Kinloch Plantation, formerly owned by the billionaire and CNN founder Ted Turner, has been purchased for $18 million, signifying the initial shift in ownership after a lengthy period.
Kinloch Plantation, situated close to Georgetown, South Carolina, is a renowned historic rice plantation estate and national historic district. It is famous for its Milldam Rice Mill and Rice Barn, and its historical ties to the productive rice plantations along the Santee River. Ted Turner acquired the property in 1982.
During the 1700s, Georgetown, South Carolina was the world’s leading rice producer.
These rice processing facilities in Georgetown County are notable examples of the limited remaining rice mills and barns in the area. Their historical importance is tied to their connection with Milldam, a prominent rice plantation along the Santee River.
The historic rice fields, showcasing canals, dikes (including a dike built by slaves), and trunks, are well-preserved agricultural aspects. The mill had its cypress shingles on the east and west sides swapped around 1970 for standing seam metal roofing.
An Invincible Rice Thresher machine, in need of repair, is still present within the mill. The barn sits to the north of the rice mill, approximately sixty feet away. Originally, the Milldam belonged to Thomas Horry, who was a significant figure in South Carolina’s history during the American Revolution and its aftermath. The Horry family retained ownership of all their plantations until the period following the Civil War.
Exploring Kinloch Plantation: A Historic Jewel of the Santee Delta
Kinloch Plantation, a 5,801-acre estate nestled in South Carolina’s famous Santee Delta, includes 14 rice plantations by the largest river delta on the East Coast. The property is surrounded by prestigious waterfowl hunting estates and vast areas of protected state and federal land. The unique mix of salt and freshwater, along with the land, makes Kinloch a paradise for sportsmen, attracting tens of thousands of migrating ducks each winter. In the spring, schools of shad swim upstream from the ocean in a timeless ritual.
Kinloch Plantation is rich in history, featuring a restored 18th-century rice mill and a genuine 15-room hunting lodge. The lodge, established in 1923, showcases murals painted by renowned waterfowl artist Richard Bishop and occupies the site of the original plantation house. A pathway of oak and magnolia trees leads to the historic location, enveloped by mossy live oaks, vibrant azaleas, and offering a view of a charming 25-acre lake. The property includes two guest cottages, a manager’s house, a foreman’s house, a cooking shed, a sporting clays course, offices, and various farm buildings.
Covering 2,400 acres of well-maintained waterfowl impoundments and 2,700 acres of rich marshlands and islands, along with 700 acres of green upland, Kinloch provides a unique outdoor recreational experience. Renowned for its outstanding duck hunting, the estate also supports thriving turkey and deer populations across a mix of fields and woodlands. It’s no surprise that the DuPont and Turner families have cherished and preserved this exceptional property along the North Santee River for a total of nearly a century.
Only 10 miles from the Georgetown airport, 28 miles from Pawleys Island beaches, and just 50 miles from downtown Charleston, Kinloch Plantation serves as the perfect escape for loved ones. It blends exceptional natural beauty and seclusion with convenient travel options by air or road. Brimming with cultural and ecological richness, the Santee Delta is enveloped by extensive protected lands and waters, presenting a unique East Coast sanctuary of preservation and peacefulness.
Ducks Unlimited has placed a conservation easement on this property, ensuring it will always be one single parcel.
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
