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Ft Watson
Swan LakeSantee State Park
Lake Marion (named for Col Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox" during the War of Independence) is one of South Carolina's better known fishing and boating areas. Also a good place to hike, especially along the top of the dam. Off SC 6, 3 miles northwest of Santee and I-95. Not far from I-26, which runs between Charleston and Columbia.
Of historical interest, along the shore of Lake Marion is Ft Watson. During the War of Independence, Col. Marion took this fort from the British, who had built it upon an old Indian mound. This gave him control over the local area.
During my visit, in April 1992, a rather odd thing happened. I heard the sound of an old prop-driven aircraft, looked across the lake, and spotted a World War II-era PBY Catalina flying boat. This aircraft was employed throughout the Pacific War for patrol, search-and-rescue, light transport, and sometimes even as a bomber.
The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on the lake. It was great. I didn't even know that any Catalinas were still in existence, let alone still flying.
