A Brief History
The history of Hilton Head is chuck-full of contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal occupation 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 large slave plantations, but they were treated with respect here and in other parts of the region, leading to a unique culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest chapter 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. Substantiation of this seasonal occupation 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 following recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head occurs in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under arguement. In the 1520s, both France and Spain colonized the region, with Spain eventually winning control of the area. England later took command 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 well-known today. He was attempting to find Port Royal’s entrance when he came across the island, and he and his men were affected with the air, the water, the exceptional quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands observed by his crew were responsible for the second part of Hilton Head’s name.
Although the island was colonized in 1698 by the English, by 1766 rather 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 period of relative peace and fortune in the history of Hilton Head Island. A distinct slave culture made a huge contribution to this wealth, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were given a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a specific assignment to complete each day, after which they were free to go home. It was up to them how to fulfill the chore, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their projects. Along with the unique 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 closing of the Civil War, during almost the whole of which the island was occupied by Union Troops.
The modern history of Hilton Head started 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 developed 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 Island firmly into the modern era as the relaxing resort destination we experience today.
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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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Sandy Pointe: Sandy Pointe
Sandy Pointe is a private community of 200 homes situated in Bluffton, SC. Sandy Pointe is conveniently situated just off Buckwalter Parkway, set peacefully away from the highway noise yet offering easy access to schools and shopping. Residents of ... More On This Community
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Sea Lofts: SEA PINES
Sea Loft located on private Deer Island in Harbour Town is a quiet community only a short walk to the playground, pool, tennis courts, shops, sharter fishing, cafes and trolley car to the beach. n 1956, Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines into the fir... More On This Community
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Ocean Dunes Villas: FOREST BEACH
Ocean Dunes Villas is a private ocean side community located in South Forest Beach on Hilton Head Island, SC. Much like its sister community to the north, South Forest Beach is just a short walk to the ocean and just minutes away from the dining and ... More On This Community
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The Golf Club: INDIGO RUN
The Golf Club is a private, gated community found along the deep waterfront of Broad Creek. Such a location presents the owners of each of its 50 homesites with magnificent marsh and water views and enables them to build their own private backyard do... More On This Community
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Peregrine Pointe: Peregrine Pointe
Peregrine Point is a marshfront, gated development with 29 homesites, including five marshfront homes with panoramic views of Broad Creek and Shelter Cove. A community dock is available for residents.... More On This Community
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Briarwood Villas: SEA PINES
Briarwood Villas is situated in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, SC. In 1956, Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines into the first private plantation community on the island. Sea Pines is one of the largest residential and resort plantations on Hilton ... More On This Community
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May River: May River
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Hilton Head Club Villas: HILTON HEAD PLANTATION
Hilton Head Island Club Villas is a private community situated in Hilton Head Plantation on Hilton Head Island, SC. One of Hilton Head Island's largest and most age-diverse residential neighborhoods is Hilton Head Plantation. Spread over 4,000 acres... More On This Community
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Heritage Lakes: Heritage Lakes
Heritage Lakes is situated just two miles from the Hilton Head Island bridge and boasts over 80 acres of lakes and preserved wooded areas. This community consists of 235 unique homes on a developed area of 250 acres. Heritage Lakes prides itself on b... More On This Community
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