Southern plantations are an endless source of fascination. That's no surprise since these palatial homes are rich in history, representing a pivotal time in U.S. history that truly is "gone with the wind." With the Civil War literally exploding all around, many of these homes were occupied either by Confederate or Union troops. There are still more than 30 plantations open to the public in South Carolina today. Some have been restored, others undergoing that process. If only the walls could talk, the stories we might hear That's what we hope to bring into this book on The Plantations of South Carolina. We'll take the tours and talk to the guides and dig even further if there is more to discover. We hope that travelers will be enlightened before they travel to South Carolina, their visits will thus be enriched, and that residents will equally love exploring this deep history of their state.