Bluffton, SC

Situated on a high bluff overlooking the May River is Bluffton, the fifth-largest town in South Carolina in terms of land area. The city is part of Beaufort County and sits 12 miles away from Hilton Head's beaches and 20 miles from Savannah, Georgia. Bluffton made history by providing a safe haven for residents fleeing Union occupation of the South Carolina barrier island. It also served as headquarters for the Confederate army until the town was destroyed by Union soldiers in 1863.

More recently, Bluffton made history due to its rapid growth: In less than five years, beginning in 1998, Bluffton grew from one square mile to 50 square miles after acquiring 32,000 acres of annexed land. The population increased accordingly, rising from 1,275 in 2000 to more than 4,000 today.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Bluffton's prominent neighborhoods include:

• Old Town: The historic district of Bluffton is defined as the original one square mile of the city and contains the Town Hall. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The residential units include mobile homes, cottages and large estate along the river. The neighborhood's main corridor is Calhoun Street, which features retail shops. Quieter parts of the community have single-family homes and places of worship. The streets of Old Town don't follow a traditional grid system, giving this section of town an even more old-time feel.
• Buckwater Place: This 94-acre upscale community features apartments, lofts and townhouses set above retail shops. There are nature trails, ponds, wetlands and a 100-acre park with six soccer fields and three baseball diamonds. A golf course, spa, luxury hotel and grocery store round out the neighborhood's amenities.
• Buck Island Simmonsville: In 2008, the revitalization of this community became a top priority in Bluffton. The low-income neighborhood was annexed into Bluffton in 2005. It is a tightly knit community, composed of longtime residents who are descendants of the original property owners. The 34 licensed businesses in the neighborhood employ 450 people. Bluffton Middle School opened in Buck Island Simmonsville in 2009.
• Bluffton Park: The neighborhood has 33 acres of parks, a community pool and a clubhouse. It is served by Red Cedar Elementary School. Restaurants and shops are within walking distance. The homes range from 1,400 square feet to more than 2,100 square feet in the Charleston style of architecture, with pastel colors and single and double porches. A homeowners' association manages the neighborhood's common areas, which include a lagoon, a gazebo and a fenced-in playground.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

About 12.6 percent of Bluffton's population is below the poverty line. However, Bluffton is one of the rapidly developing cities in South Carolina. Bluffton's economy mostly depends on tourism, as the city has been a popular tourist spot. However, with the growth of Hilton Head Island, commercial value of Bluffton has increased. Major employers in Bluffton are Beaufort County Government, Randstad, and Hilton Head Medical Center & Clinics.

EVENTS

• Rotary Bluffton Oyster Roast: The Rotary Club hosts this annual event that features oysters from the May River as well as chili, hot dogs, bratwurst and fries. The Roast is held at the Bluffton Oyster Co. Park.
• Annual Arts and Seafood Festival: This weeklong festival highlights Bluffton's businesses and culture. Events include kayak tours and boat cruises on the May River, a five-kilometer walk/run, a dinner buffet featuring seafood from local restaurants, a children's fishing tournament and artists displaying work in mediums including oils, pastels, acrylics, photography, pottery, ceramics and stained glass.
• Old Town Merchants Society Gallery Walk: Visitors can explore the Calhoun Street galleries, boutiques and retail shops that make up the town's art district. Pottery, jewelry and paintings are some of the items for sale.
• Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival: These celebrations take place throughout February and March and include food and wine tastings, an international wine competition and auctions.
• Seafood Jazz and Brew: This event includes a brew competition and oyster-shucking contest. Boutique and locally brewed beers are showcased along with classes on beer and food pairings.

FOR VISITORS

• Heyward House Historic Center: Built in 1840 by a local plantation owner, the house is one of only 10 antebellum structures remaining in Bluffton and is the fourth-oldest building in Beaufort County. The Caldwell Archive, one of South Carolina's largest collections of archival resource materials, is located inside Heyward House, which also serves as the town's official welcome center. The staff hosts walking tours of Bluffton's National Register Historic District.
• Church of the Cross: The church was constructed in 1857 and celebrated its 150-year anniversary in 2004. The Gothic-style church survived an 1863 fire that burned down most of the town. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Bluffton Farmers Market: Located along the May River at the Bluffton Oyster Co. Park, this family-friendly marketplace features vendors selling everything from Italian ices and barbecue to specialty dog food. Local farmers and growers bring their fresh produce and plants.

BEST BETS

• Greater Bluffton Pathways: This organization sponsors bike rides for adults throughout the Bluffton area. The rides range from 12 to 25 miles and include tours of Bluffton's historic district and landmarks, a "Forrest Gump" tour that shows locations from the movie, and the Pink Pig Ride that starts and ends at the famous Pink Pig Restaurant.
• Oyster Factory Park: The park is located on the site of the Bluffton Oyster Co., the last shucking and canning oyster factory on the East Coast.

GETTING AROUND

Bluffton is close to Charleston International Airport, Hilton Head Airport and Savannah International Airport. The Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority provides bus service from Bluffton to Hilton Head.