In 1706, Spring Island was deeded by Lord Colleton to John Cochran who chose the high bluffs of the island for the site of his trading post. Spring Island was later passed to George Barksdale through his marriage to Mary Ash, John Cochran’s granddaughter.  In 1801, George Edwards (1777-1859) acquired Spring Island through his marriage to Elizabeth Barksdale.

By 1850, the Edwards family lived in a huge tabby mansion on Spring Island’s eastern shore.  Although the Edwards mansion was abandoned after the Civil War, the ruins have been preserved to this day as a tribute to the Island’s heritage. 

In February 1990, the island was purchased from the Walker Trust by a group consisting of Jim and Betsy Chaffin, Jim and Dianne Light, and Peter and Beryl LaMotte.  The non-profit Spring Island Trust was chartered by these developers in that same year with a three-fold mission: protection and management of the island’s natural environment, ongoing documentation of its history, and promotion of its availability as an inspiration for the arts.

The Department of Natural Resources presented its 1994 Land Development Stewardship Award to Spring Island for outstanding development and accomplishment in the improvement of natural resources. The Master Plan maintained the integrity of the 200 year old live oak forests and tabby ruins while providing 500 homesites, an Arnold Palmer golf course, and other amenities.  The development is located near the rapidly expanding growth corridor between Hilton Head and Beaufort, SC and provides a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle that occurs just beyond its doorstep.