A Brief History
The history of Hilton Head is chuck-full of contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal occupation 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 large slave plantations, but they were treated with respect here and in other parts of the region, leading to a unique culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest chapter 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. 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 well-known as the Indian Shell Ring.
The following recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head occurs in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under arguement. In the 1520s, both France and Spain colonized 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 credited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is well-known today. He was attempting to find Port Royal’s entrance when he came across the island, and he and his men were affected with the air, the water, the exceptional quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands observed 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 rather 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 numerous raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a period of relative peace and fortune in the history of Hilton Head Island. A distinct slave culture made a huge contribution to this wealth, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were given 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 fulfill the chore, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their projects. Along with the unique 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 closing of the Civil War, during almost the whole of which the island was occupied by Union Troops.
The modern history of Hilton Head started 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 developed 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 Island firmly into the modern era as the relaxing resort destination we experience today.
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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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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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Springwood: FOREST BEACH
Springwood Villas is a private community located 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 Bea... 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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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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Mariners: Palmetto Dunes/Shelter Cove
The Mariners section of Palmetto Dunes lies long the ocean, north of the Mariott Resort. Palmetto Dunes has more than 5 miles of bike paths. It is also has three world class golf courses. Each golf course has water, sand, and marsh to battle with an... More On This Community
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The Colony: BLUFFTON/OFF PLANTATION
The Colony at The Crescent has the only Arnold Palmer designed golf course in the Hilton Head area. An outstanding example of the gorgeous Lowcountry environment, The Colony at The Crescent is stretched along the marshes of the Colleton River and off... More On This Community
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Lighthouse II: SEA PINES
Lighthouse II Villas Lighthouse II Villas is a private community located 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 resident... 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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