DECEMBER 1992 — By a 52-48 margin, voters in most of James Island's unincorporated area agree to form a new town. The city of Charleston and three residents file suit against the James Island Election Commission, which held the special election.
MARCH 1993 — Town voters pick Joan Sooy as their first mayor. The town has about 18,000 residents and is the state's 18th-largest municipality. Charleston County and the James Island Public Service District still provide most services for the area.
OCTOBER 1995 — A circuit judge rules that the town was incorporated illegally by crossing over marshes and waterways already claimed by the city, but he allows it to stay in business while the case is appealed.
NOV. 18, 1996 — The S.C. Supreme Court upholds the lower court ruling and orders the town dissolved.
APRIL 2000 — The General Assembly passes a bill that would let a new town of James Island cross over waterways and marshes already claimed by Charleston, addressing the legal problem with the first town. The movement to create a new town soon gathers momentum.
MAY 21, 2002 — Voters choose to form a new town by a more than 2-1 margin. The vote creates the second town of James Island.
JUNE 18, 2002 — Voters elect Mary Clark as the new town's first mayor.
JULY 24, 2002 — The city of Charleston and two James Island residents sue the town.
FEB. 7, 2003 — Circuit judge rules the law that allowed the second town to incorporate was unconstitutional special legislation that did not generally apply statewide.
JULY 26, 2004 — S.C. Supreme court upholds lower court ruling, ending the second town.
JANUARY 2005 — Clark clears out the second town's Town Hall, saying she will continue to work for a third town.
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