Charleston Business and Vacation Information

Isle of Palms
Shopping and Dining

A Little History

When you're on Isle of Palms shopping and dining or even spending a leisurely walk on the long stretch beach, soaking up the rays, swimming or surfing in the Atlantic Ocean make sure you take some photos of this historic island. In the past the island had such names as Hunting Island and Long Island until it was renamed in the late 19th century.

Although it is said to be more than 25,000 years old, like Mount Pleasant the Sewee Indians were its first inhabitants. They had a tendency to paddle their canoes out to great the English ships. However their curiosity also lead to their death as they were believed to have drowned trying to canoe to England to meet the Queen. Other than the Sewees, pirates were said to have made the island their home

Revolutionary and Civil War Periods

During the Revolutionary War a British Army contingent of 2,500 men unsuccessfully attempted to cross "Breach Inlet", which separates Isle of Palms from Sullivans Island, to over throw a colonial of colonists camping on Sullivans. They were forced to turn back as many of the men drowned. The area was of significance again during the Civil War, as a point of departure for the CSS H.L.Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel in a time of war.

Moving Forward

The Isle of Palms originally was used mostly as a retreat to get away from the hot summers in Charleston. A 50 room hotel was erected in the early 1900's and a huge amusement park soon followed. The only way to get to the Isle of Palms was by a trolley car from Sullivans Island. Access became even easier in 1929 when the ferry across the Charleston harbor was replaced by the Grace Memorial Bridge. A bridge link to the islands was established in 1946. Today the amusement park is now a parking lot and there's a brand new bridge that connects the Island to Mount Pleasant and has become the main evacuation route in case of hurricanes.

Shopping and Dining

There are two shopping lots as you cross over the bridge and the main strip running adjacent to the beach has two hotels and is a nice stretch to walk, shop, dine and enjoy the island night life. The Isle of Palms is a great place to spend some time while you're in the Charleston area.

Check on the Island's location. Isle of Palms shopping and dining on the map

Click on any of the links below to learn more about each business

Isle of Palms
Shopping and Dining

Accommodations

• Seaside Inn - 1004 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms/ 843-886-0921