Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island are barrier islands east of Charleston near Mount Pleasant. Only 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, the two islands are prime locations for those wishing to live on an island but still enjoy the services of a lively city. First settled by the Seewee Indians, the area became a getaway for Charleston residents in the late 19th century. In 1906, a 50-room resort hotel made the area even more attractive, and was followed a few years later by a beach pavilion and amusement park. In 1929, the original Cooper River Bridge was built, making Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island even more accessible. Most of Sullivan Island’s history lies in its military role that it played protecting the harbor from pirates, hurricanes, British and Yankees. Named after Col. William Moultrie, Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island has played a key role all the way from 1776, when it fought to protect Charleston from the British, to World War II, when it served as the Harbor Entrance Control Post. Today, former military housing serves as homes to residents of Sullivan’s Island. With only 2,000 residents, there are no hotels or motels and few bed and breakfasts or rentals. Those on the island are required to own at least half an acre of land. The beachfront land is owned by the Lowcountry Open Land Trust ensuring the protection of the Sullivan’s Island seashore. Adjacent to Sullivan’s Island, the Isle of Palms is more of a vacation destination with a population of 4,500. During the 1970s, the Sea Pines Company established the resort that eventually became Wild Dunes Beach and Racquet Club. Along with Wild Dunes Resort, voted as one of the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine, are two world-class golf courses, tennis and areas specifically designed for bikers, walkers and roller bladers. Isle of Palms County Park offers hundreds of feet of shoreline and lifeguards on duty during the warmer months. The park also has dressing areas, showers, boardwalks, picnic areas, volleyball, playgrounds and beach rentals. People on the island are able to drive golf carts around on the streets within two miles of their residence. There are many shops, restaurants and things to do on Isle of Palms, while lifestyle on Sullivan’s Island is a bit more secluded. While enlisted in the Army, Edgar Allen Poe was stationed in Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. Poe’s Tavern on the island pays tribute to the author, where it was said he was known to drink at occasionally. As the last lighthouse built by the United States Coast Guard, the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse is said to be the most powerful lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere. With its triangular shape, an elevator, and a height of 140 feet, the lighthouse can be seen up to 26 miles out to sea on a clear day. While visitors cannot go up into the lighthouse, the grounds are open during the day. CHARLOTTE OBSERVER FILE PHOTO