| 2000 B.C: | Island's first big oyster roasts and fish fries at oyster shellrings in Sea Pines Forest Preserve hosted by the Yemassee Indians. |
| 1521: | Island's first tourists. Spanish seafarers put into Spanish Wells for some fresh water. No golf course so they leave. |
| 1663: | Island's first real estate agent names the island after himself. |
| 1700: | Island enters garment business with introduction of staple cotton at Elliot's Myrtle Bank Plantation. Izod takes cue at few centuries later by adding the alligator. |
| 1861: | 15,000 angry tourists storm beaches at Port Royal Plantation and claim Hilton Head as headquarters for the Union Army of the South. Island's population reaches 50,000 in 1864. |
| 1926: | Charlie Vecchio goes into commercial shrimping in nearby waters. Prince to northern restaurants - 8 cents a pound. |
| 1956: | James F. Byrnes toll bridge ties Hilton Head to the rest of the world (or as we like to think, ties the world to Hilton Head). |
| 1959: | Oceanfront lot in Sea Pines goes for $8,000 |
| 1967: | J.B. Hudson, Jr. serves first customer - and an island tradition begins. |
| 1969: | Arnie Palmer scores 283, low enough to make him the first champion of the Heritage Golf Classic. |
| 1973: | Rosie Casals knocks over Nancy Ritchie for $30,000 in the first Family Circle Cup. |
| 1975: | Brian and Gloria Carmines serve up their first meal as new owners of Hudson's. Customers ask for seconds. |
