Editing Edisto Beach, South Carolina (section)

==History==
Edisto Beach was originally settled by the Edistow Indians, but was rediscovered by the Spanish in the late 16th century. Thereafter, commerce on the island began to develop. Rice and [[indigo dye|indigo]] were the most common crops during the early settlement years. Later, significant [[plantations in the American South|cotton plantations]] were built and flourished. This industry, fueled by rich land owners and the people they enslaved, prospered until the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].

Although [[Union Army|Union]] soldiers invaded Edisto and [[Johns Island, South Carolina|Johns Island]], [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] forces were able to retain control of [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] until 1865, very late in the war.

Initial development was begun in the early 20th century and planned by the island's owner, John McConkey. However, development stalled when he was murdered.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 18, 2012|title=Edisto Beach: A Look at the Beginning|url=https://www.edistobeach.com/edisto-beach-a-look-at-the-beginning/|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=EdistoBeach.com|language=en-US}}</ref> By the 1920s, South Carolina residents began arriving on Edisto Island and Edisto Beach to build crude retreats. In those days, access to the island could be gained only at low tide by driving or riding across the marsh on beds of oyster shells.

Although most homes on the island were destroyed in the 1940s, [[Hurricane Hugo]] spared the island in 1989. It has since become a vacation destination, with a section of the island purchased by [[Wyndham Vacation Resorts|Wyndham Resorts]] in 2006 from Fairfield that included a restaurant and golf course.<ref>History of Edisto [http://www.edistobeach-condos.com/AboutEdisto.html About Edisto Beach]</ref> In 2012, Edisto held its first ever road race, attracting close to 200 runners, including the mayor.<ref>[http://resultsarchive.active.com/pages/displayNonGru.jsp?pubID=3&rsID=124902 1st Annual Edisto Beach Road Race - March 17, 2012 - Race Results]</ref>

Edisto is known for its low tourism and its industrial scarcity.