The founding of Palmetto Dunes with E.G. Robinson

Rich Thomas shares what was happening on Hilton Head during the post civil war era through the founding of the Hilton Head company and the creation of Sea Pines by Charles Fraser. Rich explains how logging, phosphate, turpentine and agriculture thrived in the area until the building of the first bridge in 1956 and development of the island into a tourist destination.

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas.  General Gordon Granger informed the enslaved that the Civil War had ended and they were free. What many people do not realize is that emancipation of the enslaved started right here on Hilton Head Island. In this episode we talk with Rich Thomas about what happend on HHI during the Civil War and how President Lincoln was not the first to order an emancipation of the enslaved. Rich weaves a tale of the trials and tribulations of Mitchelville and its catastrophic ending. The story of Mitchelville is another example of how a small sea island was at the center of American history.

Author Annell St. Charles is a long time property owner and lover of Hilton Head. In this episode we find out how she discovered Hilton Head, why she used Hilton Head as a setting for two of her novels and what she enjoys most about the island.

E.G. Robinson was a founding partner of Palmetto Dunes. In this episode E.G. shares with us the beginning of the resort community, the challenges they faced with the property and his relationship with Charles Fraser. E.G. also tells us about Hilton Heads original lighthouse and the Blue Lady.

Rich Thomas joins me to discuss lowcountry agriculture and the impact Rice, Indigo and Sea Island Cotton had on the growth of South Carolina.

Charlene Gardner is the owner of Four Corners Gallery in Bluffton. In this episode we talk about art and artists in the lowcountry, the galleries offerings and why supporting the local arts is important for a community.

Charlie Ryan is the author of "My life with Charles Fraser". In this episode we talk with Charlie about the book, how it came together and his conversations with those who shared stories about their relationship with Charles Fraser. 

If there is one person who had the biggest impact in putting Hilton Head on the map besides Charles Fraser it would be David Pearson. In this episode David shares with us the story behind two photos that went worldwide and garnered major attention for the island. David also shares some of the creative marketing tactics he used and how he "kidnapped" a Sports Illustrated editor which resulted in one of the first swimsuit issues being shot on the island. We also discuss Charles Fraser, golf, Arnold Palmer and more about HHI. But we begin the episode with David's amazing story about JFK and November 22nd, 1963. This is a must listen!

Welcome back Brian Eichenberger from the podcast "Rock and Roll Bedtime Stories". One of the artists Brian and I discuss once owned property in Sea Pines back in the 1990's. That is the only connection to HHI in this show. Brian and I talk about five songs with American themes or connections. Artists include Jimi Hendrix, Tom Petty, Kid Rock, U2 and John Mellencamp. Enjoy this musical detour as we travel down 278 to Lighthouse Road.

Park Plaza Cinema is the long time movie theater at the south end of the island and located near the Greenwood gate to Sea Pines. In this episode we talk with Lucie Mann about the theater they have owned since 2010. Lucie shares with us some of the renovations and updates they have made over the past few years, the delicious menu options available and what's on tap at the bar. Lucie also shares the difficulty of the past year, her trip to petition the governor of South Carolina and how the support of their raving fans helped the theater survive through forced closures and reduced capacity. We finish the episode with some of the things that Lucie loves about HHI.