The Island's 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 appropriation 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 Island involves large slave plantations, but they were treated with respect here and in other parts of the region, leading to a distinctive culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the tough fall and winter seasons further north by coming to the island. Substantiation 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 following recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head comes about in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under dispute. In the 1520s, both France and Spain occupied 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 attributed with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is identified today. He was trying 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 high quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands noted 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 time of relative peace and wealth in the history of Hilton Head Island. A unique slave culture made a sizable contribution to this well-being, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were provided a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a certain task to finish each day, after which they were free 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 assignments. Along with the distinctive 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. They became free at the closing of the Civil War, during almost the entirety of which the island was occupied by Union Troops.
The modern history of Hilton Head Island set out 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, led a group of investors to create Sea Pines Plantation, the island’s first modern resort community. He showed a amazing deal of respect for nature and engineered 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 stunning resort destination we recognize today.
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Summerfield: Summerfield
The Villas of Summerfield is a private community located 1/4 mile from the Cross Island Expressway and a five-minute drive from the Sea Pines Circle on Hilton Head Island, SC. Low-density units are arranged around a central lagoon, and each unit fea... More On This Community
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Mill Creek at Cypress Ridge: Mill Creek at Cypress Ridge
Mill Creek is a Lowcountry community nestled in the coastal South Carolina area. Located between Charleston and Savannah, Mill Creek offers homes at competitive rates. Whether you enjoy exercising or relaxing, the multi-million dollar sports complex ... More On This Community
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Pinecrest: Pinecrest
Pinecrest is located in Bluffton, South Carolina and is a 400+ acre neighborhood enveloping the high school campus. Home sizes range from 1,062 to 2,824 square feet offering amenities that include a private golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, ... More On This Community
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Island West: Island West
A gated country club community, Island West is situated in Bluffton off Highway 278. Homeowners enjoy a preferred membership package at the 18 hole Fuzzy Zoeller golf course, as well as tennis, shuffleboard, and community swimming pool. A community c... More On This Community
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Pine Forest Village: Pine Forest Village
Pine Forest Village boasts the safety of streetlights throughout the community, a playground area, and picnic grounds with a pool complex. With 117 single family homes, this is well-situated to Hilton Head, Bluffton schools, and shopping.... More On This Community
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Cotton Hope: Cotton Hope
No Data Available on Cotton Hope Villas.... More On This Community
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Lighthouse Road Villas: SEA PINES
Lighthouse Road Villas is an exclusive small community boardering the 18th hole of Harbour Town Golf Course and Calibogue Sound in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, SC. In 1956, Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines into the first private plantation com... More On This Community
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Sea Pines: SEA PINES
Sea Pines Plantation was the first of the modern Hilton Head Island communities and served as the model for the other communities which were to follow. It is the largest of all the Hilton Head Island communities, and boasts two marinas, four miles o... 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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Windward Village: SHIPYARD
Windward Village Villas is a private community situated in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head Island, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. Shipyard of... More On This Community
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