Because Mt. Pleasant is known for its master planned, new construction communities, it can be difficult for home buyers to find older and historic homes in this Charleston suburb. Buyers looking for historic homes tend to love Old Village – not because it’s one of only a few historic neighborhoods in Mt. Pleasant, but because it has a charm and location that are hard to find elsewhere in Charleston.

Old Village is possibly the oldest community in Mt. Pleasant, with homes dating back to the early 1800s. While the rest of Mt. Pleasant has been developed on a large scale both commercially and residentially, Old Village has managed to preserve its heritage and charm over the years.

Founded in 1680, Old Village is (arguably) one of the oldest communities in all of Charleston. Little is recorded in its history until 1755, when the community saw the construction of the Hibben House. The house sat on a 67 acre plantation called Mount Pleasant, which would later give the town its name.

In the twentieth century, Old Village created a small downtown section which became the main shopping district in Mt. Pleasant. Today, you can still fill your prescriptions at the Pitt Street Pharmacy or get a drink from their soda fountain. The Old Village Post House has been turned into a restaurant by one of the most popular chains in Charleston, Maverick Southern Kitchens (which also owns High Cotton and Slightly North of Broad).

The park at the end of Pitt Street is popular among locals for walking, fishing, and relaxing. And, like Old Village itself, it has a history as well. From 1898 to 1927, a trolley connected Sullivan’s Island to Mt. Pleasant via the Pitt Street Bridge. Since the park was developed on top of this bridge, it offers incredible panoramic views of the marsh and creeks.

Real estate in the Old Village is often viewed on a sliding scale. Estates overlooking the Charleston Harbor can fetch prices up to $8 million. Real estate prices gradually decrease as the homes get further from the water, with the least expensive prices around $200K. In this most affordable section of the community, the homes usually need a good bit of renovating, which is why the prices are so low. (And some of these are more tear-downs than fixer uppers.)

Whether you’re wanting to buy a historic home, find a new restaurant to try, or simply enjoy the warm weather, Old Village in Mt. Pleasant is worth taking a look!