BEAUFORT

Beaufort is part of the Treasured Coast, located on the Atlantic Coast near the eastern-most border between South Carolina and Georgia, some 40 miles north of Savannah, GA and about 70 miles south of Charleston, SC. It is part of the area referred to as the Lowcountry because it is flat and at or just above sea level. It is also within the Sea Island area, which consists of some 64 larger islands and more than 2000 smaller ones, along with a portion of the mainland.

Beaufort was named the Best Small Town in April 2005 by the Southern Living Readers' Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. It also was recognized by LIFE magazine's June 24, 2005 issue as the Most Romantic Town in the East. These same qualities have led Hollywood to the area to film such hits as Forrest Gum and The Prince of Tides.

As part of the Lowcountry, Beaufort has a sub tropical weather pattern. The average temperature during winter (January and February) is about 50, while the upper 80's are the rule in July and August.

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.

ACTIVITIES & TOURISM

Beaufort's many rivers and the Atlantic Ocean offer abundant water activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming. Close by are Hunting Island State Park and the Hunting Island Lighthouse, popular sites for residents and tourists alike.

Beaufort also offers numerous festivals and cultural events. For example, there is the Annual Water Festival that celebrates the pristine beauty and charm of the Lowcountry. It lasts for 10 days and includes many activities of interest to all, including boat parades, street dancing, and concerts. The Shrimp Festival includes a 5K run and walk, as well as free entertainment to celebrate the shrimp industry. A favorite activity is tasting the local cuisine via the many samples offered.

Museums offer vivid pictures of Beaufort's past. The Beaufort Arsenal Museum is located in what was once an actual arsenal, constructed during the period from 1795 to 1799. In 1852, the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery Company rebuilt on the original foundation to provide shelter for a garrison of 250 men. This unit originally was organized in April, 1775 and has participated in every war since the Revolution. Nearby is the Parris Island Museum, which offers a collection of memorabilia, art, and personal papers relative to the history of the Marines.