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Haig Point, Daufuskie Is. | Enlarge
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 Front Row L to R: Tony Simonelli, Andy Mason, Ched Hultman Back Row: Tom Beavor , Tom Heffner, Mike Kuss
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The History of Hilton Head
The history of Hilton Head is full of contradictions. On the one side, the island’s history can be dated back to seasonal tenantry 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 involves sizeable 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 installment in the history of Hilton Head involved the Woodland Indians, who escaped the rigorous 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 referred to as the Indian Shell Ring.
The next 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 debate. In the 1520s, both France and Spain settled 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 accredited with the discovery of the island—thus beginning the history of Hilton Head as it is recognized today. He was aiming to find Port Royal’s entrance when he came across the island, and he and his men were very impressed with the air, the water, the excellence of the soil, and the tall pine trees. The headlands noticed 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 recurrent raids by the British. After the war, however, there was a period of relative peace and well-being in the history of Hilton Head. A distinct slave culture made a great contribution to this wealth, known as the Gullah culture. Gullah slaves were granted 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 conclude the project, leading to slaves who were more independent and who took pride in their tasks. Along with the unique 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 Island. 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 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 wonderful deal of respect for nature and created 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 exquisite resort destination we know today.
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Colonnade Club: SHIPYARD Colonnade Club Villas is situated in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. Shipyard offers residential living as wel... More On This Community
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Brighton Oaks: Brighton Oaks Brighton Oaks is a very affordable family oriented neighborhood with small-town flavor, picket fences, and front porches. Brighton Oaks is just three blocks from Brighton Beach Boat Launch and "All Joy Beach" on the May River in Bluffton.... More On This Community
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Harbour Master: SHIPYARD Harbour Master Villas is a private community located in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head, SC. Shipyard Plantation stretches across over 800 wooded and fairway-lined acres off Highway 278, between Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. Shipyard offers resid... More On This Community
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South Beach Club: SEA PINES South Beach Club Villas is a private residencs in the heart of South Beach 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 bigbigg... More On This Community
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Indigo Run: INDIGO RUN Indigo Run is the newest and final private residential golf plantation established on Hilton Head Island. Located at the north end of the island, Indigo Run has access just off of Highway 278 and contains 1,712 acres of gorgeous wooded property. Cont... More On This Community
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Coligny Villas: FOREST BEACH Coligny Villas is conveniently located within one minute of the beach, shopping, and restaurants in the North Forest Beach neighborhood on Hilton Head Island, SC. Another of the island's oldest beach communities, North Forest Beach is steps away from... More On This Community
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Wells East: Wells East Located just before the gates to Spanish Wells, this quaint, family-friendly neighborhood of 24 homes offers it's own pool, pool pavilion, cul-de-sac quiet, expansive open space, easy access to the Cross Island Parkway, and access to the Spanish Well... 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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Hilton Head Plantation: HILTON HEAD PLANTATION Hilton Head Plantation offers beaches, bike trails, four different golf courses, boating, tennis courts, and two different nature conservancy centers. Hilton Head Plantation is one of Hilton Head Island's largest and most age-diverse established com... More On This Community
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