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ABOUT EDISTO
Edisto is one of South Carolina’s barrier islands located approximately 45 miles south of Charleston. Scenic Highway 174 stretches across the island and winds through moss-hung ancient live oaks, salt marshes, creeks, historic churches and rich agricultural land. The island is bordered on the edges by the North & South Edisto Rivers, the Atlantic Ocean & the Intracoastal Waterway.
The original inhabitants of the island were the Edistow Indians who are believed to have lived here for centuries. The remains of a mysterious Shell Mound can still be seen today on State Park property. The first Europeans to discover Edisto were the Spaniards who named the island “Oristo”, although they never settled on Edisto permanently.
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 In 1674, Edisto Island was secured for England when the Earl of Shaftsbury “purchased” the island from the Edistows, reportedly for some cloth, hatchets, beads and other goods. In the early 1700’s additional settlers arrived and attempts at agriculture began with the cultivation of Carolina Gold rice. Due to the salinity of the creeks and rivers, production of rice failed. Indigo was then introduced which proved to be a successful money crop. The king of all crops, Sea Island Cotton, was the crop that flourished in Edisto’s rich, fertile soil. The planters also flourished, accumulating unimaginable wealth. This era, known as Edisto’s Golden Age, ended with the Civil War. Truck farming replaced cotton in the 1930’s and production of various vegetables & fruits is still practiced.
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 Many of the historic houses, plantations & churches remain on Edisto today and are reminders of that affluent “Golden Age”. These sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and some are put on tour once a year by the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society.
By the 1920’s, tourism began to take root on Edisto. The southern tip of the island, now known as Edisto Beach, began development. The early residents had to time their arrival with the low tide in order to cross the marsh areas by driving on beds of oyster shells. They built quaint beach cottages and had no running water or electricity. In the 1930’s the Edisto Beach State Park was built putting Edisto on the map of summer attractions. Beachgoers also enjoyed a new bowling alley, exploring the Jungle Road by jeep or convertible and going to occasional dances.
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Today Edisto remains a family-oriented, noncommercial beach. There are no high rises, no hotels and no stop lights. You’ll find classic older beach cottages, newer, more elaborate homes and everything in between. We have a championship golf course open to the public, resort condominiums, marinas, fresh seafood markets, shopping, restaurants and so much more! Come Experience Edisto…. You’ll love it!
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