Parris Island offers more than Marine graduations. Make time to see natural, historic sites
Depending on your background, the words “pleasant,” “enjoyable,” and “fascinating” may or may not describe your impressions of a visit to Parris Island.
If you are, or have been, a U.S. Marine Corps recruit, then your visit may have been a bit more adventurous as you worked to complete the rigorous physical and mental challenges of 13 weeks at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
If you were a civilian visitor, however, those words would likely ring true about a day or an afternoon spent exploring some of the unique natural and historic sites on the island.
Parris Island near Port Royal is home to both the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, where thousands of young men and women are trained and prepared for duty in the USMC, and the site of Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark.
There, on the edge of the marsh and at the end of a beautiful nature trail, is the monument to one of the very first settlements in South Carolina.
A harsh and forbidding world
In 1562, French Huguenots under Jean Ribault settled on what is now Parris Island and established a foothold in the New World. They named their new colony Port Royal and built Charlesfort overlooking the wide waters of Port Royal Sound. They were seeking refuge from religious persecution but found a harsh and forbidding world on this far shore.
In 1566, Spanish forces arrived and destroyed the colony as they sought to reassert their claim on the Carolinas. The Spanish colony, Santa Elena, did not itself last for many years, but the name lives on in the legacy of Lowcountry history.
When you visit the Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark on Parris Island, you will find a fascinating and quiet corner of the Lowcountry.
Here, the site of Charlesfort has been excavated and preserved, and a monument to Jean Ribault towers over 10 feet high, commemorating the visionary French leader. Historical markers and interpretive exhibits inform you of the past and direct you to appreciate the beauty of the natural world that both sustained the Native Americans and attracted early European settlers to the Lowcountry.
There is a parking area close to the site, but you are encouraged to park and walk the short nature trail to gain the fullest experience from your visit.
Surprises along the trail
The trail will take you through the palmetto and pine woods along the edge of the marshes of the Broad River and Port Royal Sound. The trail is well-maintained, easy to follow and offers a few surprises along the way. Spanish moss sways in the breeze, songbirds sing in the sunlit treetops, and the nearby marsh pops and rustles in the tides.
Your first stop will be an object that seems to connect the distant past to the modern history of Parris Island: the wreckage of a WWII-era aircraft. The heap of weathered aluminum and rusted steel is a relic of a USMC aircraft that crashed during a training exercise during the war. It is a fascinating piece of accidental history preserved for passers-by.
From the aircraft display, continue along the trail to the site of Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark. There, the Ribault monument stands sentinel over the former settlement under spreading arms of live oak trees and against the wide backdrop of Port Royal Sound. A boardwalk and observation deck will carry you out over the marsh to explore more of the natural wonders of the area — and to perhaps understand even more why people would sacrifice so long ago to seek a new life in the Lowcountry.
See the museum, landmark
Since you are on Parris Island, you should do your best to experience two other offerings that are open to the public. The Parris Island Museum is a 10,000- square-foot repository of history and culture of the U.S. Marine Corps as well as local history, including the Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark.
The museum and gift shop are a popular destination and offer an informative and detailed picture of life in the Marine Corps and its contributions to American history and freedom.
If you are seeking more of the outdoors, you can schedule a round of golf at the Legends Golf Course at Parris Island. The course is open to the public and offers a great golf experience — as well as a fine pro shop and grill.
No matter your interest, a day on Parris Island and a walk along the nature trail at the Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark will be a rewarding experience.
Getting there
The nature trail and the Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark is adjacent to the Legends Golf Course (call 843-228-2240 or go to http://www.thelegendspi.com/index.shtml for info and times).
Here is the basic protocol for and preparation needed for a visit to Parris Island: At the main gate, an MP will greet you and and ask for current ID. You will need to provide your destination and purpose of visit, along with a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration.
From the gate and the traffic circle, take the second exit and turn right onto Wake Boulevard. Take a slight left onto Yorktown Boulevard, then stay right onto Belleau Wood Road for approximately 3 miles until you reach The Legends Golf Course at the end of the road.
Be sure to mind the speed limit and stay in designated areas. (For more information on Legends Golf, call 843-228-2240 or visit http://www.thelegendspi.com/index.shtml).
Before you visit the Charlesfort & the Santa Elena National Historic Landmark, you may want to visit the Santa Elena History Center at the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head (843-689-6767 or https://www.coastaldiscovery.org). It is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. most days and is free.
The Parris Island Museum is located at 111 Panama Street and is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free. (843-228-2951 or http://parrisislandmuseum.com).