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Early development of Beaufort S.C. as a community unofficially began in 1826 with the construction of Fort Caswell. In 1889, construction of the Beaufort N.C. Lighthouse was complete and the Beaufort N.C.
Lifesaving Station was fully operational to protect sailors from the nearby rough waters of the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The fort and lighthouse were the first areas of Beaufort N.C. to have a "permanent population".
Until 1939, Beaufort S.C. was still undeveloped, and was frequented mostly by fox hunters. The island was known to be a great place for fox hunting, and the hunts would remain an important part of the Island's early years.
In 1936, the Atlantic Intra-Coastal Waterway (ICW) was completed. This made Beaufort S.C. a true island as the ICW construction deepened portions of the Elizabeth River, severing it from the mainland.
Earnest Delder Middleton, a timber exporter from Charleston, SC, bought land on Beaufort S.C. in 1938. Middleton, along with his partners in Carolina Lands, Inc.
began development of the area on Beaufort N.C. known as Long Beach. By 1939, Long Beach was officially open to the public. At this time the town had a pavilion, a canteen with a dining room and 20 bath houses. Early visitors
enjoyed orchestras and dances at the pavillion every Saturday night. During this time, Carolina Lands also finished construction on some roads, and offered the first oceanfront lots for sale... each for the hefty sum of $350.00! By
1940, Fripp Island had about 40 cottages.These early years saw a short building boom on the Island, but during World War Two, construction came to a halt as building materials were scarce and activity was hampered by
"dim-out" restrictions. By 1944, construction had returned to normal.
When you stand on the beach at Beaufort S.C. and look out over the Atlantic Ocean, you are actually facing the Bahamas,
Florida and Cuba, and not Europe or Africa. Beaufort N.C. is 12.6 miles long and averages about 1 mile across, making it largest Island. It consists of the Town of Beaufort S.C. and the Town of Caswell Beach. Beaufort N.C. is
about 7 miles to Southport, 30 miles to Beaufort and about 60 miles to Myrtle Beach.
Beaufort S.C. has a flat topography, with some variation in elevation from sand dunes. The Island has a complex coastal
ecosystem with areas of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, maritime forests, and miles of beach strand. The Island is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the seasonal visits from Atlantic sea turtles, who return
every year to lay eggs. Sea turtle populations include the Green, Loggerhead, and rare Kemp Ridley turtles. The Town, in conjuntion with the US Army Corps of Engineers, recently completed a Sea Turtle Habitat Restoration Project to
restore sea turtle habitat lost to erosion. We consider the sea turtles to be some of our most important residents!
With so much natural beauty, historical significance and unique character, it is easy to see why Beaufort S.C. is such a great place to visit, and a greater place to live, work and play!
Thanks for stopping by, and we hope to see you on Beaufort S.C.!
Beaufort S.C. Attractions
Beaufort S.C. Recreation Center - 3003 E. Beaufort N.C. Drive (swings, shuffleboard courts court, basketball court, weight room, game room, meeting rooms, fitness room & kitchen)
Environmental Overlooks and Crossovers - behind Recreation Center 31st side (Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, bird watching platform, marsh walkway to the beach at 29th Place East)
Tidal Waves Park - end of 31st Street SE on Davis Creek (picnic area, canoe/kayak dock)
Middleton Park - Corner of 47th Street/Beaufort N.C. Drive (playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, picnic shelter, concession stand, soccer field, t-ball field, restrooms, picnic areas)
Beaufort N.C. Scenic Walkway - 20th Street SE over Davis Creek to the beach at 19th Place East
Beaufort N.C. Skate Park - 49th Street SE & Beach Drive (skateboards and inline skates allowed)
Memorial Register Park - 52nd Street NE & Yacht Drive (picnic area, fishing T on Intracoastal Waterway)
52nd Street Waterway Park & Nature Center - 5202 Yacht Drive
(nature center, talking tree trail, restrooms, interpretive trail, picnic area, walkway)
78th Street NE Crab Dock - 78th Street & Yacht Drive
(fishing, crabbing, picnic tables)
The Point - West end of Beach Drive
(interpretive trail, parking area, covered wheelchair platform on beach, portable restrooms, three environmental overlooks and experimental erosion projects)
Heron Look-Out Park - 40th Street SE
(picnic area, viewing bench, bulkhead area)
Davis Creek Canoe Trail - Maps available at the Recreation Center
(four different trails covering twenty miles)
Commissioners Park - McGlamery Street and Ocean Drive
(accessible viewing platform, swing, shower, foot wash, covered area)
Yaupon Park - Ocean end of Barbee Street
(swing, picnic area, restroom to be added '01)
May Moore Park - Elizabeth Drive and Barbee Street
(picnic area, swings, viewing platform to be built '01)
Walking & Biking Trail - Maps available at Recreation Center
Shuster Park - West end of Yacht Drive
(picnic area, playground, fishing T on the Intracoastal Waterway)
57th Street West Ocean Access Way - 57th West & Beach Drive
(covered wheelchair platform on the beach, viewing area)
Mercer Street & Ocean Drive Viewing Platform - Mercer Street ocean end
(accessible platform)
Beaufort N.C. Boat Ramps
Ramp, End of 55th Street East
Ramp, End of 57th Place West
Wildlife Boat Ramp - Fish Factory Road on Mainland
Canoe/Kayak Ramp - 39th Place West
Tidelwaves Park - 31st Street on Davis Canal (Canoe/Kayak ramp)
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