Area Info
Edisto Island, South Carolina, is rich in history. Some
sources state that Edisto Island was settled before Charleston, but
no records prove or disprove this statement. Records do show that Edisto
Island was purchased from the Edistow tribe of Indians by the Earl of
Shaftsbury, one of the original Lord Proprietors, for some cloth, hatchets,
beads and other goods in 1674. Rice and indigo were among the first
crops planted; however, Sea Island Cotton became world famous. It is
reliably stated that the Pope in Rome insisted that his garments be
made of Edisto Island cotton.
The cotton industry brought great prosperity to the Island and many of the Plantation owners built magnificent homes and furnished them with the very best of furniture and books. Some of these Plantation homes are still standing. You may take a tour of the Island and view some of these homes if you wish.
Following the end of the War Between The States and the advent of the boll weevil,
the cotton industry died and the Islanders started truck farming, shrimping,
and fishing. Today, tourism is also one of the largest industries on
Edisto Island.
Resort development began on Edisto Beach in the 1920s when South Carolina beachgoers had to time their arrival to coincide with low tide in order to cross the marsh areas by driving on beds of oyster shells. They then crossed over the dunes to the beach and drove along the ocean to their cottages which had no electricity or running water.
Development was slow in the early days and damage from a major hurricane in 1940 destroyed many of the existing homes. Following World War II, development on Edisto Beach began to increase. Some people even decided to make Edisto Beach their permanent home. Among those were, Paul and Tina Atwood.
Today, Edisto Beach is a pleasant getaway from the fast paced city life so many of us are surrounded by. Edisto's relaxed atmosphere creates the perfect beach vacation.
About The Atwood Agency
Paul Atwood began in real estate working with another broker, but soon decided to go on his own and founded The Atwood Agency in 1954 making it the oldest ongoing real estate and vacation rental company on Edisto Island. The Atwoods operated the company until the late 1960s.
Ownership of The Atwood Agency changed hands several times and in 2000 was purchased by our current owner Mark Steedley. The Atwood Agency continues to be a family owned business with the addition of Mark's wife Gina in 2003. Their commitment to excellence and vision for the future provides the foundation for The Atwood Agency of today ensuring wonderful experiences for clients and customers alike.
About The Owners
The Steedley family is deeply rooted on Edisto Island. Mark’s grandfather was a truck farmer with land holdings on the island, including Cedar Hall Plantation, Maxcy Plantation and Bailey Island, and his mother grew up on Edisto, attending the local school. “I had a magical childhood, spending my weekends and summers on the island,” says Mark, a Walterboro native who moved to Edisto full time in 1995. Gina, who grew up in Summerville, also has childhood ties with island, summering there with her family.
With over 43 years of Lowcountry combined real estate experience, Mark and Gina’s priority is ensuring that Edisto retains the quaint, community charm that their family treasures.
