SC 33 east of Hardeeville 1938 Official

SC 49 replaces SC 33 east of Hardeeville 1939 Official

Adjustments:
In 1947, SC 46 was extended west replacing SC 5 ALT from US 17 to SC 5 (now US 321).
In 1956, SC 46 was rerouted at Bluffton to replace SC 462 north 2 miles, then replaced S-7-39 east to the Hilton Head Ferry, then replaced S-7-44 on Hilton Head Island to end at S-7-80 Forest Beach. The old route to Brighton became S-7-11 (now S-7-66) and S-7-13.
In 1957, SC 46 was moved to the new bridge to Hilton Head Island, leaving behind S-7-242 Fording Island Rd and S-7-298 Jenkins Rd.
In 1965, SC 46 east was truncated to its current end, with US 278 heading to Hilton Head and Forest Beach instead.

SC 46 extended to Hilton Head 1962 Official

US 278 replaces SC 46 to Hilton Head 1966 Official

Note that between 1963-66 the primary highway on Hilton Head Island was removed from today's S-7-44. It is not clear it the route was SC 46 or US 278 at that time.

Highway using today's S-7-44 1963 Beaufort County

Highway removed from S-7-44 1966 Beaufort County

Improvements: SC 46 was paved upon designation; no multilane segments.
Comment: SC 46 serves as a back way to get to Hilton Head Island, although prior to the new US 278 routing east of Hardeeville SC 46 was part of the primary way to reach the resort from the south.
SC 46 is blown off by I-95, although a frontage road was built between US 17-321 and SC 46.
Note SC 46 did not go to oceanfront at Forest Beach per all county maps, despite the state officials suggesting it did.

SC 46 #1 1923 Auto Trails

SC 6 replaces SC 46 1939 Official