Article From Travel Magazine

About Beaufort South Carolina

Beaufort is a city and county seat in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. Beaufort (pronounced “byew-furt”, unlike its counterpart in North Carolina) is located on Port Royal Island, in the heart of the Sea Islands and Lowcountry. The city is renowned for its impressive harbor and for maintaining a historic character through its impressive antebellum architecture. Beaufort is also known for its military establishments, Parris Island, a U.S. Naval Hospital, and the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

History of Beaufort, South Carolina The Lowcountry region had been subject to numerous European explorations and several failed attempts at colonization before the British successfully founded the city in 1711. The city initially grew slowly, subject to numerous attacks from Native American tribes and threats of Spanish invasion before flourishing as a center for shipbuilding and later in the antebellum period as the aristocratic center for the Lowcountry plantation economy. During the Civil War, Beaufort was occupied by Union forces following the Battle of Port Royal. Due in part to its early occupation, the city became a center of emancipation efforts for newly freed slaves during the war and into Reconstruction. After the war, the city relied on phosphate mining before a devastating hurricane in 1893 and a fire in 1907. The community rebounded in the later half of the 20th century due to the growth of the military presence and the development of tourism. In spite of new development, Beaufort has retained much of its historic character through its renowned architecture and historic preservation efforts.

Tourism and Events Beaufort is a romantic and popular tourist destination known for its history. Major festivals and arts events include the Water Festival, a two-week extravaganza in the middle of July, the Shrimp Festival, celebrating the local and traditional industry, is in the second weekend in October. In 2007, The Beaufort Shrimp Festival was selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events. The Beaufort International Film Festival held the first week of March screens independent films, such as Brats. A Taste of Beaufort, presented by Main Street Beaufort, is held on the first Saturday in May and features 20 local restaurants, fine wines and live music. Chalk on the Walk at Beaufort Town Center is an interactive festival focusing on bringing street art to and by the people, and is produced the Arts Council of Beaufort County.