5 Things You May Not Know About Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, on the coast of South Carolina, is one of the more fascinating areas on the Atlantic Coast. The island has a rich history dating back to early Native Americans that lived in the area, early European explorers and settlers that came to the area, and like many places in the American south it also has strong ties to the American Civil War.

While it is interesting to learn about those times, that is not what Hilton Head is famous for during these days. Today, Hilton Head is famous as one of the more exclusive and trendy vacation areas on the South Carolina coast. With resort hotels, charter fishing boats, natural wildlife areas and resources, vacation attractions, and of course a great many beaches to both play on and also access the Atlantic Ocean from, the Hilton Head Island is one of the best vacation destinations in the area. Some of the history and other information about this area is known to many, here though are five things you may not know about Hilton Head.

1. Hilton Head is Fancy

The island has a reputation as an exclusive area that caters to those who enjoy the finer things in life. Just over seventy percent of Hilton Head Island is located within the many gated communities that dominate the area.

2. Famous People Live in Hilton Head

Because of its remoteness and exclusivity, there have been a number of famous people that have chosen to live on the island for at least part of the year. Famous people who either currently or at one time resided on Hilton Head Island include Arthur Blank, Patricia Cornwell, Bobby Cremins, John Jakes, Michael Jordan, and John Mellencamp.

3. It’s Big, For an Island

While geographically it isn’t famous or taught about in most schools, Hilton Head Island is the largest sea island located between New Jersey and Florida on America’s Atlantic Coast.

4. It’s Historic

The Battle of Port Royal took place during the American Civil War and was one of the biggest military actions in the area. The Confederate fort was situated on Hilton Head Island and the navy fleet that was assembled by the Union forces was the largest naval force ever assembled in North America.

5. It’s Named After a Famous Captain

While many locations in the New World were named after a number of people related to an exploration or expedition including wives, kings and queens, admirals, royalty, famous heroes, shipmates and more, Hilton Head Island was actually named by Captain William Hilton after himself.

With the ocean, the beaches, wonderful shopping and eating opportunities, and more, Hilton Head is an extremely popular place to head to for a long weekend, a vacation, and for some even an entire summer. While the island has a reputation for catering to the area’s wealthy, there are still plenty of attractions both natural and man-made that are available to everyone who chooses to visit there. The island itself has a fascinating history and is a joy to explore. Few people visit Hilton Head and go away disappointed, it truly is a great place to vacation.