THE LIFE & TIMES OF J.C. LONG
O
N DECEMBER 12, 1944, J.C. Long, a promi- nent Charleston attorney, pur- chased 1,300
acres of land on the Isle of Palms, and his vision of greatness would change the island forever. Long and his development com-
pany, Te Beach Company, not only introduced paved
BY THOMAS WARING
roads, new bridges and new homes to the Isle of Palms but also provided services such as garbage and trash collection, water and streetlights. Who was this man who had such
a profound influence on the Isle of Palms? His story is one of lifetime accomplishment and visionary dedi- cation to the area he called home. Born Sept. 19, 1903, in Pensacola,
Florida, John Charles Long moved with his family to Charleston at the age of 15. He was a star foot- ball player at the High School of Charleston in the 1920s, and during law school at the University of South Carolina, he played varsity football, baseball and basketball. His competi- tive edge, sharpened by training as an athlete, translated into success in the world of big-time land development.
“He was truly an adventurous en-
trepreneur,” said George E. Campsen Jr., a longtime friend.
After law school, Long was as- sociated with the firm of Logan and Grace and later founded the State Savings and Loan Association; the old Charleston Insurance Company, Ltd.; the Isle of Palms Water Company; the Worth Agency and insurance and real estate agencies; and Te Beach Company, formed primarily to purchase land on the Isle of Palms. As a real estate developer, Long became the largest single property owner in Charleston County and also developed land throughout South Carolina and in other states. As the Great Depression cast a pall over the country, he launched his career as a builder in 1931. His first project was Ashley Forest, one of the earliest residential developments west of the Ashley River. Tat same year, at the age of 28, Long was elected to the state Senate. He served one term, and, in 1948, was elected alderman at large from Ward 12. He resigned in 1951 and became a member of the Educational Finance Commission at the request of Gov. James F. Byrnes.
As an associate put it, “J.C. Long
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was into almost everything that he thought would benefit Charleston.” For example, Long was instrumen-
tal in preserving the Four Corners of Law at Broad and Meeting streets. When the Timrod Inn closed its doors in 1963 and the sale of the building to private investors jeop- ardized the possibility of expanding the courthouse at its traditional site, Long bought the property with his own money and offered to sell it to the county without any profit for himself. Te offer was accepted and the O.T. Wallace County Office Building was constructed. Long also was instrumental in the widening of U.S. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. As chairman of the 1954 Promotional Committee of the East Charleston Highway Commission, he helped obtain 90 percent of the land needed for the right-of-way at no cost to the state Highway Department. “It was in the field of real estate
where J.C. Long made his fortune,” said his great nephew, Leonard L. Long Jr. “Nevertheless, J.C. was quick to tell you that it was the prac- tice of law that was always dearest to his heart.”
A memorial tribute to Long, prepared by his great nephew for
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