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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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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Tanglewood Villas: FOREST BEACH
Tanglewood Villas is a private community across the street from the beach and just a short walk to the beach, shopping and restaurants in South Forest Beach on Hilton Head Island Island, SC. Much like its sister community to the north, South Forest ... More On This Community
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Beach Arbor Villas: FOREST BEACH
Beach Arbor Villas is a private community situated in the South Forest Beach neighborhood on Hilton Head Island, SC. Much like its sister community to the north, South Forest Beach, it is just a short walk to the ocean and just minutes away from the ... More On This Community
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Muirfield: SEA PINES
Muirfield is a private community situated 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 largest residential and resort plantation... More On This Community
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Belfair: Belfair
Belfair is located on Highway 278, five miles from the bridge to Hilton Head Island. Belfair is a private, 1,100-acre community on the scenic marshes of the Colleton River. The magnificent "Avenue of Oaks" leads you into Belfair where you find two 1... More On This Community
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The Haven: The Haven
The Haven At New Riverside is an active adult community designed for senior lifestyles. This magnificent, picturesque private community is situated in the New Riverside meighborhood of Bluffton, SC. The Haven will boast homes with wooded or lagoon ... More On This Community
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Berwick Green: INDIGO RUN
Berwick Green Villas is inside of Indigo Run. Indigo Run is the youngest and final private residential golf community developed on Hilton Head Island Island Island. Its 1,712 acres are situated at the island's north end, directly across Highway 278 ... More On This Community
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Forest Beach: Forest Beach
The Forest Beach area of Hilton Head is a two and a half mile stretch of beach reaching from the Sea Pines Resort ocean gate to the Crown Plaza Resort in Shipyard Plantation. Forest Beach is divided into two sections; South Forest Beach is the one mi... More On This Community
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