Welcome to Bluffton, South Carolina!

Bluffton, South Carolina is a town in Beaufort County, the southernmost coastal county in South Carolina. It is situated on a high bluff overlooking the May River, a pristine waterway that has strongly contributed to the Town's history and continued success. Bluffton's population was 1,275 at the 2000 census and the town, at the center of the Bluffton Urban Cluster, had a total population of 5,848. However, this separated urban area currently defined as Bluffton is quickly becoming contiguous to that of the significantly larger Hilton Head Island adjacent to it. As designated by the U.S. Census Bureau, Bluffton is included within the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Area.

Originally settled by Native American tribes who lived off the plentiful oysters, clams and shrimp in local waterways, Bluffton was ultimately "discovered" by wealthy Savannah plantation owners in the early nineteenth century. At that time, Bluffton served as an important summer destination, where families of area rice and cotton plantation owners could escape the heat and malaria that afflicted coastal plantations in the summer months.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the area comprising southern Beaufort County was known as Granville County of St. Luke’s Parish. As the Yemassee Indians had established ten towns with over 1,200 inhabitants in that area, it was considered “Indian Lands.” In 1715, the Yemassee War broke out and after several years of fighting, the Yemassee tribe migrated to Florida, opening the “Indian Lands” to European settlement. In 1718, the Lords Proprietors carved the area into several new baronies, including the Devil’s Elbow Barony that contained the future town of Bluffton.

The Town of Bluffton was eventually built on two adjoining parcels in the Devil’s Elbow Barony purchased by Benjamin Walls and James Kirk. The first homes were constructed during the early 1800s by area plantation owners seeking the high ground and cool river breezes as an escape from the unhealthy conditions present on Lowcountry rice and cotton plantations. Easy access by water provided more incentive for expansion and the many tidal coves afforded excellent locations for residences. The first streets were formally laid out during the mid-1800s and the name of Bluffton decided upon during the same period. In 1852 the Town was officially incorporated by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly and comprised approximately one square mile.

Within one year of the capture of Fort Sumter, Bluffton became a safe haven for residents fleeing Union occupation of the South Carolina barrier islands. Bluffton was a headquarters for Confederate forces until Union forces on Hilton Head Island ordered the Town’s destruction in 1863. Approximately 60 structures were in the Town before the attack, only the Town’s two churches and fifteen residences remained standing after the attack.

During the ensuing years, Bluffton gradually recovered from its losses during the Civil War and has grown to become one of the most vibrant metropolitan areas along the South Carolina coast. Located on a scenic bluff overlooking the May River, Bluffton offered plenty of boating, fishing, crabbing and shrimping opportunities. With easy access to Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston, Bluffton soon became an important distribution center, shipping valuable crops across the Southeast and beyond. Eventually, this active commerce brought year-round residents to Bluffton. Many of Bluffton's antebellum homes and churches still stand today, offering a fascinating window into the area's past.

Today, with more and more people moving to the Bluffton area each year, the town continues to grow, welcoming new residents from near and far. A large amount of land has been annexed in the last few years leaving behind the old "1 Square Mile" adage. Located on the mainland across from Hilton Head Island, Bluffton has earned the distinction of being one of the fastest-growing areas of the United States. This Lowcountry town is full of history and has a charming, small town atmosphere, yet it features world-class amenities that make it a unique, appealing community. Bluffton also offers a wide range of restaurants, shopping centers, businesses, hotels, golf courses and residential communities.

The Lowcountry Region, including Beaufort County, offers so much to see and do, from a variety of recreational pursuits (fishing, sailing, hunting, bird watching, paddling, surfing, golf, and tennis, to name a few) to enjoying the many historic and artistic venues scattered through the region (lighthouses, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, concerts, movie locations, the Penn Center Historic District, etc).

Local plantation homeowners and their guests love to re-experience the Lowcountry often by taking advantage of the many local tours through the area. Whether being pulled by horse-drawn carriage, riding an air-conditioned bus, enjoying the thrills of boating or kayaking or even joining one of the frequent walking tours, Beaufort County residents - full or part-time - know to relax around the island. Shopping on Hilton Head Island can include one-of-a-kind treasures from the South Carolina Artisans Center, to clever, little, eclectic shops, to mega, bargain hunting at factory outlets.

If you love the outdoors, a beautiful day's walk or easy drive and a little invigorating competition, don't miss an opportunity to tee off in the Lowcountry, one of the world's premier golf destinations. Dozens of courses to delight players of every skill level stretch across Beaufort County. Lowcountry fairways are respected for their spectacular lagoons, envied for the scenic marshes and maritime forests and long remembered for their abundant wildlife experiences. And the golfing is great, as well. With its temperate climate and year-round sunshine, Beaufort County, South Carolina is the perfect place to enjoy a satisfying round of golf.

And, the island itself is a true paradise. Hilton Head Island in coastal South Carolina is often referred to as the second largest barrier island on the eastern seaboard after Long Island (which is not actually a barrier island but two glacial moraines). Technically, Hilton Head Island is only half barrier island. The north end of the island is a sea island dating to the Pleistocene epoch, and the south end is a barrier island that appeared as recently as the Holocene epoch. Broad Creek, which is actually a land-locked tidal marsh, separates the two halves of the island.

For many years, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina has been renowned as a world class destination for golf, tennis and for family vacations. With over 14 miles of beach, terrific shopping, nature preserves, water sports, biking and so much more, it's no wonder why Hilton Head Island has become a permanent home for so many vacationers.

But vacationers are not the only people who love this ideal locale on the Atlantic. Island real estate is immensely popular and coveted. Million dollar estates, plush executive plantations, luxurious homes, condos, gated community properties and waterside manors are abundant throughout the island. It is as common as sunshine to find yachts standing as if in permanent salute along elegant marinas at docking spots up and down Hilton Head's coastline.

Despite extensive development, however, much of the Island remains as it was when sighted from William Hilton's ship more than 300 years ago. Hilton Head Island's natural beauty, spectacular seascapes and exceptional ecology now beckon a new generation of explorers.

For more information on activities in and around Bluffton, South Carolina, visit:

• Town of Bluffton, SC
• Beaufort County, SC
• Hilton Head Island - Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
• Bluffton, SC Real Estate Summary on IDCide
• Bluffton, SC on MuniNetGuide.com
• Bluffton, SC on CityTownInfo.com
• Bluffton, SC Google Earth Map
• View Bluffton, SC Area Jobs on Career Builder
• View Bluffton, SC Area Jobs on Yahoo HotJobs
• Bluffton, South Carolina on Wikipedia.com
• Bluffton, South Carolina on epodunk
• Bluffton, SC on AskJeeves.com
• Port Royal Plantation
• Sea Pines Plantation
• Shelter Cove Harbour Marina and Villas
• South Shore Commons Villas
• Spanish Wells Plantation
• Wexford Plantation
• Greater Beaufort / Hilton Head Economic Partnership
• Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
• Arts Council of Beaufort County
• Beaufort County / Hilton Head Island Airport
• Beaufort County School District
• South Carolina Lowcountry Tourism
• Welcome to Beaufort County
• Beaufort.com
• Hilton Head Island.com
• Bluffton.com
• Bluffton Today