ISLAND OASIS STEPS FROM BROAD CREEK

Experience the Lowcountry in one of the Island's most unique and historic neighborhoods. At the Retreat at Broad Creek, you'll be staying just a few hundred feet from the first embarkation point where locals and supplies were transported to the Island long before there was ever a bridge. Now developed into one of the island's most popular destinations, Broad Creek Marina is home to restaurants, water excursions of every kind, zip lining, and more.

THE PROPERTY:
The Retreat at Broad Creek is situated on our property and is attached to our main house. It has a private driveway and entrance and a private back patio with outdoor seating.

The first floor is open concept with a seating area with fireplace and 40" SmartTV, dining area, fully equipped remodeled kitchen with ample storage and appliances, and a half bath.

The upstairs has a foyer with a reading nook, two bedrooms, and a full bath. The upstairs foyer has a door to an external staircase that leads to the back patio. The master bedroom has a king size bed; the smaller bedroom has two twins beds that can be used separately or pushed together. Both bedrooms have closets with quality wood hangers, hampers, dressers, and ceiling fans. The upstairs bath has been newly remodeled and has plush towels, a shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel dispenser, and a separate vanity. A stackable washer and dryer is located in a utility room off the upstairs bathroom.

HISTORY:
Most of Hilton Head was once farmed for indigo, rice, and cotton crops. In the late 1800s during the Civil War, a group of freed people set up the first self-governed freedmen's town in America right here on Hilton Head, called Mitchelville, with the help of Union General Ormsby Mitchel. The Gullah people of West Africa who were once prisoners of their oppressors became land owners and business men and women, living off the land and creating a new freed life for themselves. Because of the isolation of the Sea Isles, the Gullah culture was preserved for generations and still exists today. Their traditions of culture, language, food, music, trade, and craftsmanship are inseparable from the rich history of Hilton Head; Gullah is known as the most well-preserved African culture in the US.

After the Civil War and into the early 1900s, the Gullah people continued to build their legacy here. One such Gullah native of Hilton Head was Charlie Simmons, Sr., who owned and operated the first ferry to Hilton Head in 1930. Lovingly called "Mr. Transportation," Charlie "was the first to own a motor boat on the island. He would bring butter beans, watermelons, shrimp, oysters, crabs, cows, and chickens to the market in Savannah, GA from Hilton Head Island along with many Gullah/Geechees from the island three times per week. He also transported students to school and midwives to the bedsides in a number of places. He brought home supplies that community members needed on his return trips. Much of what the Gullah/Geechee needed that they did not grow, they could purchase in one of the two general stores that Mr. Simmons owned. His stores helped to keep the lights on when the Gullah/Geechees needed Kerosene for lamps, they could head over to Mr. Simmons." (source: Gullah Geechee Nation dot com)

The Retreat and the surrounding area is a history buff's delight and an important reminder of what Hilton Head was like before the bridge from the mainland was built in 1956 and before commercialization and development enveloped the island.

THINGS TO DO:
Yes, Hilton Head has beautiful beaches! After all, the island has been ranked the "best island in the US" for the fourth year in a row by Travel + Leisure Magazine. But what doesn't get as much attention are the tidal marshes, rivers, and estuaries that create the diversity of wildlife and landscape here on Hilton Head. To really appreciate the beauty of this island and the Lowcountry, one must look beyond the obvious and experience Hilton Head through the eyes of natives and locals.

What do locals do when they're not sitting in beach traffic or navigating through crowded beaches? Here are some ideas you might consider during your stay, all within steps of The Retreat:
- Eat fresh, local seafood (and other fare) at two local restaurants while overlooking beautiful Broad Creek.
- Go kayaking with the dolphins at sunset.
- Watch the summer fireworks every Tuesday night from the dock at Broad Creek Marina.
- Rent bikes and take the historic bike tour hosted by the Heritage Library Foundation.
- Stroll onto the Marina pier at sunrise with your tea or coffee and watch the egrets and herons hunt in the pluff mud.
- Listen to the oysters spit at low tide while the ospreys soar above the tree line.
- Take a breathtaking zip line tour through the towering pines.
- Sit back and enjoy dozens of talented local musicians every night at happy hour while sipping your favorite beverage.
- Walk down to the Marina and hop on the Daufuskie Island ferry that disembarks from the island every day.
- When it's time to rest and recharge, enjoy the sounds of nature on the back patio while the firewood crackles.
- Read one of many local books by beloved Lowcountry author Pat Conroy or read up on Hilton Head's rich history.
- Take the 2-hour Gullah Heritage Trail Bus Tour and visit many of the island's historical landmarks. (In fact, the bus passes by our house twice a day because of the historical significance of our neighborhood!)
- Stop by the local farm stand a mile away and bring home some fresh produce and seafood for your evening meal.

As easily as you can drive to the beach and join the hundreds of people who love our beautiful shoreline, you can stay away from the crowds and immerse yourself in the local way of life.