Historic Gullah Neighborhoods

Gullah neighborhoods on Hilton Head Island were established in the late 1860s. These historic neighborhoods are clustered together on the north end of Hilton Head Island and make up what has traditionally been called the native islander communities.

Each historic neighborhood had its own unique characteristics and was home to individuals with essential skills that fostered self-sufficiency. Despite their differences, these communities were united by common features such as places of worship, food-gathering traditions, local stores, one-room schoolhouses, access to waterways, and family-owned land passed down through generations of Gullah descendants.