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The Island's History
The history of Hilton Head Island is drenched in contradictions. On the one hand, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal appropriation by Native Americans. On the other hand, the town of Hilton Head Island was incorporated to a certain extent 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 distinctive culture which is still celebrated today.
The earliest chapter in the history of Hilton Head Island involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the tough fall and winter seasons further north by coming to the island. Substantiation 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 following recorded chapter in the history of Hilton Head comes about in the era of colonization, when the island and the region in general came under dispute. In the 1520s, both France and Spain occupied the region, with Spain eventually winning control of the area. England later took control of the Port Royal Sound region, and Englishman William Hilton is attributed with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head Island as it is identified today. He was trying 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 high quality of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands noted 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 relatively 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 common raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a time of relative peace and wealth in the history of Hilton Head Island. A unique slave culture made a sizable contribution to this well-being, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were provided a great deal more responsibility than many of their counterparts elsewhere, being given a certain task to finish each day, after which they were free 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 assignments. Along with the distinctive Gullah language and traditions which took shape over the years, the Gullah people were and are an important part of the history of Hilton Head. They became free at the closing of the Civil War, during almost the entirety of which the island was occupied by Union Troops.
The modern history of Hilton Head Island set out 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, led a group of investors to create Sea Pines Plantation, the island’s first modern resort community. He showed a amazing deal of respect for nature and engineered 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 Island steadily into the modern era as the stunning resort destination we recognize today.
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Surf Court: FOREST BEACH
Surf Court Villas is a private community in the South Forest Beach neighborhood 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 from the dining and shopping f... More On This Community
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Moss Creek: MOSS CREEK
This private country club known as Moss Creek Plantation has more than 1,000 homes and 70 villas with marsh views, deepwater opportunities, and boasts two championship Tom Fazio golf courses. Located just minutes from the Hilton Head Bridge, Moss Cre... More On This Community
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Lawton Villas: SEA PINES
Lawton Villas is a private beach 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... More On This Community
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Ocean Course Villas: SEA PINES
Ocean Course Villas is a private community within walking distance to beach 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... 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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Oyster Reef: Hilton Head Plantation
Oyster Reef’s 18-hole, championship golf course is spread across 190 acres of some of the most breathtaking real estate in the Carolinas. It’s a supremely secluded world of salt-marsh marshlands, lagoons, lush green fairways, immaculately-manicured g... More On This Community
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Devonshire: PORT ROYAL
Devonshire at Port Royal Village on Hilton Head Island, SC is beautifully snuggled in a heavily treed and maintained plantation environment which includes two 18 hole championship quality golf courses and multi-surface tennis courts. From your Devons... 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 located in the New Riverside meighborhood of Bluffton, SC. The Haven will feature homes with wooded or lagoon... More On This Community
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The Greens: SHIPYARD
The Greens Villas is a private community with a masterful location within walking distance to the beach and the new Shipyard Beach Club located in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairwa... More On This Community
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The Legends on The Green: The Legends on The Green
The Legends is a luxury condominium community on Union Cemetery Road at the north end of Hilton Head Island Island, SC. Residents of The Legends have tranquil views of lagoons, the Planter's Row golf course in neighboring Port Royal Plantation, or on... More On This Community
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