The Feeling of Real

The iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse is an enduring testament to the dream that became Hilton Head Island. Before this treasured destination was known as America’s favorite vacation island, a visionary named Charles Fraser imagined a resort that would cherish nature, rather than replace it. Somehow Charles was able to bring that vision to reality. This may seem like a standard approach for world-class resorts today, but that is only because Charles’s originality and commitment were so deeply influential. When he began, his vision was anything but ordinary.

A Labor of Love

Only a profound love for the Lowcountry could explain the monumental effort Charles and his followers undertook. The coastal plains of the Carolinas, particularly here on our sea islands, can hardly muster a hill. Yet, the vision for Hilton Head Island was an uphill battle of the most challenging kind. Charles Fraser persisted, surrounded by a world of old ideas that had little patience for the new, nature-first approach he so passionately championed.

His legal training helped him craft covenants to protect the trees, the soil, and the gentle wildlife. But only his heart can account for the tenacity he applied to making this new way of life a reality. And tenacity was essential, as everyone seemed to have a different idea. “Charles, you could fit more lots there if you made the roads straight,” they would advise.

An Unmistakable Sense of Place

When Charles proposed building a lighthouse from scratch, many thought it made no sense. Some even called it “Fraser’s Folly.” But he knew it would give our harbor a powerful sense of place and the island a significant heart. When it became clear he wouldn’t back down, advisors even suggested the stripes should run a different way. But Charles held fast to his vision. And that is the way the world has seen it ever since.

For more than half a century, the Harbour Town Lighthouse has stood as a silent guardian while the PGA trophy for the RBC Heritage is awarded. Its welcoming light beckons to yachts from across the globe and to our neighbors in Savannah. Those who add the 114-step climb to their collection of life experiences, lingering on the landings to learn our island’s story, are rewarded with a breathtaking view they carry home in their memories – whether to Ohio, New York, or the far corners of the earth.

This tower, that climb, and that view find a special place in the hearts of those who pause to let its magic sweep over them. To say the place is special is to state the beautifully obvious.

A Place for Cherished Moments

With such love and dedication woven into its story, is it any wonder that couples choose the Harbour Town Lighthouse as the place to begin their journey together? We understand all that makes this landmark memorable and exceptional. We are delighted to share it with the extraordinary couples who sense what makes this the true heart of Hilton Head Island.

We invite you to experience this enduring symbol for yourself. We will be here, always glad to welcome you.