In this interview, Rovena Owens relates the story of her family on Sullivan’s Island beginning with Vincent Peter, whose father was a slave trader. According to Owen’s family tradition, one of the captured African women became both Vincent’s slave and his wife. They arrived on Sullivan’s Island around 1812-13. Owens then traces her family history through succeeding generations, many of whom were free people of color, including Louis Peters, her second great-grandfather, her great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Pezant, and grandmother, Margaret Etta Pezant, who married Alan Perry Jones. Their daughter, Rovena Agnes Jones, married Walter Hazel, a member of the prominent Manigault family of Charleston. Walter was “kicked out” of his family for marrying a woman of color. Rovena Agnes Jones and Walter Hazel were then the parents of Rovena Owens. While discussing her roots on Sullivan’s Island, Owens discusses the topic of racially mixed families and their general acceptance on the island. Owens contrasted this sentiment with the attitudes of those who came from other parts of the country, such as the Fort Moultrie soldiers. Owens recalls island life as “paradise” where black and white children enjoyed playing, boating, and crabbing. Sundays were always popular times for the family on the island. Her grandmother had a pot of okra soup ready for whoever appeared. Some of Owens’ fondest memories were those Sundays with the ladies in the kitchen and the men out working on some kind of “project.” Owens also discusses the efforts made on the island to preserve its historic cemeteries. She also relates her family’s struggles with major storms such Hurricane Hugo. Through all of the storms, the Owens family homestead at Station 23 and Myrtle Avenue on the marsh side of the island, locally known as the “back beach”, remains intact. To Owens, Sullivan’s Island is “home,” where she’s comfortable.
A color photograph of a parade float sponsored by the Agricultural Society of South Carolina, Charleston County Department of Natural Resources, and the Charleston Agricultural and Industrial Fair (November 11-16, 1929). The three are 'Partners Promoting Progress.' The float participated in a parade celebrating the opening of the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge (also known as 'the old Cooper River Bridge'). Five girls dressed as field hands ride the float alongside a pyramid decorated with vegetables: Julia Frampton, Annette Remington, Rosa Belle Blank, Louise Brown, and Isabel Frampton (one may not be pictured). Special attention is paid to the iodine in vegetables and its health benefits.
Image #147 (4.5" x 2.75"): "3-11-29. West half of Town Creek Span complete, as seen from end of east cantilever arm."; Image #148 (2.75" x 4.5"): "3-11-29. Picking 150 HP Gas. Hoist, 31 tons, from traveler to dismantle traveler and lower engine to deck."; Image #149 (2.75" x 4.5"): "3-11-29. Erecting material tower on dock at Pier 13.";Three 4.5" x 2.75" B/W photos numbered 147, 148, 149
Image #474 (4.5" x 2.75"): "6-21-29. Erecting the last bottom chord section L19' L21', north truss, east half of suspended span."; Image #475 (2.75" x 4.5"): "6-21-29. Connecting the closing bottom chord at L21'."; Image #476 (2.75" x 4.5"): "6-21-29. Closing B.C. joint L21'. Note 6" [diameter] pin and slotted hole with 7" movement for adjustment, temperature, etc.";Three 4.5" x 2.75" B/W photos numbered 474, 475, 476
Image #471 (2.75" x 4.5"): "Progress. Ready to place the last 87 1/6" bottom chord section."; Image #472 (2.75" x 4.5"): "6-21-29. Ready for the last or closing bottom chord sections."; Image #473 (4.5" x 2.75"): "6-21-29. From below. West cantilever, below. East cantilever, above.";Three 4.5" x 2.75" B/W photos numbered 471, 472, 473
Image #320 (2.75" x 4.5"): "5-17-29. Setting timber forms for concrete deck, East Approach."; Image #321 (4.5" x 2.75"); "5-17-29. Bowed plates in expansion joint at 9E on the East Approach. Taken to illustrate shop error. report made to V.B. & Iron Co."; Image #322 (2.75" x 4.5"): "5-17-29. Progress in Cooper River.";Three 4.5" X 2.75" B/W photos numbered 320, 321, 322
Image #372 (2.75" x 4.5"): "5-29-29. Looking down from U10, over Pier 8. Elev. = 280 ft. above water. Note lighter with steel."; Image #373 (4.5" x 2.75"): "5-29-29. Top chord U8 U10 just entered into joint at U8 and ready to be pulled in and connected. Span 9.";Two 4.5" x 2.75" B/W photos numbered 372, 373
