You're all well aware that at Brays Island Plantation you have the ability to ride a horse whenever you please, shoot some sporting clays, or perhaps a quail in the morning and par in the afternoon on the golf course.   On August 25th, Paul Pyle opted to do a little fishing in the Broad River (to which you have direct access by boat from Brays).

As you can see from the pictures - catching a 200 lb Tarpon can be added to your daily options list at Brays Island Plantation!!!

Brays Island was first discovered in 1663 by William Hilton, for whom Hilton Head was named.  William Bray, an Indian trader with the Yemassee Indians, settled on the island in the 1690's and gave the island his name.  In the 18th and 19th centuries cotton and rice were the staples.  After the area was ravished by Sherman the property went through several different owners until it was purchased by Mr. Davis as a farm and hunting retreat.

The next era for Brays begins in 1963, when Sumner Pingree purchased the Plantation from the Davis estate and began a farming operation which lasted for 25 years, until the late 1980's when his love of the property led him to create a community for 325 owners to share a traditional Lowcountry Plantation lifestyle.  He set aside 3,500 acres as a wildlife and hunting preserve for dove, quail, deer, duck and turkey.  He built a shooting sports center designed by Holland & Holland and an equestrian center with some 60 miles of trails and sand roads.  He converted the old Plantation home and an adjacent carriage house into a 13 room Inn for owners and their guests and he provided the obligatory concessions to modernity including an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts and a fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools.  Located on a tributary of the Broad River, the property provides boating access and superb fishing in Port Royal Sound and the Atlantic. Sumner is a beloved member at Brays and lives on the Plantation -- a unique accolade for a developer in today's world.   

In 1998 the Plantation was turned over to the home owners, debt free with all amenities completed and operational.  Since then the Homeowners' Association has operated the Plantation for the benefit of the owners.

By 2007, all 325 properties were individually owned and sales were of resale properties.  Brays is in top financial shape with over $3 million in readily available cash for capital and operational purposes.  We have a segregated fund for marketing Brays Island Plantation with a current balance adequate for four years of marketing expenses.   This means a purchaser of land or a home is guaranteed there will be buyers available in the future if there is a need to sell.

We are a mature community, with some 200 completed homes.  Purchase of property at Brays is the only way to become a member and the only requirement.  There is no club to join.  All owners have equal and unfettered access to all the amenities.

In the current economic environment many developers, who rely solely on property sales to fund debt repayment, operating subsidies and marketing are suffering.  Brays Island is entirely owned by the Homeowners' Association, is debt free and in control of our own destiny.  This ensures that your choice of Brays Island is a safe and secure investment for your future.