Picture a slender strip of land. That’s Isle of Palms, a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. It is a place where history whispers on the breeze and the ocean sings its timeless song.
Isle of Palms boasts a rich history. The island is thought to be at least 25000 years old. The first inhabitants were the indigenous Seewee tribe. Legend says they greeted English settlers by swimming to ships. They even carried travelers ashore. Some Seewees tried to reach England in their canoes but were lost at sea.
Later, pirates supposedly buried treasure here. They sought safekeeping in the dunes and woods. No one has ever found their loot, though. During the Revolutionary War, a British contingent tried to raid a colonial encampment on Sullivan’s Island. The attack failed and many men drowned. They tried to cross the treacherous Breach Inlet. Breach Inlet separates Isle of Palms from Sullivan’s Island.
The Civil War also touched Isle of Palms. The CSS Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel, departed from Breach Inlet. After sinking the USS Housatonic, the Hunley vanished. It was found over a century later in Charleston Harbor.
Isle of Palms remained largely uninhabited until the late 19th century. Locals then recognized it as a refuge. They wanted to escape the summer heat of Charleston. J.S. Lawrence purchased the island in 1899. He renamed it Isle of Palms. Before that, it was Hunting Island or Long Island.
In 1906, a 50-room resort hotel was built. It offered the first permanent accommodations. By 1912, James Sottile constructed a beach pavilion. He also built an amusement park with a Ferris wheel. Transportation developments enabled residents of Charleston to visit. They could catch a ferry to Mt. Pleasant. From there, a rail trolley car went to Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms.
Access became even easier in 1929. The Grace Memorial Bridge replaced the ferry across Charleston harbor. A bridge linked to the islands in 1946. Developer J.C. Long of The Beach Company purchased most of Isle of Palms. He provided low-cost housing to veterans returning from World War II. The Isle of Palms slowly developed into a residential community. It still maintained its charm as a summertime getaway.
The Sea Pines Co. established a resort enterprise on 900 acres of land. It was at the northeast end of the island. Originally named The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club, it was renamed The Wild Dunes Beach and Racquet Club in 1984. Today it is simply called Wild Dunes. Wild Dunes has become a major vacation locale. It has nationally recognized golf courses and other resort amenities.
Despite the changes, Isle of Palms remains a place of beautiful serenity. It has six miles of white, sandy beaches. The island offers a variety of activities. Boating opportunities include kayaks and sailboats. Fishing contests often originate at Isle of Palms Marina. Getting around the island is easy. Most roads have marked bike paths. Golf and tennis are also easy to pursue.
The beach is often the center of activity. Bodyboards are available for rental. Beach volleyball is never far away. Picnic areas are available at Isle of Palms County Park. Beachcombing is a popular activity. A large variety of seashells collect on the beaches. Watch the sky and water for wildlife. Osprey nests, pelicans, dolphins, and sea turtles all call this place home. Isle of Palms is more than just a beach. It is a living testament to time.