Parris Island

Front: European occupation of Parris Island dates to the French Charlesfort, 1562-1563. The Spanish built Santa Elena 1566-1587 which was capital of Spanish Florida from 1571-1576. William III of England granted the island to Robert Daniel in 1698 and Col. Alexander Parris, the island’s namesake, bought it in 1715. Union forces captured Port Royal Sound in 1861 and Parris Island served as a Quartermaster coaling station for the duration of the Civil War. Reverse: Port Royal Naval Station opened in 1889. The base became dedicated to use by the Marine Corps in 1915. Parris Island served as the principal training facility for Marine Corps recruits during WWI. After WWII, the Depot has served as the exclusive training site for enlisted women Marines. The base has played a pivotal role in regional development, both through improved infrastructure and direct and indirect economic benefits.