Sullivan's Island and Poe's Tavern

The Town of Sullivan’s Island, a barrier island north of Charleston Harbor, is comprised of approximately 1,780 residents in half as many households.  These are primarily full or part time citizens, who enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of the Island.  There are very few short-term rentals and no hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, or other transient lodging.

The Town, incorporated in 1817 as Moultrieville, did not allow lean-tos or shacks then as now.  At that time lots were required to have a minimum of ½ acre and the same is true today.  Sullivan’s Island is unique in that the beachfront land, which has accreted over the years, is owned by the Town and held in a perpetual easement by the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, protecting the natural environment along the Atlantic Ocean.

This Island has a long military history of protecting the harbor from invaders. Remnants of the military are abundant in now privately held military housing; even former fortifications are now single family residences.  Many of these historic homes have withstood the test of time and ravaging weather.

 The life of Edgar Allen Poe was short, tragic and mysterious.  His time on Sullivan's Island inspired "The Gold Bug" , a story about a mystical beetle that led to buried treasure.