A ghost of jazz music lingers here at Remleys Point. Can you feel it? The rhythm of a bygone era echoes in the gentle lapping of the Cooper River against the shore. This isn’t just a boat landing. Oh no. This is a place steeped in history a place where the past refuses to stay silent.
Remleys Point in the Scanlonville community of Mount Pleasant isn’t just another waterfront spot. It’s a cultural landmark a testament to resilience and a vibrant past. Founded in 1868 by Robert Scanlon a former slave who purchased land that once belonged to Remleys Plantation this area blossomed into a thriving community. Scanlon cleverly subdivided the 614 acres selling lots to fellow freedmen. Today many call it Remleys Point reflecting its earlier history. African Americans however call it Scanlonville honoring its founder and its legacy of black ownership.
The real magic however happened in 1930. The Cooper River Bridge Company built Charleston’s first black beach right here at Remleys Point. Riverside Beach it was called. It was more than just sand and water. It was a place of joy a place of community. A place where a pavilion stood tall a boardwalk stretched invitingly. Ball fields buzzed with activity children played at a nearby playground. Even a motel and nightclub flourished White’s Paradise its name. Legends like James Brown Duke Ellington Louis Armstrong and B.B. King graced the stage here. Their music resonated across the water. The laughter and dancing continued into the sunrise. This wasn’t just a beach it was a beacon of hope and entertainment for the black community.
Riverside Beach thrived until 1975. Developers unfortunately bought the land. The music faded. The laughter silenced. But the spirit of this place remains. The memory of its vibrant nightlife its contribution to Charleston’s rich cultural tapestry it lives on in the stories we tell.
Today Remleys Point is quieter. A residential community stands where White’s Paradise once shone. But even now as the sun sets casting a golden glow over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge the peaceful views conceal a legacy of joy resilience and community. A legacy that whispers on the breeze. A legacy that is forever etched in the heart of this special place. A legacy we remember and honor. Remleys Point a place where history still dances.