The first written history of Hilton Head began by Spanish explorers in 1562, which designated the area from Key West to the St. Lawrence River, Florida. Before that time the region was inhabited by indigenous peoples, and evidence of their culture are still visible in the Shell Ring historical sites around the island.

In 1562, Captain Jean Ribaut explored the region and French Huguenots built a fort near present-day Port Royal. The area was officially named Carolina in 1663, when King Charles II of England in the territory of the ownership group, as the Lord granted eight owners known. The name comes from the Hilton Head Hilton Captain William English, who appointed in 1663. A few years later, in 1698, began the English colonies in the area known as the Netherlands. In 1717 Colonel John Barnwell was the first permanent settlers on the island after thousands of hectares of owner Lord.

During the Revolutionary War Hilton Head Iceland was occupied by settlers, while the nearby island was occupied Dafuskie the Conservatives or British sympathizers. During the conflict, British soldiers burned captured plantations on the island and slaves, they sell to the Caribbean. After the war, recovered the island and became a thriving agricultural hub, exporting rice, indigo and cotton.

At the time of the Civil War, in South Carolina was one of the wealthiest states, and many millionaires lived on Hilton Head Iceland. South Carolina was the first State of the Union in 1860, broke away and in October 1861, 77 ships sailed Union of Virginia to Port Royal Iceland was in the late war, the headquarters of the South Atlantic Squadron blocking, a transfer point for prisoners of war and wounded. The first African Union troops from the island, former slaves who took advantage after the war, the money to buy soldiers, country and settle in Hilton Head deserves. The largest naval battle of the Civil War Battle of Port Royal, was carried out on the shores of the islands.

Today the island is a popular tourist destination, including pieces Hilton Heads rich history of modern museums, monuments and historical sites. While on the island vacation, you should see some of these places for you to discover more about the unique history of the region

Hilton Head Iceland