Beaufort
A city of rich history, Southern hospitality and casual seaside
charm, the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands”---Beaufort,
was discovered by the Spanish in 1514 and chartered by the
British in 1711. Enjoying great prosperity in the eighteenth
century as indigo and rice plantations thrived, Sea Island
Cotton also brought tremendous wealth to the area prior to
the Civil War.
Today, tabby ruins, historic forts, elegant homes, majestic
plantations and Gullah culture and cuisine are reminders
of Beaufort’s 500-year history. Horse-drawn carriages
make their way slowly through the narrow streets of the
historic district, one of only three National Historic
Landmark Districts in South Carolina and shrimp boats
can often be seen gliding past Waterfront Park with the
day’s catch.
In addition to a variety of historical and natural attractions,
the area is home to three major military installations –
the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, the Marine
Corps Air Station and the Naval Hospital – which are
vital to the local economy, as well as national security.
Bluffton
Located just across the bridge from Hilton Head Island, Bluffton
is a quaint, charming town that offers a fascinating window
into South Carolina's past, present and future. Antebellum
homes, historic churches and unique shops line the moss-shaded
streets of Bluffton's downtown historic district, offering
a taste of Lowcountry living.
Bluffton, a town whose name refers to its location atop a
scenic bluff along the May River, also is home to a growing
number of residential communities, ranging from Sun City to
Belfair, each of which features lush, verdant landscapes filled
with home sites, golf courses, and other amenities. In recent
years, a number of award-winning restaurants and popular shopping
centers have developed along the Hwy. 278 corridor which connects
Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
With its old-fashioned charm and forward-thinking development,
Bluffton continues to attract visitors and residents in search
of a relaxed lifestyle and strong sense of community in the
heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
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