Mid Island, SC

Hilton Head Island

By 1846 when he built the mausoleum, through inheritance and purchase, William Eddings Baynard of Edisto Island had become one of the island's major landowners holding multiple plantations throughout Hilton Head from Spanish Wells to Braddock Point. The Baynard family made their home in the large tabby mansion originally owned by Captain John Stoney (now the Stoney-Baynard Ruins in Sea Pines). At some point in the years following the invasion of Hilton Head Island at the beginning of the Civil War, grave robbers broke into and desecrated the mausoleum. A newspaper account from 1932 described the vault as "a handsome affair with room for many coffins. Two of these coffins are form fitting and made of metal. These have rusted and fallen to pieces. Other coffins have been desecrated... Several of the tiniest... Which are also open, contain only a gruesome dust." Now the vault stands empty, but for memories.
By 1846 when he built the mausoleum, through inheritance and purchase, William Eddings Baynard of Edisto Island had become one of the island's major landowners holding multiple plantations throughout Hilton Head from Spanish Wells to Braddock Point. The Baynard family made their home in the large tabby mansion originally owned by Captain John Stoney (now the Stoney-Baynard Ruins in Sea Pines). At some point in the years following the invasion of Hilton Head Island at the beginning of the Civil War, grave robbers broke into and desecrated the mausoleum. A newspaper account from 1932 described the vault as "a handsome affair with room for many coffins. Two of these coffins are form fitting and made of metal. These have rusted and fallen to pieces. Other coffins have been desecrated... Several of the tiniest... Which are also open, contain only a gruesome dust." Now the vault stands empty, but for memories.
At about the same time through the influence of Captain John Stoney and Mr. Isaac Fripp another congregation was formed and a church of wood, on a brick foundation, 40 x 30 ft. was built on Hilton Head Island. Divine Service was performed alternately at each church (St. Luke's Parish Church and Zion Chapel of Ease,) and since there was no Parsonage, the Minister resided with his parishioners.

In 1833, the Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Bowen, Third Bishop of South Carolina, consecrated Zion Chapel, it having been, the record cryptically says, "thrown out of use as to the worship for which it had been originally erected, but now happily recovered." Diocesan records show that Divine Services were regularly held in Zion Church until November 1861 when invasion of the Island by federal armed forces necessitated the flight of the island's white population. When the Rev. Dr. James Stoney (1820-1870), a great grandson of Captain John Stoney, builder of Zion Chapel, was able to return to his rectorship of the Church in the Cross in Bluffton in 1867, his 1868 report says that Zion Chapel, having been built of wood, had entirely disappeared, it's Eucharistic silver and all it's furnishings, altar, prayer desks, pulpit, pews were stolen.

Worst of all for Zion Chapel was the fact that all of its members were dispersed, dispossessed of their homes and property, never to return to Hilton Head Island again. Today, only the cemetery remains.
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Popular places to visit


Mid Island Hotel Deals

Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

4 out of 5
23 Ocean Lane Hilton Head Island SC
The price is ₩278,196 per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
₩278,196
₩374,688 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Everything has been wonderful

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

4.5 out of 5
1 Hotel Circle Hilton Head Island SC
The price is ₩202,481 per night from Feb 11 to Feb 12
₩202,481
₩278,616 total
Feb 11 - Feb 12
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,414 reviews)
Our room was very comfortable and clean. We had an ocean view room and it was amazing looking out at the sunrise and sunset. The desk staff were very warm and friendly and knowledgeable. The valet staff was excellent, especially Joey and Charles.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
2 Grasslawn Ave Hilton Head Island SC
The price is ₩245,284 per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
₩245,284
₩335,864 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
clean. nice layout

Reviewed on Jan 29, 2026

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Hampton Inn Hilton Head

Hampton Inn Hilton Head

2.5 out of 5
1 Dillon Road Hilton Head Island SC
The price is ₩129,610 per night from Feb 17 to Feb 18
₩129,610
₩142,570 total
Feb 17 - Feb 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
The staff was very courteous and helpful. The room was clean.

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Hampton Inn Hilton Head
Island Links Resort by Palmera

Island Links Resort by Palmera

3 out of 5
1 Coggins Point Road Hilton Head Island SC
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (328 reviews)
Clean room and responsive customer services. I was not able to use my included 1 hr tennis court reservation because it wasn’t clearly mention that you have to pay equipment rental fee unless you bring your own. I was bit disappointed. It was overall good experience.

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2026

Island Links Resort by Palmera
Home2 Suites by Hilton Hilton Head

Home2 Suites by Hilton Hilton Head

3 out of 5
836 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island SC
The price is ₩154,556 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
₩154,556
₩170,012 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (685 reviews)
Clean hotel & room. Kitchen w near full size refrigerator w a freezer, dishes. Comfortable beds. The staff is very friendly. You can get free bottles of water out of lobby cooler 24 hrs/day.the breakfast has many tasty options

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2026

Home2 Suites by Hilton Hilton Head
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Mid Island

Shelter Cove, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA

Shelter Cove

While there might not be top attractions in Shelter Cove, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Shelter Cove Harbour and The Golf Courses of Palmetto Dunes.

Shelter Cove
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Folly Field

While visiting Folly Field, you might make a stop by sights like Folly Field Beach Park and Adventure Cove.

Folly Field
Sunset at the beach club. 😎

North End

While visiting North End, you might make a stop by sights like Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club and Country Club of Hilton Head.

North End
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Spanish Wells

While there might not be top attractions in Spanish Wells, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Hilton Head Zipline and Heron Point by Pete Dye at Sea Pines Resort.

Spanish Wells
Walkway to the beach.

North Forest Beach

5/5(4 area reviews)

While visiting North Forest Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Coligny Plaza and Coligny Beach.

North Forest Beach
Sunset at Harbour Town.

South End

If you're spending some time in South End, Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Heron Point by Pete Dye at Sea Pines Resort are top sights worth seeing.

South End


Mid Island, SC