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Hilton Head National Golf | Enlarge
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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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Marsh Side: Marsh Side
Residents at Marsh Side on Hilton Head enjoy active island living in a convenient north side location within walking distance to the public schools. Featuring 244 units, Marsh Side offers amenities, including two lighted tennis courts, swimming pool,... More On This Community
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Port Royal: PORT ROYAL
The Port Royal Community is home to the original landing site of William Hilton, the explorer the island is named after. This community is a private residential community famous for its peaceful, preserved natural environment and plentiful amenities... More On This Community
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Fairway Lane: SEA PINES
Fairway Lane Villas a private community is 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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River Club: INDIGO RUN
The River 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 d... More On This Community
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Oak Ridge: DAUFUSKIE ISLAND
Oak Ridge Plantation consists of 39 oceanfront and 2nd row homesites, plus a number of the biggest estate size properties that are less than a 3 minute walk to the beach.
Oak Ridge Plantation on Daufuskie has the finest beach in the Southeast. Per... 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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The Cypress: HILTON HEAD PLANTATION
The Cypress has won numerous awards and continues to set the standard for first-class senior living communities. The Cypress is situated in the waterfront community of Bay Club in Hilton Head Plantation on Hilton Head, SC. One of Hilton Head's large... More On This Community
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Water Oak Villas: PALMETTO DUNES/SHELTER COVE
Water Oak Villas, is a private community with masterful beach access in Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island, SC. This popular resort and residential community is located mid-island on 1,800 well-preserved acres. Inside the gates are 1012 homes and ... More On This Community
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Harbour Town: SEA PINES
Harbour Town is essentially the centerpiece of Hilton Head. The Harbour Town lighthouse and Harbour Town Marina offer beautiful scenery of Sea Pines, Harbour Town Golf Links, Tybee Island, and Daufuskie Island. While climbing the lighthouse stairs, y... More On This Community
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Summerfield: Summerfield
The Villas of Summerfield is a private community situated 1/4 mile from the Cross Island Expressway and a five-minute drive from the Sea Pines Circle on Hilton Head Island, SC. Low-density units are arranged around a central lagoon, and each unit bo... More On This Community
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