A Land Steeped in History

History is woven into the very fabric of Spring Island. It lingers in the whispering marsh grasses, in the weathered shells along the shore, and in the tidewaters that shape our shores. This land has been home to generations - each leaving its mark yet preserving the Island’s natural beauty and spirit. From its early days as hunting grounds for indigenous tribes to its storied past as a sea island plantation, Spring Island remains a sanctuary where the past and present exist in perfect harmony. Here, history isn’t just remembered - it’s felt in every step, every breeze, and every breathtaking view.

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Tide and Time

Water has shaped every chapter of Spring Island’s history. Nestled within the Broad River estuary, this land has long been sustained by its rich ecosystem - where oysters thrive, fish are plentiful, and the tides offer both nourishment and passage. For centuries, Native Americans, European explorers, and settlers were drawn to its bounty. By the 16th and 17th centuries, Spring Island sat along vital shipping routes connecting the Caribbean, New England, Europe, and Africa, making it a crossroads of trade and exploration.

Before They Were Ruins

In 1706, the Lord’s Proprietors granted Spring Island to John Cochran, and by the early 1800s, his descendant George Edwards built the family home - whose tabby ruins remain one of the finest examples of Lowcountry craftsmanship. Though little is known about the Edwards family, their wealth was built on Sea Island cotton, a fortune that faded with the Civil War. While the “Old House” endured, Spring Island slipped from the family’s hands by the late 1880s, leaving behind echoes of a once-prosperous past.

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Get the Full Story

Spring Island’s history stretches back for more than a millennium, and we continue to add to it every day. We invite you to learn more about the land, the people, and the history by visiting the Spring Island Trust History page, where we take a deep dive on topics that include: Precolonial Period - The Early Colonial Period - The Cochran/Edwards Era - Post-Civil War - The Copp Era - The Walker Era - Chaffin/Light Vision for Spring Island - The Spring Island Community Becomes a Reality