Daufuskie Island lies along the South Carolina Coast between Hilton Head Island, S.C., and Tybee Island, Ga. It is 5 miles long by 2 ½ miles wide, without a bridge, and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mongin Creek, New River, Cooper River and Calibogue Sound. Indians occupied the island until they were forced off by the Yemassee War of 1715. While they were here, the Indians gave Daufuskie its name, which means "land with a point". Bloody Point at that time had a long strip of land that extended southward, where the Indians would meet after raiding nearby plantations. Owners of those plantations followed the raiders to Daufuskie and ambushed them during one of their meetings. Many of the indians died on the beach turning the sand red, which brought the name Bloody Point. Plantation owners soon took over Daufuskie. African slaves tended crops of indigo and cotton for these owners. This lasted until the Civil War, when both the white and black populations deserted the island, leaving only a few old or sick slaves. When plantation owners were condoned after the war, and their land was returned, three plantations were divided into small plots. Land sold at 25 or 50 cents an acre, making it available to former slaves, many of whom bought small plots, built homes, and began living on their own. The Daufuskie Oyster Company was formed and the oyster business thrived from the late part of the 19th century until 1959 when the waters became too polluted. A lumber yard was established on the island providing jobs for many islanders. The lumber would be cut on Daufuskie and then floated to nearby towns. Lumbering brought jobs and income from about 1915 to 1920. Boat building occupied many in the 1920s. Produce farmers took their crops to Savannah or Beaufort via five steamboats that plied the waters between the two cities. At various times, there were several stores on the island. Some people hired domestic help. Midwives had a thriving business. And deviled crabs became a large seller. Two lighthouses were built on Daufuskie: Haig Point in 1873 and Bloody Point in 1883. Both were abandoned in 1925. In 1912, a room in the barn at Melrose served as the first post office with mail coming on the steamers. Mrs. Evelyn Stoddard was the first postmaster. The last postmaster was Mrs. Billie Burn who retired in 1984. Since then, the post office is acquired by contract and is handled by a postal person who at the present is Mrs. Beth Shipman. Mr. and Mrs. Edmond deliver the mail daily to and from Hilton Head. In the mid 80's both Melrose and Haig Point Plantation were bought and rebuilt. Haig Point became a private residential golf community. The Melrose Plantation was turned into a private golf club and residential community. Jack Nicholas designed a golf course for the Melrose Company and brought much attention to the plantation. In the late 1990's the Club Corporation Of America (CCA) bought Melrose. Now named The Daufuskie Island Club and Resort, the plantation is more of a resort and conference center. Many golf tournaments are also held on the Melrose golf courses throughout the year.