Charleston SC Real Estate Guide, Mt. Pleasant South Carolina Real Estate, SC Coastal Homes

Breathtaking during all seasons, Isle of Palms, SC is a jewel on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. This Atlantic barrier island prides itself on being a family beach. This perfect balance between beautiful beach and family-friendly fun attracts many to this Lowcountry island paradise, drawing approximately 5,000 fulltime residents and 20,000 to 50,000 investment owners and visitors to make it their home and destination.

The City of Isle of Palms has a steadfast commitment to preserving its unique and picturesque coastal environment. In 2002, the Clean Beaches Council awarded the Blue Wave Designation to Isle of Palms. The first city in South Carolina to receive such an honor, Isle of Palms has successfully kept the Blue Wave Designation ever since.
Located less than 20 minutes from Charleston, SC , the 7-mile long and 1 mile wide island municipality of Isle of Palms greets you, whether its for a weekend, or for year round Lowcountry living!

Incorporated in 1953, Isle of Palms was created as GI’s returning from World War II caused a boom in housing demand. Attorney J.C. Long originally developed the island after to be an affordable place where service people could buy homes and raise a family. Some of these families set down roots in Isle of Palms, and their descendants still live here today. But long before World War II, the area that is now Isle of Palms was inhabited as early as 25,000 years ago. It was then that the Seewee Indians lived on the island. Many accounts state that the Seewee Indians were the first to greet the English when they arrived, swimming to their ships and guiding the travelers to shore.

Originally named Hunting Island and then Long Island, the island was rumored to have played host to pirates! Legend has it that pirates buried their treasures for safekeeping in the dunes and woods of the island, though no archeological evidence has been found to support this claim.

The most significant historical event to occur in the area was during the Civil War with the launching of the CSS Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. The Hunley sank the Union battleship, USS Housatonic, but she and her crew were lost at sea shortly thereafter. The wreck of the Hunley was discovered offshore of Sullivan's Island in 1995, and has been safely recovered and preserved.

Through the 19th century, the island remained a refuge from the hustle and bustle—and heat—of nearby Charleston. With no permanent inhabitants, this site was popular for day trips and camping. J.S. Lawrence purchased the island in 1899, and renamed it the Isle of Palms. The construction of hotels and resorts shortly followed. A 50 room resort hotel built in 1906 offered the first permanent accommodations. An amusement park complete with Ferris wheel had been built along with a grand beach pavilion in 1912 by James Sottile. At first access to the Isle of Palms was only by ferry. The trip became much easier when, in 1929, the ferry across the Charleston harbor was replaced by the Grace Memorial Bridge. In 1946, a bridge connecting all of the barrier islands was constructed. That same year, the Isle of Palms was purchased by developer J.C. Long of The Beach Company. Long created a community that provided low cost housing to veterans returning home from World War II. The Isle of Palms eventually grew into a bedroom community of Charleston, while still maintaining its seaside charm.