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1956 Map of Hilton Head

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Hilton Head
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Hilton Island appears here in the mid-1950s, revealing a landscape of maritime forests and salt marshes just as it stood before the onset of modern resort development. The island's geography is defined by the deep incisions of Broad Creek and Jarvis Creek, which create a complex network of wetlands that separate the interior from the Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound. This period captures several significant cultural landmarks, including the First African Ch and Queen Chapel, alongside military remnants like the Fort Mitchell Site and Fort Walker Ruin.

A network of family and community cemeteries, such as Drayton Cem and Talbot Cem, are scattered across the north end, while the Hilton Head Rear Range and Lighthouse Landing at the southern tip indicate the island's ongoing importance for coastal navigation. The presence of Hilton Head Jr High Sch and several small churches suggests a established rural community tied to the land and the surrounding waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.