Parris Island is known for the Marines it produces, but its history stretches back hundreds of years before it became the famed recruit depot in the early 1900s.
The upcoming biannual Iron Mike Bike Tour on March 28th is a chance to cruise around Parris Island and experience its past firsthand. Scheduled from 9am until 2pm, riders can start on the tour anytime on Saturday, starting and ending at the Parris Island Museum.
The tour, which is free of charge, will consist of organized bike tours of Parris Island to promote the local community’s awareness of the historical sites, physical fitness and family activity. The 15-mile, self-guided bicycle tour features pit stops at the island’s historical sites including the World War I-era Marine monument the event is named after.
Members of the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society are usually on hand at several of the sites to provide historical background. Visitors will get to see Marine sites while learning about a history that stretches back to when Native Americans occupied the island.
In the 1500s, French and Spanish had a presence on Parris Island. It became the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in 1915. Parris Island was officially designated a Marine Corps Recruit Depot on November 1st, 1915, after the Marine Corps moved its recruit training operations from the Norfolk Naval Station to South Carolina. While some training occurred earlier, this 1915 date marked the permanent establishment of the island as the primary East Coast boot camp.
If you are taking the tour, be sure to check in at the museum prior to the ride for safety and route instructions. Personal bikes and helmets are required, and personal water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended. Water refill stations will be available throughout the course.
A driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance are required to access the base.
In case of inclement weather, the tour will be canceled, but the Museum will remain open until 4 PM.
The Parris Island Historical and Museum Society support the Parris Island Museum by providing for: the preservation, perpetuation and appropriate publication and display of manuscripts, books, relics, pictures, and other objects of historical significance.
