Old Clay Pits
by Charles Hite
Title
Old Clay Pits
Artist
Charles Hite
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photograph
Description
These clay pits are in the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve. Beginning in the early 1900s, clay was dug from pits for the Guignard Brickworks, with peak production in World War I. The clay pits now form several ponds, home to all kinds of wildlife. The outline of these clay trenches can be seen on Google Maps satellite view, across from the new sewer treatment plant. They extend from Old State Road, west to 12th Street Extension.
Hikers can walk an easy 2.5-mile trail loop in about 1.5 hours and view ponds where duckweed and lily pads flourish and teem with wildlife, including an occasional, elusive alligator. Seven bridges and one bench recently were added to the trail. The area is also home to a variety of snakes, turtles, bobcats, deer, hogs, hawks, water fowl and other birds. At one time, this 70-year-old hardwood forest was farmlands. A parking area is available on the right of Old State Road just before the pavement ends.
The White House designated the Guignard Brickworks Trail, which runs through part of the preserve, a Community Millennium Trail. This trail, as do dozens of Millennium Trails throughout the nation, reflects community history through natural settings. DNR plans to develop miles of walking and canoe trails through the property, as well as interpretive areas and benches along the way.
Uploaded
June 26th, 2014
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Viewed 3,441 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/24/2024 at 8:51 AM
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