Folly Beach SC History

Folly Beach Real Estate Amidist Some Of The Country's Earliest History

Early Colonization On Folly Beach
The Bohickets, an American Indian tribe, were the first known inhabitants of the barrier island that overlooks the southern-most edge of Charleston Harbor. No doubt the many creeks that weave throughout Folly Beach SC, along with the lush maritime forest teaming with wildlife, provided these early islanders with an abundant supply of food. But by the late 15th century, European colonists had arrived, forcing the Bohicket Indians from their home.

In September 1696, Folly Beach SC was deeded through a royal grant to William Rivers, marking the beginning of an era of private ownership for Folly Beach. During the years prior to the Civil War, the somewhat secluded Folly Beach was known as “Coffin Land,” a moniker given to the island because it a was spot where ships entering Charleston Harbor often left passengers suffering from the plague or cholera. The ships would return on their way back out to sea to pick up survivors and bury the dead.

During this pre-war period, Folly Beach served as a hideout for pirates, who drew only the occasional attention from Charleston, leaving the few adventurous permanent residents and earliest owners of Folly Beach real estate to govern for themselves.

Folly Beach's Wartime History
Folly Beach played a pivotal role in the Civil War during its early days, first for the Confederacy, and later for the Union. April 12, 1861 marks the official beginning of the war, when Confederate troops at Fort Johnson bombarded the federally-held Fort Sumter for 34 hours, driving Lincoln’s army from the South’s most important shipping channel. But the first skirmish of the conflict reportedly happened the previous January when Citadel Cadets stationed on Morris Island, located at the eastern-most tip of Folly Beach, fired on the Star of the West, an unarmed mercantile paddle-wheel steamer sent to re-enforce and re-supply Fort Sumter, and successfully forced the ship to retreat. Charleston’s newspaper, The Mercury, characterized the firing on the Star of the West as the “opening ball of the Revolution” and expressed pride that “our harbor has been so honored.”

The Golden Era For Folly Beach Real Estate
At the onset of the 20th century, Folly Beach remained fiercely independent as the seeds of today’s sea island town were being sown. The 1930s saw the construction of the new Atlantic Pavilion (to replace the original Pavilion built in the 1920s), boardwalk, pier and Oceanfront Hotel. Nine families lived on the island year-round, though there were others that owned Folly Beach real estate.

The Golden Era for Folly Beach real estate began in the 1960s with the opening of the Ocean Plaza, which included 1,700 feet of boardwalk, pier, amusement rides, shops, roller skating and concessions. It also saw the first surfboard on Folly Beach.

Hurricane Hugo devastated Folly Beach in 1989. In the building boom that followed, renewed vitality infused “Charleston’s favorite backyard playground.” With the median age of islanders at just 41.1 years of age, well below the state average, Folly Beach residents and owners of Folly Beach real estate have a true appreciation for living life to the fullest.

Artists, writers and musicians feel right at home in the prevailing carefree atmosphere. Folly Beach also appeals to those who yearn for outdoor activities – boating, fishing, swimming, bicycling, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, surfing, and beachcombing – to fill all their spare moments.