HHI History
The history of Hilton Head Island is drenched in contradictions. On the one hand, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal tenantry by Native Americans. On the other side, the town of Hilton Head was incorporated to a certain extent recently, in 1983. Part of the history of Hilton Head Island involves sizeable 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 installment in the history of Hilton Head involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the harsh 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 referred to as the Indian Shell Ring.
The following recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head happens in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under dispute. In the 1520s, both France and Spain settled the region, with Spain eventually winning control of the area. England later took control 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 as it is acknowledged today. He was looking 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’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 supported the colonists during the Revolutionary War, leading to common raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a period of relative peace and prosperity in the history of Hilton Head Island. A distinct slave culture made a huge contribution to this good fortune, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were provided a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a specific assignment to finish each day, after which they were free to go home. It was up to them how to finish the assignment, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their chores. Along with the distinct Gullah language and traditions which took shape over the years, the Gullah people were and are an important part of the history of Hilton Head Island. 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 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 created 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 steadily into the modern era as the outstanding 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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Brighton Oaks: Brighton Oaks
Brighton Oaks is a very affordable family oriented neighborhood with small-town flavor, picket fences, and front porches. Brighton Oaks is just three blocks from Brighton Beach Boat Launch and "All Joy Beach" on the May River in Bluffton.... More On This Community
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Seagrass Landing: Seagrass Landing
Seagrass Landing is a five building thirteen unit townhouse community situated on Hilton Head Island. These two-story wood frame townhouses include a porch/deck at each level for entertaining and upgrades that consist of hardwood floors, raised-pane... More On This Community
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Harbour Town Club Villas: Sea Pines
Harbourtown Club Villas is located in the heart of Harbour Town in Sea Pines on Hilton Head, SC. 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 r... More On This Community
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Riverbend: Riverbend
Riverbend is situated amongst marshy grasses and offers river views to an adult community of 200 homes. Riverbend provides access to all the fantastic amenities of Sun City that begins with two 18-hole golf courses, a driving range, putting green, an... More On This Community
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Beach Arbor Villas: FOREST BEACH
Beach Arbor Villas is a private community situated in the South Forest Beach neighborhood on Hilton Head Island, SC. Much like its sister community to the north, South Forest Beach, it is just a short walk to the ocean and just minutes away from the ... More On This Community
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Cedar Woods: Cedar Woods
This secluded south-end Hilton Head Island neighborhood is situated just off Point Comfort Road and boasts homes of numerous architectural styles. Close proximity to the Cross Island Parkway allows easy access to the island's north end. Cedar Woods h... More On This Community
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Haig Point: Haig Point
Haig Point is a private 1,040-acre community on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. Commonly referred to just as Haig Point, it is legally known as The Haig Point Club and Community Association, Inc. Founded in 1986 by International Paper, it has been ... More On This Community
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Harbourwood Villas: SEA PINES
Harbourwood Villas is a private community 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 ... More On This Community
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