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Hilton Head Island History Overview
The history of Hilton Head is immersed in interesting contradictions. On the one side, 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 fairly 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 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 ruthless 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 referred to as the Indian Shell Ring.
The following recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island happens in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under arguement. In the 1520s, both France and Spain occupied 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 accredited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is acknowledged today. He was trying 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 high quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands discovered 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 Island supported the colonists during the Revolutionary War, leading to regular raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a time of relative peace and abundance in the history of Hilton Head. A distinct slave culture made a huge contribution to this good fortune, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were granted a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a specific chore to conclude 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 outline over the years, the Gullah people were and are an important part of the history of Hilton Head. They became free at the conclusion of the Civil War, during almost the whole 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 wonderful deal of respect for nature and developed recreational amenities first, such as bike paths, tennis courts, and golf courses. Housing and hotels came later, 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 lovely resort destination we recognize today.
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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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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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Village House: PORT ROYAL
Village House at Port Royal Village on Hilton Head, SC is gorgeously nestled in a heavily treed and maintained plantation environment which includes two 18 hold championship quality golf courses and multi-surface tennis courts. From your Village Hous... 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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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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Graham Lane Plantation: Graham Lane Plantation
Graham Lane Plantation is an exclusive Hilton Head Island community located between Old House Creek and Jarvis Creek. This peaceful, serene setting offers 24 generous-sized home sites with wooded, marsh, and creek views. Ownership includes rights to ... More On This Community
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Berkeley Hall: BERKELEY HALL
Berkeley Hall is a 960-acre, private golf club community on the Okatie River. This community is approximately seven miles west of Hilton Head. It has two Tom Fazio core golf courses, members enjoy "pure" golf, without the interruption of interior st... More On This Community
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Lighthouse I Villas: SEA PINES
Lighthouse I Villas is a private community located 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 biggest residential and resort ... More On This Community
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Folly Field: FOLLY FIELD
One of Hilton Head Island's older beach communities, this mid-island neighborhood is close to Folly Field beach and the Islanders’ Beach Park. The park allows car parking only for autos with an islanders’ beach parking permit and features a playgroun... More On This Community
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Stones Throw: FOLLY FIELD
Stones Throw Villas is a private community minutes from the beach located in the Folly Field neighborhood on Hilton Head Island Island Island, SC. One of Hilton Head Island Island's older beach communities, this mid-island neighborhood is close to F... More On This Community
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