Editor’s Note: This history article was first published in Isle of Palms Magazine (Winter 2016). The Isle of Palms as we know it today has only been this way for a small blip in time. Known first as Hunting Island when English settlers met its friendly Sewee Indian inhabitants, and then as Long Island in the mid-18th century, the island slowly grew from a virtually unknown hunting and fishing ground to a backdrop for small but important roles in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. In the past 120 years – a relatively brief period in comparison – the island transformed from a virtually uninhabited haven to a thriving city of more than 4,000 residents and many successful businesses, and a magnet for beachgoers from around the world. The vision, hard work and passion of the following influential people and families helped shape the island into what it is today: 1. DR. JOSEPH S. LAWRENCE Dr. Lawrence began building a public amusement park on the island in 1897. He was president of the Charleston Seashore Railway, which constructed nearly eight miles of tracks and trestles to the island, giving visitors the opportunity to board a ferry from Cumberland Street in Charleston to Mount Pleasant, then travel by trolley and rail to the new hot spot. The park boasted a popular pavilion, a merry-go-round and a restaurant serving meals for 50 cents. Later, Lawrence built a luxury hotel, offering visitors the chance to stay in paradise overnight and drawing people to Charleston for the sole purpose of visiting Isle of Palms. His development was a great success in its time, but Dr. Lawrence’s most lasting and influential contribution was a clever marketing move: He renamed Long Island to Isle of Palms to draw more tourists. And that it did. 2. THE SOTTILE FAMILY The Sottile name has thrived on the island quite literally since modern-day people lived on it. Nicholas Sottile built the first home on the island at 807 Ocean Blvd. His brother, James, opened another amusement park on the island. Its famed dance floor, pavilion and steeplechase games helped give the island the nickname “Coney Island of the South.” It also boasted the biggest Ferris wheel in the world at the time, which could be seen from Charleston on a clear day. His successful marketing of the island as one of the South’s premier resorts helped make him one of the 50 wealthiest men in America at the time of his death in 1964. The Sottile family descendants continued making great contributions to Isle of Palms and were instrumental in incorporating the city, forming the Exchange Club of Isle of Palms and starting recreational programs. They have continued to be active in the island’s government over the decades. 3. J.C. LONG The years after World War I found the island in financial hardship, and time took its toll on the amusement parks and the island’s tourism as a whole. In 1944, J.C. Long, founder of The Beach Company, had a vision to develop the island and forever changed it when he purchased a large portion of the island and began constructing low-cost slab homes for veterans’ families, eventually tripling the number of island residences. He made extensive improvements to the island’s infrastructure: paved roads, new bridges, garbage and trash collection, water and streetlights. His vision transformed the island into a thriving community and rekindled the flame for those searching for the ideal beach vacation. 4. CLYDE MOULTRIE DANGERFIELD Dangerfield, a World War II veteran, and his wife moved to the island in 1948, where they raised their six children. One of them, Tim Dangerfield, was the youngest person to serve on the IOP City Council at the time. In the early years, Clyde was involved with many groups dedicated to service on Isle of Palms: He helped establish the first church on the island and was a charter member and volunteer captain of the Isle of Palms Fire Department and a charter member and past president of the Isle of Palms Exchange Club. Dangerfield served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 18 consecutive terms and was instrumental in obtaining funds for the Isle of Palms Connector, which opened in 1993. It was named in his honor. 5. HENRY FINCH In 1972, Finch Properties purchased 1,600 acres from J.C. Long and began developing it into the Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club. With the help of Charles Fraser and Frank Brumley of the Sea Pines Company, Finch Properties transformed the club into a world-class resort – Wild Dunes. In a letter to Finch, J.C. Long once wrote, “I am completely at a loss for words to express to you and to the others who have participated in the development of the Beach and Racquet Club what a magnificent job I think has been accomplished. It is something that I believe surpasses the dreams of anybody.” Shaping the Island: IOP’S most influential people By Anne Toole J.C. Long Dr. Joseph S. Lawrence The Sottile Family Clyde Moultrie Dangerfield Henry Finch 23 IslandVibesIOP.com HISTORY Continued on page 24
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