Hilton Head History Long History of a Young Town

Hilton Head History Long History of a Young Town

Hilton Head history is somewhat unusual in that it goes back very far, yet the modern Hilton Head Island was not incorporated as a town until 1983.  It dates back to seasonal occupation by the Woodland Indians in the fall and winter of each year until the area was colonized, continuing through the American Revolution and the Civil War; yet the island bore little resemblance to modern Hilton Head until the 1950s. 

Hilton Head history begins with the Native Americans who occupied the land during the fall and winter to escape the harsher climates further north.  Some evidence of their occupation is preserved today in the form of the Indian Shell Ring, located in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.  It is basically a mound consisting of animal bones, oyster shells, and clay and it is thousands of years old, dating back to 1450 B.C. 

Both Spain and France began to occupy the Port Royal Sound region in the 1520s, and after some fighting the area went to Spain.  However, England would later take over the region.  In some ways it could be said that Hilton Head history properly begins in 1663 when William Hilton accidentally discovered the island while trying to locate Port Royal’s entrance.  He was impressed with the water and air in the area, as well as the tall pine trees which implied that the soil was fertile.  The island was named Hilton Head in reference to the headlands his crew observed as they explored the area by sea.  English colonization of the island began in 1698, but the island’s European population still only consisted of 25 families by 1766. 

Hilton Head history went through a somewhat difficult time during the American Revolution, as islanders generally supported the Colonists.  This made them the subject of frequent British raids, which didn’t end immediately after the surrender of Cornwallis—a testament to the poor communications networks of the time.

 Hilton Head plantations thrived for many years after that, and a unique slave culture which came to be known as Gullah developed on the island and elsewhere in the region.  It is believed by many historians that the unity and pride of Gullah culture can be traced back to the task system of slave labor employed in the region.  Instead of groups of slaves being pushed to work, Gullah slaves were given a task to complete; upon completion of the task, they were free to go home.  This fostered greater independence and a sense of pride in their work not enjoyed by most slaves, and it is this—along with the distinctive Gullah language and traditions that developed—that helped Gullah culture to be strong enough that it survives to this day.  There can be no doubt that the Gullah people were essential to the development of Hilton Head and everywhere else that they labored. 

The Civil War was another trying time in Hilton Head history, with Union Troops quickly occupying the region after the Battle of Port Royal Sound in 1861.  The Gullah slaves were freed, and within a few years of the end of the Civil War they were the island’s only inhabitants—at least until 1890.

Modern Hilton Head history began in 1951 with the introduction of electricity to the island.  While the land had mostly been used for hunting and timber for many years, a group of investors led by Charles Fraser bought up the majority of the island’s land and began to develop it, beginning with Sea Pines plantation.  His system of development consisted of respecting the environment while providing amenities such as golf courses and bike paths first, allowing development to follow around those amenities.  This development model has been followed since, resulting in the popular resort destination known today.