Historical Perspective

The recorded history of Beaufort County dates back more than 500 years when Spanish Captain Pedro de Salaza landed in 1514. This was only the second such landing by European explorers in the New World, as the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon had occurred only some twelve months earlier. Over the next fifty years, the Spanish continued to explore the area and attempted to establish settlements, notably at Parris Island (which we have recognized as the home of the US Marines for over a century). In the 1560’s, French Huguenots arrived in an expedition led by Jean Ribaut and named the region Port Royal. They did succeed in establishing a settlement called Charlesfort on Parris Island. However, in 1566, the Spanish, under the leadership of Pedro Menendez de Aviles, returned to build another settlement on Parris Island, called Santa Elena. The Lowcountry proved attractive to England’s Lords Proprietors, and they gained control of the Port Royal area by the end of the 17th century. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina formally incorporated Beaufort Town in 1710, making it the second oldest town in the state.

The area was caught up in the Revolutionary war, with loyalists on both sides nearby. Tories were active on Daufuskie Island just a mile south of Hilton Head Island, which was sympathetic to the colonies. Although occupied by the British until the end of the war, Beaufort was not completely destroyed, and went on to see plantation owners build summer homes along the Beaufort River.

Beaufort also played a major role in the Civil War, and was the site of the first meeting to discuss seceding from the Union. It was held at the Milton Maxey House, and is now known as the Secession House. Early in the war, the US Navy sailed into Port Royal Sound and quickly decimated the unfinished Confederate forts Beauregard and Walker, thereby occupying the Sea Islands until well beyond the war’s end. The grand antebellum homes, in the image of Tara, the palatial plantation home featured in Gone with the Wind, were abandoned by owners and slaves alike, and served as hospitals and quarters for the military. Thus, most were saved from destruction and today exemplify the grand, pillared Greek Revival mansions and stately Federal style estates from that era.

Recovery progressed very slowly until after World War II, when tourism began to flourish and the area saw the development of retirement and resort communities. Many scholars and artists now call Beaufort home, and help enrich the thriving cultural and social scene.