Archaeologists have found evidence of Woodland Indians
living on the Island all the way back to 10,000 BC.
Spanish explorers first discovered the area in 1525.
In 1562 the French came to the area and built Port
Royall close to the present town of Port Royal.
In 1663, William Hilton, an English sea captain, sailing
from Barbados discovered the beautiful, untamed island
and naming the Island Hilton's Headland claimed it for
the British.
In 1670, braving the danger from the Spaniards and
Native Indians, English settlers founded Charlestowne,
South Carolina's first permanent settlement, where the
Ashley and Cooper Rivers come together to flow into
the Atlantic ocean.
The first European settler on Hilton Head Island was
Col. John Barnwell. Col. Barnwell was granted a 1,000
acres on the Island by the Lord Proprietors.
During the American Revolution, Island settlers were
on the side of the Colonists and endured frequent raids
by the British.
After the war, the Hilton Head prospered due to a rich
Island soil and the introduction of Sea Island Long
Staple Cotton, rice and indigo.
During the Civil War, Island settlers were forced to
abandon their homes and crops when a small fleet of
Yankee ships invaded the area and set up a blockade
of Savannah.
After the Civil War, small communities consisting of
former slaves began on the island helping to preserve
the rich "Gullah” culture that can still
be found today.
Electricity and telephone service reached the Island
in the 1950’s and 1960’s respectively. Bridges
were built to replace the ferryboats used to access
the Island.
Since 1970 the area has experienced a period of rapid
growth with the population rising from 2,500 to 33,682
in 2000.
Today, vacationers come to enjoy the beautiful Island
scenery and rich history as well as abundant attractions
and recreational opportunities including over 20 championship
golf courses and 100's of tennis courts. |
