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Historic S.C. island up
for sale on eBay:
Morris Island was site of key Civil War battle
By JOEY HOLLEMAN, Staff Writer
An important piece of U.S. history with an incredible view
of Charleston harbor is for sale on eBay, right beside Beanie
Babies and potato chips shaped like the Virgin Mary.
The asking price for Cummings Point, known to most locals
as Morris Island and to history buffs as the site of the Battle
of Battery Wagner: $12.5 million.
The Civil War Preservation Trust listed Morris Island among
its 10 most endangered battle sites last year as Charleston
developer Harry Huffman tried to change zoning regulations
and build 20 homes on the 125 acres of high ground. Adding
to the island's cachet is that the key Civil War battle there,
one of the few in which an African-American brigade played
a crucial role, was immortalized in the 1989 movie "Glory."
"It's sad to see such a priceless piece of American
history put up for auction like some unwanted holiday gift,"
said Jim Campi, spokesman for the Civil War Preservation Trust.
"If the developer really wants to sell Morris Island,
the preservation community is ready to buy. But to do so,
he needs to stop the gimmicks and get down to real bargaining
based on fair market value - not a $12.5 million pipe dream."
Actually, the Morris Island offering is not a straight auction,
like most on eBay. Some kid with a computer in Houston won't
be bidding on it. The ad is more like a For Sale sign on the
Internet.
Huffman, who owns the development rights to the island, said
Wednesday he has tired of fighting zoning battles. So while
he negotiates with several conservation groups who want to
buy the island, he put it up for sale on eBay just to see
what would happen.
Of course, legitimate offers from the online customers could
make the land more expensive for those conservation groups.
Huffman said several potential buyers have communicated with
him and want to come see the island.
Blake Hallman, who fought against Huffman in the zoning battles,
said he knows of negotiations between Huffman and a preservation
group he refused to identify. "The issue is price,"
Hallman said.
The island has shifted with the tides through the years,
and some of the battle site has washed away. Home to several
structures in the early 1900s, the island now is uninhabited
by humans. The Morris Island Lighthouse, once on the island,
stands several hundred yards out in the Atlantic Ocean. The
lighthouse is owned by the state.
While the eBay ad doesn't make the zoning restrictions on
the island clear, Huffman said he is telling legitimate buyers
there are severe restrictions on building on the island. Also,
the only access to the island is by boat.
The island covers 840 acres, but only about 125 acres are
above tidal fluctuations.
According to the Charleston County land management plan adopted
in 1999, the island is in a zoning classification that allows
one dwelling every 25 acres.
Conservation groups contend other restrictions would prevent
building more than two homes. Huffman is marketing the island
now as suitable for one spectacular home, not as a development
project.
The current owner, Yaschik Development, bought the island
for $3 million during foreclosure proceedings in the 1980s.
Huffman believes the $12.5 million asking price is fair.
"That's about $100,000 per acre. I figured I couldn't
go to Costa Rica and buy beachfront property for that."
Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366 or jholleman@thestate.com.
From
The State (Columbia, S.C.)
January 27, 2005
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