Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2018

51 www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com feature While numerous state laws technically exist, many of them are not really enforced and visionary public officials in a few counties, including Charleston, have voted to repeal the outdated ones. But not too long ago, at least some these laws were a part of everyday life. Some days of the week have drawn tougher laws than others. For instance, blue laws were established to prohibit certain behaviors on Sundays, because it was considered to be a holy day of rest and a time to attend church. Although many people no longer follow strict Sabbath rules, some blue laws are still enforced today. Have you tried to visit a liquor store on Sunday? Even considering the reason behind blue laws, it’s hard to imagine that some of them ever made it to the books in the first place. It’s probably not vigorously enforced, but, on Sundays, no musical instruments can be sold and no dance halls can be open. At one time, working wasn’t allowed, and businesses were closed on Sunday. Here’s one that will surely raise some eyebrows: Husbands could beat their wives, but only on Sunday and only on the steps of the courthouse. When it came to women, many antiquated laws were passed in the late 1800s and early 1900s aimed at protecting them from getting too much attention or establishing a less than sterling reputation. In Cleveland, Ohio, a city ordinance prohibited women from wearing patent leather shoes in public. It was thought that the shiny leather would bring undo attention to the ladies. In some parts of the country, looking good can be costly. Still on the books but not enforced, women in Florida can be fined for falling asleep under a dryer in a hair salon. And if you are a single, divorced or unwed woman looking for an adrenaline rush from parachuting, consider going somewhere other than Florida, especially if it’s Sunday. Towns and counties can vote to repeal some outdated laws and have been doing so over the last 20 years or more, but many strange laws remain on the books in South Carolina. In Lancaster, it’s illegal to dance in public. In Spartanburg, it’s against the law to eat watermelon in the Magnolia Street Cemetery. The origins of this law stem from the train station located nearby. People who were changing trains would buy watermelon from a vendor and go to the cemetery to sit on the headstones and eat, leaving the fruit rinds and seeds scattered around. To fix the BENEFITS OF ROWING: • STRONGER HEART AND LUNGS • INCREASED ENDURANCE • STRONGER MUSCLES • TONED BODY 1233 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Suite 800 843-972-8137 www.coastalrowingstudio.com indoor rowing & fitness studio ROWING CHANGES YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT 50% SAVINGS 3 CLASSES FOR $30 New clients only. Bring this ad to receive this special pricing. Offer expires 4/30/2018