Few U.S. cities have as rich and deeply-rooted history as Sullivan’s Island, a suburb of Charleston. The quaint community serves as an entrance to the Charleston Harbor and has a number of notable features that pay homage to the city’s storied past.

The community’s name is linked to Captain Florence O’Sullivan, who was stationed to look over the island in the 1670s as the colonial settlement of Charles Town was being established in the area.

Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina offers a variety of attractions for people with all interests — from history buffs to nature lovers looking to soak up beachfront life.

Fort Moultrie, pictured here in the foreground with the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in the background, is one of the most notable sites on Sullivan’s Island. The sprawling property is under the auspices of the National Park Service and gives visitors an opportunity to experience, firsthand, one of South Carolina’s most historic locales.

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Fort Moultrie is named in honor of Colonel William Moultrie, who is credited with saving Charleston from British occupation in 1776 after a nine-hour battle in June of that year. The fort was initially constructed of palmetto logs and sand. Today, through extensive renovation efforts, the site reflects all of the phases of its history, which stretched into the late 1800s.

James Willamor/Flickr

Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church is one of the oldest parishes within the faith in the Charleston area. The name, in English, means “star of the sea” and is a fitting homage to the surrounding landscape. Stella Maris was constructed in the early 1870s and initially served as a house of worship for Irish immigrants.

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The 163-foot tall, triangular shaped Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse is difficult to miss, given its stature. The gleaming landmark is sometimes referred to as Charleston Light and is situated on the northern entrance into the Charleston Harbor.

cmh2315fl/Flickr

As its name suggests, Sullivan’s Island is surrounded by water, meaning there is an abundance of beachfront land. While it is situated along the Atlantic Ocean, Sullivan’s Island more technically is bound to the west by the entrance to Charleston Harbor, to the north by Cove Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway, and to the east by the Breach Inlet and Swinton Creek.

Frank Kehren/Flickr

Sullivan’s Island encompasses about 3.4 square miles, of which 2.5 miles is land. Given its adjacent proximity to multiple waterways, the community is host to a number of natural areas. This gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature in all of its forms.

Ken Lund/Flickr

For more details on Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina and what the community offers throughout the year, visit the town’s Facebook page, which includes an ongoing list of upcoming events. The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau also has an abundance of information on Sullivan’s Island happenings.

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Spencer Means/Flickr

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Frank Kehren/Flickr

Ken Lund/Flickr

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Address: 1214 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482, USAAddress: 1815 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482, USAAddress: 1204 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482, USA