April 12 - Charleston Hospitality

The Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park

Charleston was named the number one tourist destination in the U.S. for the second year in a row, and also the top travel city on the planet, by Conde Naste Traveler. It has beautiful beaches, world-class cuisine, unique architecture and an endless amount of history, but it’s also the southern charm and wonderful hospitality that makes it a great place to visit.

The pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality since the days of the early American colonies, and you can find this symbol all over Charleston. The legend of the pineapple being a symbol of hospitality began with the sea captains of New England, who sailed among the Caribbean Islands and returned to the colonies bearing their cargo of fruits, spices and rum.

According to the legend, the captain would spear a pineapple on a fence post outside his home to let his friends know of his safe return from sea. The pineapple was an invitation for them to visit, share his food and drink, and listen to tales of his voyage. It was said that the hostess would remove the pineapple when they wanted the visitor to go home.

As the tradition grew, colonial innkeepers added the pineapple to their signs and advertisements, and bedposts carved in the shape of a pineapple were a common sight at inns across New England. It was this act that began the trend of stone pineapples being placed at the entrance of fine properties.

The legend has continued to this day, with hotels and restaurants displaying the pineapple to signal the presence of hospitality. The Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park in Charleston shows the world just how important hospitality is to this city.