Hilton Head Island Trivia: 5 Unique Facts
How much do you know about Hilton Head Island—beyond the beautiful beaches, the serene sunrises, and the expected activities? Do you know the more obscure stories? The behind-the-scenes stuff that makes it a really unique and special place? Check out our five fun facts about Hilton Head Island. Who knows, you may even win a round of trivia with this insider info.
The Sea Pines Shell Ring: Exploring 4,800 Years of Hilton Head Island History
Deep inside the Sea Pines Forest Preserve sits one of Hilton Head Island’s oldest human-made landmarks. The Sea Pines Shell Ring began taking shape about 4,800 years ago, when Native communities gathered shellfish and other foods along this part of the South Carolina coast. Over hundreds of years, the shells and other materials they left behind formed a ring nearly 200 feet across.
You can still visit the site today, although much of it is now covered by soil. You won’t arrive to find a dramatic monument rising out of the trees. In fact, it only rises a few feet above the surrounding ground. Beneath the surface, however, is evidence of people returning to this part of Hilton Head Island thousands of years before the Island became the place we know today.
Daufuskie Island: Paradise Beyond
A short ferry ride away from Hilton Head Island, nestled along the South Carolina coast, is what can only be described as Paradise Beyond.
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina is steeped in a simpler time. Once considered the Martha’s Vineyard of the South, ancient oaks and Spanish moss decorate the Island’s dirt roads (there are very few paved roads on the island) and white sand beaches dot the coast. The Island’s rich history is well-preserved and celebrated as a rich outpost of the Gullah people. There’s a reason Daufuskie was recently named one of The Most Underrated Islands in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler, and you should discover it for yourself. Read on to inspire your trip back in time.
Exploring Sea Pines’ Hauntingly Awesome Stoney-Baynard Ruins
The Spanish moss hangs like tattered clothes from the lanky old oak limbs. The tabby remnants of the once stately plantation home jut out of the ground like giant jagged shark teeth. And an eeriness encapsulates the six-acre property, as Stoney-Baynard’s rich history and abundant wildlife whisper secrets all around you.
