HUGER, S.C. – Hundreds of visitors gathered Saturday to tour Blessing Plantation, a newly acquired property in the Cooper River Historic District that will soon become Berkeley County’s next regional park.
The nearly 630-acre site, located at 101 Blessing Lane in Huger, was purchased earlier this month by Berkeley County and the Open Space Institute (OSI) for $15.2 million. The acquisition was made possible through a combination of public funding, conservation partnerships, and a bargain sale offered by the des Francs family, who owned the property for nearly four decades.
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“The Blessing Property’s iconic Southern landscape in the Cooper River Historical District makes it an ideal space for a Regional County Park,” said Nick Yoder, Berkeley County Greenbelt Program Director. “To preserve and protect this land from development and make it available for public access is a huge early success for the Greenbelt program and Berkeley County residents.”
The property includes one mile of waterfront along French Quarter Creek, a dock, four dwelling structures—including a mid-19th century home—and a historic African American church with adjoining cemetery. The county plans to develop the site into a passive park, with potential use of one of the historic structures as an event space.
Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said, “Many conservation-focused partners collaborated on this initiative, and Berkeley County was proud to be one of them. We are excited to gain ownership of this large acreage, showcasing our rich history and rural character. Berkeley County remains committed to investing in the County’s Greenbelt Program, preserving our beautiful spaces and expanding recreational opportunities for all.”
The project was funded through multiple sources: $7.4 million from the South Carolina Conservation Bank and OSI, $5.8 million from the Berkeley County Greenbelt Program, $2 million from the Lowcountry Land Trust, and $5.2 million in donated value from the des Francs family.
Nate Berry, Chief Land Protection Officer at OSI, called the acquisition, “a triumph for conservation, community, and history. By working together, we are saving an ecologically vital landscape and creating new ways for people to connect with nature and South Carolina’s heritage. The new county park will be a place where families gather, wildlife thrives, and future generations learn the tremendous value of conservation and environmental stewardship.”
The des Francs family, who purchased the property in 1987, expressed pride in its conservation legacy.
“Our family essentially has had the honor of being the stewards of this beautiful historic property for roughly forty years,” said Edouard des Francs.
He added that the county has agreed to name the main house after his late mother, Louise Carton Colas des Francs.
Saturday’s tour offered residents a first glimpse of the plantation’s historic and natural features, with an official welcome held at 10:30 a.m. The county will now begin soliciting public feedback and drafting a master plan for the park’s future.
Matt Williams, President and CEO of the Lowcountry Land Trust, said, “Blessing is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, landowners, and conservation organizations unite around a shared vision. We are proud to play a role in ensuring that this ecologically vital property will remain protected and accessible for all.”
The acquisition adds to decades of conservation work along the Cooper River corridor, where nearly 60,000 acres have been permanently protected. Officials say Blessing Plantation was one of the last remaining unprotected properties in the area, and its preservation marks a significant milestone for the region.
