Wendy Nilsen Pollitzer

Named for its abundance of sabal palms, this seven-mile barrier island off the South Carolina coast is a classic beach community.

In 1899, Dr. Joseph S. Lawrence dubbed the island the Isle of Palms to attract more tourists. Originally called Hunting Island by the Sewee Indians, the island was frequented mostly by hunters and fisherman. By the early 1900s, Isle of Palms was a popular resort. People came to visit the grand pavilion built by the Sottile family of Charleston and ride the giant Ferris wheel. Beachgoers enjoyed this recreational haven, but the Great Depression stalled the island's activity. Then, in 1944, Charleston attorney J.C. Long bought and developed 1,200 acres, and the island experienced renewed growth. In 1953, the island was incorporated into the City of Isle of Palms. Today, the Isle of Palms is home to more than 4,500 permanent residents and is a vacation destination for thousands of visitors each year. Images of America: Isle of Palms captures the charm of this old beach community.

Port Royal was chartered in 1874 when the Port Royal Railroad was completed. The town built a port that attracted the largest ships from all over the world, mainly because of the natural depth of the harbor. A coaling station and dry dock built at the Port Royal Navy Yard boosted port activity, but by the end of the 1920s, the town was economically devastated. The shrimping and crabbing industries as well as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at nearby Parris Island were the town's salvation, and in 1958, the State Ports Authority built a terminal that reactivated the port. The town experienced a redevelopment boom in the mid-1990s and is poised for another transformation. Gov. Mark Sanford signed legislation in 2004 to sell the port to developers, as agreed upon by the state and the town. After years of an idle economy, Port Royal's fiscal fate looks promising.