The island is renowned for its rural Lowcountry character and being a major center of African-American Gullah culture and language.

The area was noted to be similar to the rice growing region of West Africa and soon captured slaves were brought to the Sea Islands, many from what is today Sierra Leone.

Rice, indigo, cotton and spices were grown by these slaves, as well as Native Americans, and indentured servants from Europe.

A flotilla of Union ships commanded by Samuel F. Du Pont launched a furious assault on the forts which defended Beaufort.

The economic destruction of the hurricane lingered for decades after the event, causing St. Helena Island to be one of the poorest locations in the United States for many years.

In order to stem the tide of gentrification, significant planning efforts have led to restrictive development regulations to ensure the island retains its rural character and preserves its cultural and historic resources.

Some rural land has been preserved through conservation easements and much of the island is still owned by African-Americans, much of it through heirs property arrangements.

The Indian Hill Site and Knights of Wise Men Lodge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.