak in your attic space or elsewhere in your home. Water leaks are terrible all around, both from a repair standpoint and a health standpoint. You wouldn't want your family breathing in mold spores, after all. If you see spots forming on your walls or ceilings, call Delk Plumbing ASAP. Waiting too long could mean more expensive repairs and renovations.
Few things are as frustrating as taking a shower with low water pressure. If the water coming out of your shower head is unreasonably low, it could be a sign that you have serious pipe clogs. Delk Plumbing can help shed light on your low water pressure problem and take care of the problem quickly and efficiently.
When was the last time you checked the plumbing under your sinks or in your basement? If it's been more than a few months, make it a point to do so soon. Inspecting your home's water pipes for signs of discoloration is a must-do. Call a reliable plumbing company like Delk Plumbing soon if you notice strange colors on your home's piping. You could save yourself costly repairs and a whole boatload of headaches.
Delk Plumbing Pro Tip: Look for white or green stains near the joints and seams of your copper water pipes. If you notice such spots, your pipes may be corroding from a leak. Cast-iron pipes and galvanized steel that have red patches are most likely full of rust and are likely to burst.
Apart from flushing, your toilet should be pretty quiet. However, if you hear burbling noises at random times during the day, you might have a plumbing problem. Noticeable gurgles from your toilet might mean that your vent stack is obstructed. You could also have a severe sewer line block. Either way, this type of issue is best handled by a trustworthy plumbing company like Delk Plumbing.
Your water heater is a central part of your everyday life. From bathing and cooking to cleaning and washing, you need hot water in your home. But when your water heater is on the fritz, it can cause a long list of problems that snowball out of control quickly.
Fortunately, our plumbers in Summerville, SC have the tools and knowledge to ensure your family doesn't go without hot water. Whether you need a quick water heater repair for a small problem or you need a full replacement unit, Delk Plumbing is here to help.
With the right maintenance and care, your home's hot water heater should last a long time. In general, a well-kempt water heater should last more than ten years. Like all things, however, nothing lasts forever. With time, your water heater will get to a point where it will need heavy maintenance or even replacement before your life is interrupted.
At Delk Plumbing, our team of experts can help repair or replace your home's water heater - whichever is best for your budget and your situation.
Is your family complaining that the hot water is out? Have you heard strange noises coming out of your water heater? If so, your water heater may be compromised. Here are a few of the most common signs you need to call Delk Plumbing for water heater repair services:
Your water heater is designed to give you hot water any time. That's why it has gallons of hot water inside. But if you notice your water going from hot to cold quickly without using the cold water, call Delk Plumbing. Your water heater is probably in need of repair.
When you get water out of the tap, it should be clear and colorless. If it's grey, brown, or rust-colored, chances are your water heater is to blame. Contaminated water is a big health issue, so be absolutely sure you don't drink it. Instead, call Delk Plumbing. Our team will be out to your house ASAP to help resolve the issue.
When you use your hot or cold water, you expect it to be hot or cold, not lukewarm or freezing. If you notice irregular water temperatures in your home, it should be a red flag. Call Delk Plumbing for a thorough, efficient water heater inspection.
While older water heaters will buzz occasionally, loud knocking and banging are not common for any water heater. If you hear unusual sounds from your water tank, it's time to call our team of plumbers in Summerville, SC. Our specialists will inspect your system and provide detailed repair and replacement options for you to consider.
The drains in your home have one function - to keep materials and debris from entering your plumbing system, so your pipes and sewer lines don't clog. Unfortunately, even the most pristine drains will develop some blockages with time. When that happens, it's vital to call drain cleaning experts like Delk Plumbing to solve your problem. Otherwise, a small clog could spiral into a costly scenario you never expected.
Delk Plumbing has dealt with every kind of drain issue you can think of, from clogged toilets and sinks to stopped-up laundry and shower drains. Unlike some plumbing companies in South Carolina, we have the proper tools and experience to solve your drain problem on time, and at a price you can afford. Whether you have a minor clog that needs a simple hand snake solution or a complex issue that necessitates hydrojetting, we've got your back.
Our plumbers in Summerville, SC, start with a meticulous inspection to diagnose your drainage issue. Once we know the extent of your problem, we'll explain the issue to you in easy-to-understand terms. We'll then explain the various ways we can remediate your drain clog, along with pricing and project ETA.
Our clients rely on us for a number of drain cleaning services, including:
As Summerville's top choice for plumbing services since 1978, we've learned a thing or two about drain cleaning over the years. To keep yourself educated and up-to-date, here are answers to some of the most common questions we're asked:
Q:How many times per year should I have my drains cleared?
A:That all depends on what's going down your drains and how often they're used. If you have a large family, leftover grease from food and hair from showers will cause clogs quickly. In this scenario, you should clear your drains often. If you live alone and don't use your kitchen or laundry drains often, you shouldn't have to clear them as frequently as a large family.
Q:More than one of my drains is moving slowly. What's happening?
A:When two or more drains are moving slowly, you may have a main sewer line problem. These clogs are often caused by wet wipes, tree roots, and kitchen grease.
Q:How do you clean clogged drains?
A:That depends on the type of drain that's clogged. You can clean sink drains with simple household items like vinegar and baking soda. Other drains, like bathtub drains, are best cleaned with a zip stick to remove hairballs. If you're unsure how to clean a clogged drain, it's always best to rely on professional plumbers like Delk Plumbing. Don't make the situation worse than it already is!
Did your brand new gas range just arrive, and you need help installing it? Is something wrong with your gas line, and you need it repaired? Delk Plumbing isn't only a full-service plumbing company - we also specialize in gas line installation and repair.
As a general rule, if it involves gas of any kind, it's best handled by licensed, trained, insured professionals. One minor slip-up can be catastrophic when it comes to gas line installation and repairs. To ensure your family stays safe, Delk Plumbing is ready to serve all of your gas line needs, so you know your home is protected without question.
From broilers and gas grills to ranges and gas stoves, our gas line experts are here to provide you with peace of mind.
Delk Plumbing Notice: Do not ever try to install gas lines on your own. Always contact a qualified professional who can follow the strict regulations South Carolina dictates.
Delk Plumbing offers several gas line services, including:
When you need a residential plumber you can trust, nobody is more qualified to serve you than Delk Plumbing. With quick response times, years of experience, and stellar customer service, we can handle any plumbing job, large or small.
Unlike other plumbing companies in Summerville, we aim to exceed expectations with transparent pricing that is easy on your wallet. No sketchy fine print. No awkward upsells. Only reasonable rates and the highest quality plumbing services in town.
Whether you need a simple leak inspection or a complicated sump pump replacement, we're here to help. Contact our office today so we can learn more about how we can serve you.
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SUMMERVILLE — A longtime Lowcountry manufacturer is reshuffling its global supply chain and moving more manufacturing work back to South Carolina under a $40 million plan that’s expected to double the production capacity and employment at its Summerville operations.Kion North America, which makes forklifts and other compact “industrial trucks” for moving heavy materials, marked the official kick-off of what it is calling “Project Home Turf” on Dec. 1.The 18-month expansion at Eastport Industr...
SUMMERVILLE — A longtime Lowcountry manufacturer is reshuffling its global supply chain and moving more manufacturing work back to South Carolina under a $40 million plan that’s expected to double the production capacity and employment at its Summerville operations.
Kion North America, which makes forklifts and other compact “industrial trucks” for moving heavy materials, marked the official kick-off of what it is calling “Project Home Turf” on Dec. 1.
The 18-month expansion at Eastport Industrial Complex is expected to create 450 jobs and add 410,000 square feet of space over the next few years.
The new production site is just up the road from Kion North America’s headquarters and main plant off U.S. Highway 78. It will be equipped with assembly lines, robotic welding systems and automated painting facilities to make vehicles that meet the specific requirements of customers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Gov. Henry McMaster joined company officials Thursday as they broke ground on a 120,000-square-foot warehouse to be built behind the new Eastport factory. The structure will store raw materials, such as steel that will come from West Virginia rather than suppliers in China or Germany, Kion North America CEO Jonathan Dawley said.
The new factory also will manufacture and install “core components” such as metal forklift masts that previously had been made overseas and imported to South Carolina.
“So, a lot of onshoring ... associated with this activity here,” Dawley said Thursday.
“This onshoring ... is exactly what we need to do,” McMaster added. “All we want to do is onshore anything that’s important — anything that we have to have we want to be sure to have it here.”
The S.C. Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved tax credits that Kion can claim if it meets certain employment thresholds. The state also is providing a $500,000 grant to offset site preparation and construction costs.
Last month, Dorchester County Council approved property tax breaks for the company.
Kion has been in an expansion mode in recent years by adding production space and a storage site for critical parts. It also set up a training center to support about 400 dealer technicians who repair and maintain its vehicles.
Dawley said the company is now the world’s second-largest maker of material-handling equipment. He estimated that over the past two years Kion’s business has jumped about 300 percent while its payroll has increased by 60 percent. The company’s vehicles are sold under the Linde and Baoli nameplates.
“You know the flywheel is really starting to move our organization,” Dawley said.
He attributed some of the recent sales growth to Kion’s decision to refine and strengthen its U.S. dealership network, which is now made up of 81 distributors across the country.
“Some of them were working well for us, and some of them weren’t, and we’ve had to work to develop them — either bring new ones in or transition existing ones out, or just work with them to develop their business so we could serve our customers in a new way and take care of our customers as we’re selling to them,” Dawley said.
The company is part of Kion Group, a German business that moved its North American manufacturing unit to Summerville in 1985.
A woman with intellectual disabilities in the care of the state is now recovering after she was hit by a car, late at night on a Summerville road.SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - A woman with intellectual disabilities in the care of the state is now recovering after she was hit by a car, late at night on a Summerville road.Now, her family is asking how that was even possible in the first place.It was sometime between 12:30 and 12:42 a.m. on Oct. 16 when a car hit Mary Williams who was walking along Miles Jamison Road.Wi...
A woman with intellectual disabilities in the care of the state is now recovering after she was hit by a car, late at night on a Summerville road.
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - A woman with intellectual disabilities in the care of the state is now recovering after she was hit by a car, late at night on a Summerville road.
Now, her family is asking how that was even possible in the first place.
It was sometime between 12:30 and 12:42 a.m. on Oct. 16 when a car hit Mary Williams who was walking along Miles Jamison Road.
Williams, a 42-year-old, has intellectual disabilities and a depressive disorder.
She is a longtime resident, or consumer as they’re referred to, of the Coastal Regional Center, one of five state-run facilities for adults with disabilities run by the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.
P.J. Perea, a spokesman for DDSN, said Williams was able to leave the facility around midnight. A Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office report states dispatch was not called until 12:24 a.m. regarding a consumer that was “walking along the roadway.”
By the time the authorities arrived on the scene, it was already too late.
She was found in bad shape, with fractures in her spine, hips, arms and face requiring multiple surgeries. She was on a ventilator, and her family says she almost didn’t make it.
Williams’ aunt and guardian Ruby Jones didn’t realize how bad it was until she saw her in the hospital.
“That was a difficult moment,” Jones said. “I was hurt, I was disappointed. Surprised would not have been a term that I would have used for what was going on. I was angry.”
The family is thanking God she’s alive and recovering, but she still remains bedridden, unable to do even the smallest task.
“We figured with her being in the Coastal Center. She would have been safe. She would have been protected and this situation should have never happened,” Williams’s cousin, Nicole Nick, said.
Williams was hit about a half-mile from the main entrance and several blocks down the road near Alwyn Boulevard. Ironically, that’s the entrance to the subdivision Nick lives in.
She thinks of her cousin and that night, every time she drives home.
“I was trying to understand, how something like that could have occurred,” Jones said.
When Live 5 Investigates asked to interview an administrator of the department, a spokesman declined. When asked why, they said it was “due to the nature of the incident [the department] felt it best to release a statement rather than conduct an interview.”
For Charleston lawyer and state representative Marvin Pendarvis, this story is a personal one. His big sister, Janae Pendarvis lives at the facility, too.
He tells us she’s been able to escape twice this year.
“Janae could as very well been the young lady that was hit by a car,” he said. “There was one incident where she had gotten so far down Miles Jamison road that a couple saw her, she was in a gown, and it was clear that she was lost... she needed to be driven back.”
An email to management from a former administrator obtained by Live 5 Investigates accuses staff of failing to intervene when another consumer has a “meltdown.”
She asks if staff can work to prevent her from leaving the building in the future, as the resident making it to the road is “becoming an everyday situation” and she worries about this consumer’s safety.
Dozens of pages obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request detail the ongoing problems with staff at the facility, though some were completely redacted, the department citing “privacy” as the reason.
One incident details an altercation between staff and a consumer in January 2022, where the consumer reportedly pushed, grabbed and pulled their hair and eventually put a staff member “in a chokehold.”
Management formally scolded one staff member who stood aggressively with “balled up fists” at the consumer, and another staff member left the campus during this fight for “personal business.”
Both were given a one-day suspension.
Another employee was suspended for one day for “failure to report an allegation of abuse” for an unknown incident.
“My mom has expressed these same concerns time and time and time again. We always talk about, they seem to be understaffed [and] the staff that they do have, they don’t seem to be equipped to handle the patients that are there,” Pendarvis said.
Over the Summer, SLED charged three former workers with “abuse of a vulnerable adult.”
Jones says her niece was the victim in that case, having been informed by SLED via phone.
“Of course, she always said things but because of her illness, sometimes they were kind of overlooked because... it’s not always accurate,” Jones said.
The agency reports surveillance video showed them hitting and kicking her, one watching it all happen. Williams reportedly received “minor injuries” at the time.
“I had no idea,” Jones said. “I really feel kind of hurt that she was not better protected.”
For these families, their hands are tied. Jones is unable to provide the full-time care that her niece requires access to. It’s a similar story for Pendarvis.
“The reality is there aren’t many facilities that are able to handle people with special needs and disabilities to the degree that my sister has them,” Pendarvis said.
Live 5 Investigates has previously reported concerns from staff members about understaffing, long shifts and little pay.
A year-long state audit of the department has been completed, at state Senator Katrina Shealy’s request.
She points out this is step one to finding a solution, for the hundreds of vulnerable people and their families who rely on the state.
“You can’t fix something if you don’t know what the problems are,” Sen. Shealy said.
It’s not scheduled to be published until early next year.
“The goal is to correct the problems, streamline the problems and make the agency more accountable,” she added.
As for Williams, her aunt now visits nearly every day, sometimes three times a day, to help bathe and feed her at the nursing home she’s recovering at.
Though where she will now call home is uncertain, her family is sure of one thing, she won’t be returning to the state’s care.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the confidence that she will be safe at Coastal,” Jones said.
If you have a story or a tip you’d like for us to investigate, you can call our tip line 843-402-5678 or email us at tips@live5news.com.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster's schedules for the week of December 5 will include the following:Monday, December 5 at 11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend the SC Port Harbor Deepening Celebration event, Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park, Cooper River Room, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.Monday, December 5 at 2:30 PM: Gov. McMaster will join Adjutant General Van McCarty and the South Carolina National Guard&rsqu...
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster's schedules for the week of December 5 will include the following:
Monday, December 5 at 11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend the SC Port Harbor Deepening Celebration event, Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park, Cooper River Room, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Monday, December 5 at 2:30 PM: Gov. McMaster will join Adjutant General Van McCarty and the South Carolina National Guard’s Survivor Outreach Services in recognizing “A Tree for the Fallen” for South Carolina’s fallen service members and their families, Governor’s Office, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.
Monday, December 5 at 5:30 PM: Gov. McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster will host the annual Governor's Mansion Christmas Open House, Governor's Mansion, 800 Richland Street, Columbia, S.C. Note: The governor will hold media availability at 5:20 PM. Members of the media wishing to participate in the media avail should arrive at the Richland Street mall gate by 5:15 PM to go through security.
Tuesday, December 6 at 10:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend an Economic Development Announcement, Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, 201 South Dargan Street, Florence, S.C.
Tuesday, December 6 at 2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster will attend South Carolina OSHA's 50th Anniversary event, Denny Auditorium, State Fire Academy, 141 Monticello Trail, Columbia, S.C.
Wednesday, December 7 at 10:00 AM: Gov. McMaster and Lt. Gov. Evette will attend the Nephron Nitrile Grand Opening Event, Nephron Nitrile, 4777 12th Street Extension, West Columbia, S.C.
Wednesday, December 7 at 2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster will host a Memorandum of Understanding Signing with the United Kingdom, State House, first floor, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.
Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 AM: Lt. Gov. Evette will participate in the Greater Travelers Rest Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Parade, Wells Fargo Bank 5 Hawkins Road, Travelers Rest, S.C.
Gov. Henry McMaster’s Weekly Schedule: November 28, 2022
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gov. Henry McMaster’s schedule for the week of November 28, 2022, included:
Monday, November 28
10:40 AM: Agency call.
10:42 AM: Agency call.
11:01 AM: Agency call.
11:21 AM: Agency call.
Tuesday, November 29
Gov. McMaster was in the Office of the Governor for office hours, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.
11:00 AM: Agency meeting.
11:45 AM: Gov. McMaster presented the Order of the Palmetto to Steve Hamm, Governor’s Office, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.
1:30 PM: Policy meeting.
2:00 PM: Policy meeting.
3:00 PM: Policy meeting.
Wednesday, November 30
5:28 PM: Call with a member of the South Carolina Senate.
Thursday, December 1
10:11 AM: Call with a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster attended the groundbreaking expansion event at KION North America, 2550 West 5th North Street, Summerville, S.C.
Friday, December 2
6:15 PM: Gov. McMaster attended the SPINX Company’s 50th anniversary celebration event and presented the Order of the Palmetto to Stewart Spinks, Fluor Field, 945 S. Main Street, Greenville, S.C.
Like so many who came to Summerville, Saul Alexander sought refuge.A Jewish immigrant, Alexander fled his home country of Ukraine and came to the United States to escape anti-Semitic persecution. Local historian Ed West said he arrived in New York on Ellis Island shortly after 1900.According to the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina’s (JHSSC) website, he remained in New York for roughly four years before coming to Summerville.“I’m not sure how he got word of Summerville being a place on the map...
Like so many who came to Summerville, Saul Alexander sought refuge.
A Jewish immigrant, Alexander fled his home country of Ukraine and came to the United States to escape anti-Semitic persecution. Local historian Ed West said he arrived in New York on Ellis Island shortly after 1900.
According to the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina’s (JHSSC) website, he remained in New York for roughly four years before coming to Summerville.
“I’m not sure how he got word of Summerville being a place on the map, but for whatever reason, he bought a ticket to Summerville and came down here,” West explained.
That decision would significantly impact Alexander’s life and the Summerville community for years to come.
A Quiet Life
West said Saul Alexander got his start in Summerville as an apprentice tailor. Eventually, he saved enough money to open a store along Hutchinson Square. Saul Alexander Dry Goods was located at 102 South Main Street, where the building still stands today.
West said Alexander also worked in real estate, providing loans to homebuyers.
“He helped people gain loans for real estate during the Depression,” West said. “And he would help fund loans and things like that.”
Alexander owned a home on Central Avenue in Summerville. It featured a garden house that he used as an escape from summer’s heat and a place to entertain friends.
The Summerville Dorchester Museum has restored the gazebo-like structure. It now stands as a memorial for Saul Alexander and others like him who, throughout history, have found sanctuary in Summerville.
An Unexpected Gift
Saul Alexander lived a quiet life in Summerville. So, it was a surprise to many that after he passed in 1952, a foundation was created to benefit the community.
Alexander left his home to a long-time employee, Sarah Chinners, and a foundation was established according to instructions in his will. The JHSSC notes on its website that Alexander’s estate was in excess of $750,000 and more than $500,000 was designated for the foundation.
“What was also in his will was the establishment of a foundation which became known as the Saul Alexander Foundation,” West explained. “In Summerville, he funded playgrounds and various church projects and his money helps with the museum [Summerville-Dorchester Museum] here,” West said.
Today, according to Edie Blakeslee, Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Leadership at the Coastal Community Foundation, the funds continue to support Summerville and the Lowcountry.
Since the 1980s, the Coastal Community Foundation has managed the Saul Alexander Foundation.
“The Saul Alexander Foundation was originally a private foundation,” Blakeslee said. “Mr. Alexander’s closest friends and advisors were the trustees.”
She noted that Alexander’s will provides specific directions for all philanthropic activity. For example, he required the trustees to be a mix of Jews and Gentiles. And precise percentages are allotted for projects in Summerville, the Jewish community, and other institutions.
More than 40 organizations benefit from the Saul Alexander Foundation, which has grown to a current value of $2.8 million, Blakeslee said.
The Saul Alexander Foundation trustees continue to meet annually.
“What the trustees have always been really good about is honoring Mr. Alexander’s intent,” Blakeslee said.
The Saul Alexander Foundation is designed to benefit the community in perpetuity. Saul Alexander’s legacy continues to impact others more than a century after he arrived in Summerville.
While Summerville celebrates its 175th birthday, the organization most active in safeguarding the city’s history is marking its own 50th anniversary and five decades of watering Flower Town’s roots.The Summerville Preservation Society (SPS) chartered in March 1972, and while its membership numbers have expanded from that original core group to more than 500, its mission remains the same. By protecting and showcasing the landmark facets of what the town has been, the SPS hopes to imbue a pride of place that lingers on in wh...
While Summerville celebrates its 175th birthday, the organization most active in safeguarding the city’s history is marking its own 50th anniversary and five decades of watering Flower Town’s roots.
The Summerville Preservation Society (SPS) chartered in March 1972, and while its membership numbers have expanded from that original core group to more than 500, its mission remains the same. By protecting and showcasing the landmark facets of what the town has been, the SPS hopes to imbue a pride of place that lingers on in what it becomes.
“Everything we undertake, we do for the benefit of the citizens. We do this so that the people who come after us can appreciate Summerville,” said Heyward Hutson, SPS President since 1988. Hutson’s great-great grandfather, Reverend Robert Ilderton Limehouse, built Summerville’s first Town Hall in 1860 and later served as Mayor of Summerville. The “new” Town Hall moved to Hutchinson Square in 1892.
With his encyclopedic memory for names and events, Hutson stood on the original heart pine planks of Old Town Hall and described the village that Summerville once was, as if he had just strolled its 1800s marketplace.
“The planters came to Summerville to spend the hot months, from the last frost in spring to the first frost in fall. They came in wagons, with their cows and their chickens, all along the Grand Way, which is now West Carolina Avenue,” said Hutson, a retired Army Colonel who was elected to the South Carolina Legislature four years after he became SPS President. He was born in Summerville in 1936.
“At that time, the first Town Hall was the center of the village, and the market was just out front there.”
The SPS kicked off its long, private non-profit career by rescuing an old Magnolia Street home from “rack and ruin,” and later thwarted several attempts to demolish the old Dorchester County Hospital — now repurposed in its original state as the Dorchester County Human Services Building.
Its next coup was the 1990 purchase of Old Town Hall, one of many structures devastated by Hurricane Hugo and the thousands of trees it toppled throughout the Lowcountry. Taking the venerable building “as-is,” the SPS replaced the roof on one of the wings and repaired it according to historic standards and has maintained it as its seat of operations ever since.
Crediting the real estate agent and the lawyer who gave their services for free to make that transaction happen, Hutson also noted that the relatively small membership of the SPS’ 1990 roster managed to pay off the remaining $85,000 loan in eight years — despite the 10 percent interest rate.
Aside from the restoration of a few key historic buildings, the SPS also began the historic marker project — the signposts at landmark sites that give a brief description of each.
Involving a protracted process of site research, obtaining approval from the state Department of Archives and History, financing each piece and finally, purchasing and installing each marker, the SPS project has claimed historic designation for several well-known Summerville spots: Guerin’s Pharmacy, the Pine Forest Inn, McKissick Summerville High School, The Old White Meeting House, Stallsville, Old Town Hall, Bacon’s Bridge and Tea Farm Road.
Other SPS projects include its fund-raisers, which feature local writers and artists. The SPS painting series features the work of nine area artists, all of which memorialize historic sites throughout Summerville and Dorchester County. The book, “Beth’s Pineland Village,” is still selling copies 35 years later. With half its proceeds going to the SPS and half to the historic Timrod Library, it is a compilation of Summerville Scene newspaper articles written by Beth McIntosh, the first president of the SPS and a former member of the Summerville City Council.
The SPS hosts regular “Heritage Series” panel discussions that are open to the public, and expanded the historic district by adding additional designations, such as St. Stephens Chapel.
Finally, the society also established an awards program to honor the lengths that owners must go through in order to restore and maintain their historic properties.
Just a quick Internet glance indicates that repair costs for a historic Charleston home run anywhere from $250,000 to $1.3 million — and that’s just for repairs, not yearly upkeep. On the other hand, having vibrant historic districts in a city also increases property values and homeowner returns on investments.
Of course, not all of Summerville is historic, and keeping a town healthy is a balancing act. The bustle of modern commerce is necessary for a thriving economy, ensuring jobs for residents and enough quality goods and services to attract and keep the money at home. But unchecked, that same hustle and bustle can trample the character of a place into the dust.
“We are not opposed to the development of boutique hotels,” said Hutson.
“We are opposed to high-concentration developments that tear down existing historic homes when there are vacant lots available nearby. It’s unbridled development that we’re opposed to. But while some Summerville old-timers aren’t happy about the congestion, we need to realize that the new people who have come here bring new talent and, sometimes, as much or more respect for the history of Summerville and Dorchester County than even some of the natives have.”