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History Overview
The history of Hilton Head is full of subtle contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal habitation 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 significant slave plantations, but they were treated with respect here and in other parts of the region, leading to a strking culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest installment 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. 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 known as the Indian Shell Ring.
The subsequent recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island occurs in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under conflict. In the 1520s, both France and Spain settled 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 credited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is recognized today. He was looking 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 level of quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands noted 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 relatively 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 repeated raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a period of relative peace and prosperity in the history of Hilton Head. A unique slave culture made a great contribution to this fortune, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were given a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a particular project to fulfill each day, after which they were able 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 projects. Along with the distinctive 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 ending of the Civil War, during almost the entirety 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 outstanding deal of respect for nature and engineered 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 steadfastly into the modern era as the beautiful resort destination we experience today.
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Shipyard: SHIPYARD
Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. Shipyard offers residential living as well as a secluded location for vacationers renting property. Within Shipyard ar... More On This Community
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Bloody Point: Bloody Point
Bloody Point is a community at the southernmost point in South Carolina. From the mile long beach you can look to Savannah, Georgia to the South and Hilton Head Island just across the water to the North. Bloody Point, named after a battle in 1715 in ... More On This Community
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Colleton River: Colleton River
Colleton River is located approximately two miles from the bridge to Hilton Head Island. This high-end community offers two ranked golf courses and wonderful views of the Colleton River. Roads wind two-and-a-half miles through the South Carolina Natu... More On This Community
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Midpoint: Midpoint
With a strong focus on a natural setting within the community, Midpoint at New Riverside offers a variety of home styles. Homeowners will enjoy many community provided services including trash removal, lawn care, irrigation and community lighting. Ho... More On This Community
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South Forest Beach: Forest Beach
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 shopping found along south Forest Beach Road and Pope Avenue. Architecture is a mix of beach style structures ... 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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Hilton Head Plantation: HILTON HEAD PLANTATION
Hilton Head Plantation offers beaches, bike trails, four different golf courses, boating, tennis courts, and two different nature conservancy centers. Hilton Head Plantation is one of Hilton Head Island's largest and most age-diverse established com... More On This Community
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Beachfield: Oak Ridge
Beachfield on Daufuskie Island will have 121 home-sites, 61 of these have now been released on the market. Beachfield has frontage along the Atlantic Ocean and will have over 7 acres of lakes throughout the new neighborhood.
There is private access... More On This Community
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Rose Dhu: Rose Dhu
Rose Dhu Creek offers 118 large estate homesites from one to five acres in a private, gated community situated on more than 300 acres and boasts a full-service equestrian complex, over seven miles of leisure trails, two fully stocked fishing lagoons,... More On This Community
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