Edisto Beach, South Carolina
| Edisto Beach, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Location of Edisto Beach, South Carolina |
|
| Coordinates: 32°29′15″N 80°19′28″W / 32.48750°N 80.32444°WCoordinates: 32°29′15″N 80°19′28″W / 32.48750°N 80.32444°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Colleton |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager government |
| • Mayor | Jane Darby |
| • Legislature | Edisto Beach Town Council |
| • Senator | George Campsen III (R) |
| • Representative | Kenneth Hodges (D) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.4 sq mi (6.1 km2) |
| • Land | 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 414 |
| • Density | 195/sq mi (75.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 29438 |
| Area code(s) | 843 |
| FIPS code | 45-23020 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1231260 |
| Website | www |
Edisto Beach is a town in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. Edisto Beach's population was 414 as of the 2010 census, down from 641 at the 2000 census. The town limits include only the developed coastal area of Edisto Island within Colleton County, while the majority of the island consists of unincorporated land in Charleston County. Due to its status as a bedroom community, Edisto Beach is among the most affluent communities in the state.
Edisto Beach was originally settled by the Edistow Indians, but was rediscovered by the Spanish in the late 16th century. Thereafter, commerce on the island began to develop. Rice and indigo were the most common crops during the early settlement years. Later, significant cotton plantations were built and flourished. This industry, fueled by rich land owners and slaves, prospered until the Civil War.
Although Union soldiers invaded Edisto and Johns Island, Confederate forces were able to retain control of Charleston until 1865, very late in the Civil War.
By the 1920s South Carolina residents began arriving on Edisto Island and Edisto Beach to build crude retreats. In those days, access to the island could be gained only at low tide by driving or riding across the marsh on beds of oyster shells.
Although most homes on the island were destroyed in the 1940s, Hurricane Hugo spared the island in 1989. It has since become a vacation destination with a section of the island recently purchased by Wyndham Resorts. In 2012, Edisto held its first ever road race attracting close to 200 runners, including the mayor.
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Wikipedia