10 cool and creative mailboxes on Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms

23 Feb 2010 by Sean in Charleston Arts

You see them from a mile away.  They’re like a quick preview of the quirky personality in the house behind.  There’s always that funky mailbox that turns into a neighborhood landmark.

With the spell of great weather last weekend, I went on my first real bike ride of the year on Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms.  Early into the ride, I saw a mailbox dressed up as a big blue crab, and I knew what my next blog post was going to be about.

Once I made the decision to find 10 quirky mailboxes, I was surprised how long it took me to find them!  The creative ones stick out like a sore thumb, but most people just have boring, boring mailboxes.

Not that there’s anything wrong with a simple mailbox.  Now those square-ish plastic ones are just lame.

Get ready for some creative mailboxes!

Blue crab mailbox

This blue crab on Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island has a brother sister on Carolina Blvd. on Isle of Palms.  There might be more out there.

Big fish mailbox

Not to be outdone, this fish mailbox is ready to swallow up bills, tax returns and junk mail.  Notice the cat flag.  This fish is serious!

Sullivan’s Island lighthouse mailbox

I was really impressed by this mailbox.  While we’re used to seeing funky mailboxes, this one on Sullivan’s Island is a little more straightforward. It’s just down the street from the real lighthouse it models (Charleston Light).

Driftwood mailbox

I thought this was a creative use of found objects.  I’m sure it impresses the green crew out there.  A sun-bleached, salt-preserved driftwood branch makes for a great post.

Pelican mailbox

I saw a couple of these pelican mailboxes on both Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms.  Tried and true, it’s one of the first examples of a creative mailbox I can remember seeing in my childhood.  The weathered wood does a good job mimicking a pelican’s color.

New idea on the pelican mailbox

This Ocean Blvd. mailbox on the Isle of Palms creates a real scene with some pier posts lashed together with a pelican sitting on top.  It’s a more toned-down and realistic take on the pelican theme.

Striped mailbox

While this Sullivan’s Island mailbox is fairly simple, it really stood out with some funky blue stripes.  Simple idea, easy execution but a nice result.  Adds some flavor without doing anything crazy.

Dolphin mailbox

This black mailbox is pretty subdued in color and style but makes up for it with a pair of dolphins swimming on by.  Not my favorite of the set, but who doesn’t like dolphins?

Square mailbox by the egg house on Sullivan’s Island

If you live in a house shaped like a storm trooper helmet and wait long enough, you might change your mind about curves and lust for right angles and squares.  Here’s to squares!

Fishing lure mailbox

Sadly, this homeowner never caught the big one.