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Hilton Head History
The history of Hilton Head Island is full of contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal appropriation by Native Americans. On the other side, the town of Hilton Head Island 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 one of a kind culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the harsh fall and winter seasons further north by coming to the island. Evidence 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 well-known as the Indian Shell Ring.
The second recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island presents itself 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 identified today. He was aiming 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 excellence 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 supported the colonists during the Revolutionary War, leading to numerous raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a time of relative peace and abundance in the history of Hilton Head Island. A distinct slave culture made a great contribution to this abundance, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were provided a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a distinct project to finish each day, after which they were able to go home. It was up to them how to conclude the task, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their tasks. Along with the distinct Gullah language and traditions which took form over the years, the Gullah people were and are an important part of the history of Hilton Head. They became free at the finish 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, 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 built 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 firmly into the modern era as the beautiful resort destination we know well today.
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Crown Reef: PORT ROYAL
Crown Reef Villas at Port Royal Village on Hilton Head, SC is gorgeously nestled in a heavily treed and maintained plantation environment which includes two 18 hole championship quality golf courses and multi-surface tennis courts. From your Crown Re... More On This Community
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Palmetto Bay Marina: Palmetto Bay Marina
Palmetto Bay Marina Villas is a private community close to watersports and restaurants in the Palmetto Bay Marina neighborhood on Hilton Head Island, SC.... More On This Community
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Breakers: FOREST BEACH
Breakers Villas is in the North Forest Beach area of Hilton Head Island, SC. Another of the island's oldest beach communities, North Forest Beach is steps away from the Atlantic Ocean and the shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities of Coli... More On This Community
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Ocean Club: FOREST BEACH
Ocean Club Villas is a private community with pool and only steps to beach situated in South Forest Beach on Hilton Head, SC. Much like its sister community to the north, South Forest Beach is just a short walk to the ocean and just minutes away fro... More On This Community
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Palmetto Bay Club: Palmetto Bay Club
Palmetto Bay Club Villas is a private community close to watersports and restaurants in the Palmetto Bay Marina neighborhood on Hilton Head, SC.... More On This Community
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Harbourside I: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
Harbourside I Villas is situated in Shelter Cove Harbour on Hilton Head Island, SC. Shelter Cove Harbour is the largest deepwater marina on Hilton Head Island. It encloses the end of Broad Creek at the island's center across Highway 278 from the ent... 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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Barrington Court: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
Barrington Court Villas is a private community close to the ocean located in Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head, SC. This popular resort and residential community is located mid-island on 1,800 well-preserved acres. Inside the gates are 1012 homes, 1470 v... More On This Community
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Schooner Court: SEA PINES
Schooner Court Villas is an exclusive Harbour Town townhouse community on the Calibogue Sound located in Sea Pines, SC. In 1956, Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines into the first private plantation community on the island. Sea Pines is one of the bi... More On This Community
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