History Overview
The history of Hilton Head is full of subtle contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal habitation by Native Americans. On the other hand, the town of Hilton Head was incorporated pretty recently, in 1983. Part of the history of Hilton Head Island involves significant slave plantations, but they were treated with respect here and in other parts of the region, leading to a strking culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest installment in the history of Hilton Head involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the severe fall and winter seasons further north by coming to the island. Proof 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 known as the Indian Shell Ring.
The subsequent recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island occurs in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under conflict. In the 1520s, both France and Spain settled 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 credited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is recognized today. He was looking to find Port Royal’s entrance when he came across the island, and he and his men were touched with the air, the water, the level of quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands noted 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 relatively few families lived on the island even after so much time had passed. The residents of Hilton Head Island supported the colonists during the Revolutionary War, leading to repeated raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a period of relative peace and prosperity in the history of Hilton Head. A unique slave culture made a great contribution to this fortune, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were given a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a particular project to fulfill each day, after which they were able to go home. It was up to them how to complete the chore, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their projects. Along with the distinctive Gullah language and traditions which took outline over the years, the Gullah people were and are an important part of the history of Hilton Head Island. They became free at the ending 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 Island, brought a group of investors to create Sea Pines Plantation, the island’s first modern resort community. He showed a outstanding deal of respect for nature and engineered recreational amenities first, such as bike paths, tennis courts, and golf courses. Housing and hotels came subsequently, 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 steadfastly into the modern era as the beautiful resort destination we experience today.
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Bluffton/Off Plantation: Bluffton/Off Plantation
The Town of Bluffton is situated in Beaufort County, the southernmost coastal county in South Carolina. It is situated on a high bluff overlooking the May River, a pristine waterway that has strongly contributed to the Town's history and continued su... More On This Community
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Bluff Villas: SEA PINES
Bluff Villas is located in Sea Pines. In 1956, Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines into the first private plantation community on the island. Sea Pines is one of the biggest residential and resort plantations on Hilton Head Island Island spanning 5,2... More On This Community
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Grande Oaks: Grande Oaks
Grande Oaks is situated around three ponds and large oak trees. This community is close to old town, Bluffton and the Buckwalter Parkway.... More On This Community
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Bermuda Pointe: Bermuda Pointe
Bermuda Point can be found on Hilton Head Island’s north end of the island off of Squire Pope Road. This quaint collection of 58 homes echoes the mix of residential architecture of Charleston and the West Indies. The 2 and 3 story brightly color stuc... More On This Community
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Lawton Station: Lawton Station
Lawton Station, drenched in history and beauty, is situated in the Bluffton, South Carolina area. This community is steeped in Lowcountry living and presents itself as a secure neighborhood lifestyle. Lawton Station offers a few unique and varied com... More On This Community
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Hamilton at Shipyard: SHIPYARD
Hamilton Villas is a private community 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 residentia... 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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Rose Hill: ROSE HILL
About seven miles from the bridge to Hilton Head, Rose Hill Plantation is located off both sides of Highway 278 in Bluffton. Originally inhabited by the Yemassee Indian tribe, the Plantation itself was owned by Sir John Colleton, and in the 19th cent... More On This Community
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Tradewinds: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
Tradewinds is a private secure community located in Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island Island, South Carolina. This community offering access to Palmetto Dunes beaches, trolley services, bicycle paths, tennis, golf and more. These lovely townhomes f... More On This Community
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