Area Information
The recorded history of the area now known as Beaufort County goes back to 1521 (or earlier) with the Spanish explorations of Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon. In 1562, Huguenots established the short-lived French settlement of Charlesfort on present-day Parris Island.
Beaufort was occupied by British troops from 1779 to the end of the Revolution. During the Civil War, Federal troops also occupied Beaufort. In November of 1861, Union naval and army detachments subdued Confederate forts off Port Royal Island, established a strong blockade base on Hilton Head Island, and occupied the town of Beaufort during the war and years afterward.
As a Federal base of operation in the South, the town escaped destruction during General Sherman's "March to the Sea." The era of the military bases began on October 28, 1915, when the Marine barracks on Parris Island commenced full recruit training operations.
The Naval Hospital facility was completed in 1949, and in 1960 the Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort was officially commissioned. These installations are a major part of the economy to the present time.
Numerous public and private schools dot the landscape of Beaufort. Beaufort County's Public School System is fully accredited and ranks highly in the state.
Higher education needs are fulfilled by the University of South Carolina at Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry, both located in town.
Nearby Parris Island Museum is in the War Memorial Building, which stands as a monument to the Marines of the past as well as a source of inspiration for present-day Marines. The museum portrays the history of Parris Island and the Port Royal area with an emphasis on Marine Corps recruit training and the history of the Marine Corps in the 20th century.
Named as one of the "Best Places to Live in Rural America" by The Progressive Farmer magazine, Beaufort has much to offer. Beaufort is the home of a huge number of military forts from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and, Spanish-American War as well as its own city museum and 7 different historic churches, even one which dates back to the
pre-Revolutionary era.
Hunting Island State Park offers beaches, a historic lighthouse and facilities for camping, swimming, fishing and picnicking. Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge features bird watching and nature observation as well as hiking and bicycling trails.
Hilton Head Island is a well-known resort community with hotels, beaches,
tennis, golf, boating, fishing and other recreation. Seventeen marinas and numerous public boat ramps are also located in Beaufort County plus five golf courses that have been named to "The Fab 50 Golf Communities," as designated by Retirement Lifestyles in the Carolinas magazine.
Hunting, fishing, water sports, hiking, golf, camping and horseback riding provide year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation in the region.
Our area has been recognized by the following:
* Best Places {to live in Rural America}, Beaufort Listed as number 7 on the List. The Progressive Farmer, February 2005
* Five Beaufort County Golf Courses Named to "The Fab 50 Golf Communities," Retirement Lifestyles in the Carolinas,
March/April/May 2005
* Our 11 Can't Miss Destinations. Sounding magazine, July 2004
* Top 5 Retirement Towns. Fortune magazine, July 2004
* Top 10 Places to Buy at Second Home. MSN Money, June 2004
* Readers Choice for Favorite Small Town. Southern Living, June 2004
* 8 Great Low Tax Towns. Where to Retire magazine, January/February 2004
* Top 10 Towns for Second Home Investment. EscapeHomes.com
* Top 10 Small Towns of the Carolinas. Retirement Lifestyles in the Carolinas magazine & RetireSouth.com, Spring 2003
* 10 Great Places, for the All-American Honeymoon. USA Today, October 19, 2001
|
|