View the Video version of this Episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2022/02/15/what-is-tabby/
If I asked you what Tabby was, would you instantly think of a cat? In the lowcountry it’s something completely different! Stay tuned and I’ll tell you all about it.
Ever wonder how people built homes, churches and other buildings before bricks and concrete? In the South Carolina Lowcountry, they used what they had, which included oyster shells and sand.
Tabby, also known as coastal concrete, is made from a mixture of lime, sand, water and oyster shells. This is why tabby contains the shell pieces that give it a unique appearance. While nobody is exactly sure how long tabby has been around, it's believed to have been used by the Spanish explorers in Florida in the 16th Century and the British in South Carolina and Georgia around 1700.
Some remnants of historic Tabby remain today, especially in Beaufort County, which is believed to have the largest number of tabby ruins in the US.
You can see Tabby in modern coastal homes. It’s an ideal surface solution for pool decks, patios, porches, and architectural elements.
Interested in seeing some for yourself? Let me know, I have several recommendations for historic sites to visit in the Lowcountry!
