This historical marker recalls a sad time from the Revolutionary War age that happened here in…read moreSouth Carolina. The marker is located on a small traffic island at the intersection. It reads, "Revolutionary War Ambush. In December 1781, returning from a patrol with the Patriot militia, Charles Davant was mortally wounded from ambush near here by Captain Martinangel's Royal Militia from Daufuskie Island. He managed to ride his horse to his nearby plantation, Two Oaks, where he died. Captain John Leacraft's Bloody Legion avenged his death." During the Revolution, Hilton Head Islanders supported the rebels while nearby Daufuskie Island was the home of Loyalists to King George III and England. There were a series of "row boat skirmishes" between the two islands during the American Revolution. Davant is laid to rest in the nearby cemetery. [Review 14368 overall, 1693 of 2020, number 735 in South Carolina.]

I've been coming to Hilton Head Island for over a decade and learned two things this visit that I…read moredid not know: 1) The Hilton Head Rear Range Light EXISTS when I previously had no clue of its existence AND is the island's only true lighthouse. 2) The lighthouse in Harbour Town, on the southern end of Hilton Head Island is actually a faux lighthouse! I believe someone said it was outfitted for a movie. The Hilton Head Island Rear Range Lighthouse was built in 1879, activated in 1880 and is also known as the Leamington Lighthouse. It is the only historic lighthouse on Hilton Head Island. It stands 92-feet tall and shares its space with one of the oldest living LIVE OAK TREES on Hilton Head Island. It was constructed along with a second "front" lighthouse to guide vessels into Port Royal Sound. The lighthouse website says its light was once visible from 15 miles away. It was deactivated in 1932, but served as a lookout tower for enemy ships during World War II. It was restored in 1985 and renovated again in September of 2019. REAR RANGE LIGHTHOUSE FACTS FROM WEBSITE: * Originally, a lighthouse was proposed as far back as 1854, but the price of the land was too high. * Two lighthouses were eventually built on Hilton Head Island in 1863. The rear light was blown down in 1869. ​* Current lighthouse was built as part of a pair in 1879 for $40,000. * Lighthouse Board decided to delay activation of the lights until August 1, 1881, when the range lights on nearby Parris Island would be complete. ​* The lantern and Watch Room at the top were originally built of cypress wood. The range light was originally fixed red. In 1893, the original Hains Oil lamps were replaced with Funck-Heap lamps. The Lantern Room is above the Watch Room, and housed a Fresnel Lens. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - You must attain a day pass at the Palmetto Dunes Guard House to access the lighthouse, since it is in a private gated community. There is currently no fee for the pass, but you are also not allowed to park on the lawn near the lighthouse entrance. FINAL THOUGHTS If you are a fan of lighthouses, this one should be on your list! Sharing the same property is a gorgeous live oak tree said to be one of the oldest trees of its kind on the island. Guestimated at around 450 years old. 2020 / 114

One of the oldest lighthouses, if not the oldest lighthouse on HHI. Found out about this one after…read moreI left town last year. Figured I'd find it on this trip. So I googled it and got the directions. I grabbed my lighthouse partner and we went over! It's on a golf course inside of a gated community, so make sure you stop at the guard station. They're pretty friendly. If it wasn't for them, I probably would have gotten lost in there. The only downside is that you can't go up!

This marker recalls the history of a local resident. It reads, "This house, built in 1930, is…read moretypical of materials and methods of construction of those built on the South Carolina Sea Islands from the end of the Civil War to the mid-20th century. It was built on land bought after 1865 by William Simmons (ca 1835-1922). Simmons, born a slave, had served in the U.S. Army during the war, enlisting in the 21st U.S. Colored Infantry as Ira Sherman." The house nearby has the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head which appeared closed today. [Review 12417 overall, 2204 of 2019.]

We have heard about this place for years and we saw it for the first time today! What a delightful…read morearea to visit complete with no Sims to give us a remembrance to take home. No trip to Hilton head would be complete without a bug bite. Aside from the bug bite, we enjoyed the views along the waterway. We may return and take a souvenir cruise at some point.

From their website, it's described as a legendary Lowcountry location, and I'd say that's spot on…read more A visit to The Sea Pines Resort isn't complete without a trip to the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Its museum-like setting offers visitors the chance to explore the rich history of the island while climbing the 114 steps of the iconic red-and-white-striped structure. The museum features a fascinating collection of memorabilia from the Heritage Classic, now known as the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, along with artifacts from the island's historic eras, including the Civil War. At the top of the lighthouse, you're rewarded with panoramic views of the Lowcountry and the island's most elevated shopping experience at the Top of the Lighthouse Shoppe. Honestly, the entry fee was only $7.50 -- a small price to pay for such a beautiful view. Even on a super windy day, the scenery was breathtaking and definitely worth the climb, a must-do activity! Great service!

This historic marker sits in front of this gray building that would be easy to overlook. The marker…read moreis on two sides. The front reads, "This one-room frame school, built ca. 1937, was the first separate school building constructed for African-American students on Hilton Head Island. It replaced an earlier Cherry Hill School, which had held its classes in the parsonage of St. James Baptist Church. After the black community on the island raised funds to buy this tract, Beaufort County agreed to build this school." On the reverse, "This was an elementary school with one teacher, with an average of about 30 students. It had grades 1-5 when it opened in 1937, adding grade 6 the next school year. The black community helped pay for maintenance of the school and also supplemented teacher salaries. Cherry Hill School was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012." The building is not open to the public but it's still worth a stop to check out and remember what things must have been like for black students before equality came around in the South. [Review 14527 overall, 24 of 2021, number 755 in South Carolina.]

This is the site of the first chapel on Hilton Head Island which was completed in 1788. This…read morelocation was the center of activity on the island in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as the chapel was in close proximity to a Militia muster house and a Masonic lodge. It is also home to the oldest existing structure on the island, the Baynard Mausoleum, which was built in 1846 by William Baynard, a wealthy Plantation owner. The cemetery contains the graves and memorials for four Revolutionary War Patriots: Isaac Baldwin, James Davant, John Stoney, and Charles Davant. Charles Davant was ambushed by a Tory militia unit, was mortally wounded, and is the only known Patriot casualty on the island. It is clearly an old and disused cemetery. Some of the headstones are quite worn and impossible to read. There is a small parking area that is accessible from the Matthews Drive ramp. This is history. [Review 14375 overall, round number 1700 of 2020, number 742 in South Carolina.]

It's a small cemetery, loaded with history. Tombstones dating to early and mid 1800's. Each one…read moretells a story. From military grave markers to those of nameless infants and young children. The headstones are beautiful with their patina and age. I recommend watching the video from the historical society that maintains the property as it tells much more about the history of those buried / memorialized in this place. A short visit, well worth the quick stop if you are nearby.

There's nothing here but trees. And the trees have Spanish moss which is infested with chiggers…read morewhich are a pest. You will walk through a path with some cardboard historical figures. You will pass multiple signs directing you to the fort - it doesn't exist. You will walk by signs to protect the walls and therefore not climb them. You cannot climb because there are no walls because there is no fort. If you want a quiet walk, it's not here. Because despite the lack of an actual fort and the seemingly pristine forest, you are across the street from an airport. This along with the smell of diesel jet fuel will ruin your morning jog.

After paying the nine dollars for a day pass to enter Sea Pines we followed the column of traffic…read moreheaded to Harbour Town, I've visited this location quite a bit over the years but it's been more than a decade and it seems not much has change except for the ridiculous amount of traffic on the island. I live in a tourist town in Florida so it's annoying but part of life in paradise. I guess the entrance fee covers your parking because it's all free once you pass the guard gates, all that's required is luck finding a space within a reasonable walking distance, I got lucky today being someone was pulling out just as I arrived at the preferred parking lot a stones throw from the pier. The pier is well constructed and offers some great views and a covered sitting area at the end. There are plenty of charter businesses that run parallel to the pier and a number of placards describing some of the local bird and sea inhabitants. I always spend some time on the local piers when visiting different areas they all seem to offer a few moments of serenity. There is also a walking beach close by that looks like it offers some shelling opportunities but today that option looks limited, I'm sure most visitors grab a few free souvenirs from here. It's a must do while visiting Harbour Town and this alone is worth the price of admission when considering the parking is free...

The perfect spot for your photo of the sunset on Hilton Head Island, there is no charge to visit…read morethe pier (you've already paid to enter Sea Pines) and you can easily get out over the water. We checked it out, took our pictures, and moved along. I think the Daufuskie Island Ferry might stop here, but certainly any number of harbor (harbour?) cruises depart and return from here. [Review 12424 overall, 2211 of 2019.]

I visited here on a tour and I'm so glad I did. It doesn't look like a lot but knowing that it has…read morebeen here for a few thousand years and how they were built just made it an amazing experience. I highly recommend reading about it, our tour guide Todd had some articles online I've read since visiting. There are only 3 remaining in the world, you should see it.

The ring is a national treasure as one of only few surviving archaic shell rings in the state. This…read morealong with its unsolved mystery (Who built it? Why? Why did they leave 300 years later?) makes it 4 stars in my book. I agree I got more excited after the fact once I learned more about it. You need to love history and be a romantic person to really enjoy this. Little kids will be easily bored. Luckily, Lake Joe is nearby (dedicated to kids and family fishing) Check the details on my blog. http://shoutaboutcarolina.com/index.php/2009/08/indian-shell-ring-history-pictures-hilton-head-free-things-to-do/