Hilton Head History
The history of Hilton Head Island is full of contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal appropriation by Native Americans. On the other side, the town of Hilton Head Island was incorporated pretty recently, in 1983. Part of the history of Hilton Head Island involves large slave plantations, but they were treated with respect here and in other parts of the region, leading to a one of a kind culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the harsh fall and winter seasons further north by coming to the island. Evidence of this seasonal settlement remains preserved to this day in the Sea Pines community. Within the community’s forest preserve is a mount made up of oyster shells, clay, and animal bones which has been dated back to 1450 B.C. It is well-known as the Indian Shell Ring.
The second recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island presents itself in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under arguement. In the 1520s, both France and Spain occupied the region, with Spain eventually winning control of the area. England later took hold of the Port Royal Sound region, and Englishman William Hilton is accredited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is identified today. He was aiming to find Port Royal’s entrance when he came across the island, and he and his men were impressed with the air, the water, the excellence of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands discovered by his crew were responsible for the second part of Hilton Head Island’s name.
Although the island was colonized in 1698 by the English, by 1766 fairly few families lived on the island even after so much time had passed. The residents of Hilton Head supported the colonists during the Revolutionary War, leading to numerous raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a time of relative peace and abundance in the history of Hilton Head Island. A distinct slave culture made a great contribution to this abundance, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were provided a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a distinct project to finish each day, after which they were able to go home. It was up to them how to conclude the task, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their tasks. Along with the distinct Gullah language and traditions which took form over the years, the Gullah people were and are an important part of the history of Hilton Head. They became free at the finish of the Civil War, during almost the entirety of which the island was occupied by Union Troops.
The modern history of Hilton Head Island began in the second half of the twentieth century. Electricity was introduced in 1951 and Charles Fraser, in many ways the father of modern Hilton Head, brought a group of investors to create Sea Pines Plantation, the island’s first modern resort community. He showed a exceptional deal of respect for nature and built recreational amenities first, such as bike paths, tennis courts, and golf courses. Housing and hotels came afterwards, built around both nature and the amenities he created. This development model has been followed by every community created since, taking the history of Hilton Head firmly into the modern era as the beautiful resort destination we know well today.
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Baynard Park: Baynard Park
Baynard Park is an exclusive, gated community, located off Hwy 278, east of Hwy 170 and the Okatie River. Some of the amenities include swimming pools, a covered pavilion with open fireplace, fitness facility, tennis courts, basketball court and a pl... More On This Community
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Okatie: Okatie
Okatie SC, situated just north of Bluffton SC and is one of the fastest growing areas in the state of South Carolina. Heading north on Highway 170 towards Beaufort, Okatie has become the address of several new housing developments such as Riverbend a... More On This Community
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St Andrews Common: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
St Andrews Common Villas is a private community with a short walk to fabulous pool & pool pavilion situated in Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head, SC. This popular resort and residential community is situated mid-island on 1,800 well-preserved acres. Ins... More On This Community
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Fiddlers Cove: FOLLY FIELD
Fiddlers Cove Villas a private community, is located in the Folly Field neighborhood on Hilton Head, SC. One of Hilton Head's older beach communities, this mid-island neighborhood is close to Folly Field beach and the Islanders’ Beach Park. The park... More On This Community
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Ocean Course: Sea Pines
The Ocean Course area of Sea Pines is the location of many of the finest oceanfront homes on Hilton Head Island. The first golf course on Hilton Head Island, the Ocean Course is a scenic Oceanside experience and a true resort classic. The course was ... More On This Community
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Indigo Run: INDIGO RUN
Indigo Run is the newest and final private residential golf plantation established on Hilton Head Island. Located at the north end of the island, Indigo Run has access just off of Highway 278 and contains 1,712 acres of gorgeous wooded property. Cont... More On This Community
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Evian: SHIPYARD
Evian Villas is located in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. Shipyard offers residential living as well as a qu... More On This Community
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Beckenham: PORT ROYAL
Beckenham at Port Royal Village on Hilton Head, SC is gorgeously nestled in a heavily treed and maintained plantation environment which includes two 18 hole championship quality golf courses and multi-surface tennis courts. From your Beckman Villa pr... More On This Community
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Oak Ridge: DAUFUSKIE ISLAND
Oak Ridge Plantation consists of 39 oceanfront and 2nd row homesites, plus a number of the biggest estate size properties that are less than a 3 minute walk to the beach.
Oak Ridge Plantation on Daufuskie has the finest beach in the Southeast. Per... More On This Community
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Sailmaster: SHIPYARD
Sailmaster is a private townhome community located in Shipyard on Hilton Head, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. Shipyard offers residential living... More On This Community
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