Treasure Island got its name in the early 20th century when many residents buried the island on the beach around 1915 to promote its sale and later pretended to find many wooden boxes on the beach. naming the island Treasure Island.

 

The storm of 1848 had carved John Pass at the northern tip of the island, just three feet above sea level, and divided it into two smaller islands, the Isle of Palms and Capri.