Bluffton’ s History
First settled in the 1820s on a high bluff overlooking the May River, Bluffton began as a one-square-mile village. Landowners, including plantation owners, built homes here to escape inland heat and illnesses during the summer months. Originally called“ May River,” it was officially renamed“ Bluffton” in April 1842.
The South Carolina General Assembly incorporated Bluffton in 1852( though the Act was repealed in 1860). By 1853, a wharf at the foot of Calhoun Street offered steamboat access to Savannah, Charleston and nearby communities.
On June 4, 1863, Union troops attacked then-abandoned village which had become a hub for Confederate spies. The“ Burning of Bluffton” destroyed nearly two-thirds of the Town, leaving just two churches and 13 residences standing.
Bluffton recovered during Reconstruction. The Gullah Geechee people— descendants of Africans who had been enslaved— influenced the region as they cultivated a distinct culture, creole
DID YOU KNOW?
The area was first called May River, then Kirk ' s Bluff, before becoming Bluffton in 1842 as a compromise between the Kirk and Pope families.
language and deep ties to the land. Their traditions, craftsmanship, cuisine and communities shaped Bluffton ' s identity and continue to define the Lowcountry ' s cultural fabric today.
Reincorporated in 1903, Bluffton emerged as a regional commercial center. With the 1926 opening of U. S. Highway 17, steamboat service ended and commerce shifted away from the river. Bluffton’ s population remained small until 1998, when the annexation of parcels of land began expanding the Town’ s footprint. Today, Bluffton covers more than 54 square miles and blends rich history with planned growth.
For nearly 150 years, Bluffton stayed one square mile in size. The surrounding land tells a different story:
HOW TIMBER SHAPED BLUFFTON ' S GROWTH
1937-1941 Large areas around Bluffton became timber farms for paper making. 1993 Del Webb bought 5,100 acres of former timber land to build Sun City. 1994-1995 Sun City opened and brought new growth to the surrounding area. 1998 Bluffton began annexing or adding land to help control development. 1999 International Paper sold 29,264 acres, including the Buckwalter and Palmetto Bluff tracts. 2000-Present Bluffton grew from one to more than 54 square miles.
HISTORIC AREAS
The Bluffton Historic District( 1996) is on the National Register of Historic Places with 46 historic buildings. The Old Town Bluffton Historic District( 2007) is the original one-square-mile area with 86 historic places. Take a Walk Through History: Explore the 30-minute self-guided Historic Old Town Walking Tour to learn about the homes dating back to 1850 that still stand today. Visit the Town website’ s“ Map Gallery” to take the tour online.
WE’ RE HERE TO HELP( 843) 706-4500 townofbluffton. sc. gov 3