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Fripp Island
Beaufort County, South Carolina
Beaufort County, South Carolina
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Beaufort
Website Beaufort County Website

Fripp Island, South Carolina

Fripp Island or also known as just Fripp is located right on the Atlantic Ocean in the Lowcountry part of South Carolina. It is about 21 miles from Beaufort, 96 miles south of Charleston, and 65 miles north of Savannah, Georgia. Some of the neighboring islands include Hunting Island, Pritchards Island, and St. Helena Island. The island mostly serves as a residential vacation resort, but several hundred people live there year-round. It is also the farthest east of all the barrier islands in South Carolina.

History

Island Services

Fire Department

The need for a fire department began in 1962 by legislature for a public service district. This legislation established the Fripp Island Public Service District. Originally, the fire department and first fire truck was housed in a three-sided building The fire department started as a volunteer effort and was later recognized by South Carolina as a volunteer organization. In 1982, a new fire station was built to park the two trucks that were possessed by the department. Four years later the Public Service District hired its first professional Fire Chief to operate the department on a daily basis. The fire station that serves as the island's current station in use was built in 1999. A full-time paramedic was later hired by the county in 2001. The department is composed of 34 volunteers and 19 paid personnel. The department has possessed 2 fire truck pumpers, a squad truck, and a Quick Response Vehicle, and a 6-wheeled Beach Rescue ATV since 2006. The fire department's main services include Fire Suppression, Search and Rescue, Medical Emergency Response, Vehicle Extrication, Top Water Rescue, and Fire Prevention and Public Fire Education. [1]

Water System

In the early days of the island's population, all drinkable water had to be transported onto the island. St. Helena Island started to pump water into Fripp's central water tank by 1965. By 1980, all water was bought from the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority and pumps an average 172 million gallons a year into the island for use by the public. [1]

Fripp Inlet Bridge

The main bridge leading to Fripp Island was built and opened in 1964. South Carolina legislation called for the 2,067 foot bridge to be constructed and be paid for by having a 2 dollar toll. The bridge is now owned and managed by the Fripp Island Public Service District. [1]


Geography

Amenities

Restaurants

  • The Beach Club Restaurant
  • Ocean View Sports Bar
  • The Bonito Boathouse
  • The Ocean Point Grille
  • Cabana Club Restaurant
  • The Food Club
  • The Marina Deli
  • The 19th Hole

Golf

Rentals

Wildlife

Fripp Island, known for its nature conservation, has many animals that reside on the island and on its coasts. Over 175 species of birds brown pelicans, great blue herons, snowy white egrets and wood storks raccoons, alligator and deer bass, trout, flounder, grouper and blue crabs Dolphins endangered loggerhead turtle The forests here are covered with live oaks, palmettos, pines, flowering magnolias and oleanders


Media

The Vietnam War scenes from the movie Forrest Gump were filmed on Fripp Island. Also, many other scenes were filmed in the Beaufort area. The Gay Seafood Company, right outside of Fripp, sold shrimp to the production and served as a real life prop for the shrimping boat scene. [2]

The 2013 American Idol winner, Candice Glover, is from neighboring island St. Helena and worked on Fripp for several years.

References

  1. ^ a b c [ "History"] "Fripp Island Public Service District", 2008. Accessed June 7, 2013
  2. ^ [ "Movies Filmed in South Carolina - Forrest Gump"] "South Carolina's Information Highway" - Accessed June 7, 2013

External Links

Category:Barrier islands of South Carolina Category:Islands of South Carolina Category:Populated places in Beaufort County, South Carolina Category:Seaside resorts in the United States Category:Towns in South Carolina