History Timeline

The History of Folly Beach

The word "Folly" is an Old English word meaning an area of dense foliage

1600’s

The island was inhabited in the early 1600’s by an Indian tribe, the Bohickets, who were eventually forced out as the wave of immigration from Europe continued.

1696

First record of Folly Island is September 9, 1696 when it was was given as a royal grant to William Rivers.  It was privately owned and changed hands several times over the years. During the time before the Civil war, Folly Island was also known as Coffin Land and was somewhat secluded from the civilization and the control of Charleston government. 

1744

Folly was passed down through a generation and sold to Henry Samsways whose deed referred to the Island as "Coffin Land" and a map from 1780 depicts Folly as such. However, a map dated 1800 shows Coffin Land as the western end of Folly Island where the State Park is now. The name Coffin Land came from the fact that it was customary for ships with plague or cholera victims to the leave the ill travelers on barrier islands before they entered the Charleston port. On their way back out to sea, they would pick up the survivors and bury the dead.

1832

The ship Amelia wrecked on Folly Island while sailing from New York to New Orleans. Twenty of 120 passengers died of cholera while marooned on Folly Island and Charleston cut off communications and supplies to the Island, fearing it would spread into Charleston and become an epidemic.

During the fall and winter of 1832, Charleston officials unsuccessfully attempted to quarantine Folly from James Island and Charleston due to an outbreak of cholera that began with the shipwreck of Brig Amelia on Folly Beach just west of the current Holiday Inn. 

Folly Island held a reputation as a hideout for pirates, with only occasional presence of law from Charleston, the few adventurous people of this small island of Folly Beach governed themselves.**

1838

Thomas Gillespie, a Scottish captain, died on Folly. His marker still stands at the southeastern end of the Island.

1860’s

The first shots of the Civil War were fired by Citadel Cadets on Morris Island. Three months later Beauregard’s men fired on Ft. Sumter. The Union army took Folly Island and Morris Island on their way to Charleston

Charleston is a port city on a peninsula protected within a bay.  Folly Island is a six and a half mile long, half mile wide barrier island that receives the brunt of the harsh winds, waves and weather from the Atlantic Ocean.  It also became the campsite from which the United States Union would try to take back Charleston from the South. 

Little fighting occurred on Folly Island, but of the thousands of troops who occupied Folly, many died or fell ill from exposure to the elements and poor sanitation.  Folly Island was a fascinating, strange and uninhabitable jungle like place for northern troops back in the 1860s. During the beginning of the Civil War, strategically useless fortification and still surviving streets were constructed by General Israel Vodges. 

1863

On July 10th, 1863, General Gillmore led Federal Navy and ground forces in taking the lower portion of Morris Island. 

The shelling began on August 17th, 1863, and quickly reduced Fort Sumter to rubble, but it was unable to force a confederate surrender. Folly Island and Morris Island remained occupied by federal troops until the end of the war.

By September 6th, Rebels abandoned Fort Wagner, leaving the entire Morris Island to Federal forces.  Eventually the entire island was a huge campground covered with tents.

1920’s

Rumors of bootlegging on the Island. The original Pavilion was built.

1930’s

The new Atlantic Pavilion, Boardwalk, Pier and Oceanfront Hotel were built where the Holiday Inn now stands.

1932

Nine families lived on the Island year-round.

1934

Gershwin stayed at 708 West Artic and wrote Porgy & Bess. He also judged a local beauty contest.

1937

Over 15,000 people were at the Pier for the 4^th of July celebration.

1940’s

Many homes were built and improvements were made to roads & utilities.

1955

Elmer "Trigger" Burke (the man who killed Joseph "Specs" O’Keefe of the $1.2 million Brinks robbery) rented a cottage on Folly and was arrested by the FBI on the corner of Erie & Center Street.

1956

The wooden Folly River bridge was replaced with a concrete bridge.

1957

The Oceanfront Hotel and Pavilion and Joe’s Restaurant burned.

1960’s

Ocean Plaza was opened with 1700 feet of boardwalk, pier, amusement rides, shops, roller skating and concessions. This was the Golden Era of Folly Beach. The first surfboard on the island was introduced by Pat Thomas.

1964

Palm reading was banned on Folly.

1967

Horseback riding was banned on the Island.

1977

The Pier burned again; suspected arson.

1985

The Holiday Inn was built.

1989

Hurricane Hugo hit Folly Beach and neighboring communities in 1989, destroying many coastal beaches and damaging homes.  In true Folly spirit, the community banned together and recovered quickly.

1995

The current Pier, restaurant and tackle shop were built.

** Accounts of shipwrecks, pirates, freed slaves and scavengers can be found in Ghosts or Devils, I'm Done:  Startling Adventures of Two Officers of the 62nd Ohio Infantry On Folly Island (Deadwood, S.D.: 1908) and Edge of America: Folly Beach A Pictorial History (James W. Hagy: 1997).