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The History of Hilton Head
The history of Hilton Head is full of contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal tenantry by Native Americans. On the other hand, the town of Hilton Head Island was incorporated to a certain extent recently, in 1983. Part of the history of Hilton Head 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 rigorous 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 next 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 debate. In the 1520s, both France and Spain settled 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 accredited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head as it is recognized today. He was aiming to find Port Royal’s entrance when he came across the island, and he and his men were very impressed with the air, the water, the excellence of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands noticed 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 recurrent raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a period of relative peace and well-being in the history of Hilton Head. A distinct slave culture made a great contribution to this wealth, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were granted 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 conclude the project, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their tasks. Along with the unique 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 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 Island, brought a group of investors to create Sea Pines Plantation, the island’s first modern resort community. He showed a wonderful 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 Island steadily into the modern era as the exquisite resort destination we know today.
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Springwood: FOREST BEACH
Springwood Villas is a private community situated in the South Forest Beach neighborhood on Hilton Head Island, SC Residence of Springwood Villas have access to Van Der Mer Tennis Center in Shipyard Plantation and the Players Club in South Forest Be... More On This Community
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Main Sail: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
Main Sail is situated in Shelter Cove Harbour on Hilton Head Island, SC. Shelter Cove Harbour is the largest deepwater marina on Hilton Head Island. It encloses the end of Broad Creek at the island's center across Highway 278 from the entrance to Pa... More On This Community
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The Lyons: PORT ROYAL
The Lyons Villas at Port Royal Village on Hilton Head Island, SC is gorgously snuggled in a heavily treed and maintained plantation environment which includes two 18 hold championship quality golf courses and multi-surface tennis courts. From your Ly... More On This Community
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Tennismaster: SHIPYARD
Tennismaster is a privte community and one of the closest communities to the beach located in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dune... More On This Community
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Westbury Park: Westbury Park
A classic neighborhood setting is the backdrop for Bluffton's front porch community, Westbury Park. The neo-traditional neighborhood offers homes with front porches, sidewalks lit by street lamps, stocked lakes, and shady squares. A park in the midd... More On This Community
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Residents Club: SEA PINES
Residents Club Villas is a private community close to Harbour Town and a fun Trolley ride to the beach 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... More On This Community
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Inverness Village: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
Inverness Village is an exclusive private community situated in Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island, SC. This popular resort and residential community is situated mid-island on 1,800 well-preserved acres. Inside the gates are 1012 homes and 1470 vi... More On This Community
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Bluffton Village: Bluffton Village
The Residences of Bluffton Village, situated on S.C. 46. The 4 and 5 bedroom townhouses boast detached carriage houses and a separate studio apartment.... More On This Community
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Port Royal: PORT ROYAL
The Port Royal Community is home to the original landing site of William Hilton, the explorer the island is named after. This community is a private residential community famous for its peaceful, preserved natural environment and plentiful amenities... More On This Community
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