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Folly Beach Pier

SC PICTURE PROJECT 11 Comments

SC Picture Project / Charleston County / Folly Beach Pier

The Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier on Folly Beach was built in 1995 and extends 1,045 feet into the ocean. It culminates in a 7,500 square-foot covered platform that affords an amazing view of sea and sky. Folly was home to two piers before this one. Like today’s pier, they also served as social centers for the island.

Folly Pier in Charleston, South Carolina
Steve Rich of Aiken, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The first pier was built in 1931, along with a pavilion, boardwalk, and the Oceanfront Hotel. In those days, you could catch an afternoon or evening concert featuring such big-band giants as Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, and Tommy Dorsey. It was also the scene of several beauty contests, one of which was judged by the legendary George Gershwin, who summered on Folly in 1934.

Folly Beach Sunrise Pier
Frederic Durrette of Charleston, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

That pier burned in 1957 but a new one soon replaced it – surrounded by a 1,700-foot boardwalk and a modern hotel. Called “Oceanfront Plaza,” the area also featured a skating rink, a bowling alley, and a small amusement park complete with a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and a merry-go-round.

Folly Pier, Peaceful
Frederic Durrette of Charleston, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Like its predecessor, the second pier attracted plenty of famous musicians, including The Tams, The Temptations, Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, The Catalinas, Doug Clark and The Hot Nuts, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even the inimitable Otis Redding. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, young people flocked to the pier to dance the night away. Its giant windows offered wonderful breezes, and you could catch your breath, talk to friends, or share a drink with your date while staring out over the ocean. Sadly, the pier burned again in 1977 and there were rumors of arson. Folly did not have a pier for the next 18 years.

Folly Pier in Charleston, SC
Steve Rich of Aiken, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In an entirely different vein, the current Folly Beach pier revolves around fishing. At 25 feet wide, it stands 23 feet above sea level. At the foot of the pier, you can also find a sit-down restaurant, an upscale gift shop, rod and tackle rentals and sales, a lower patio space available for rent, beach access, and showers.

Folly Beach Pier from Above
David Kennedy of Lyman, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Department hosts monthly fishing tournaments June through September, and the Big Kahuna tournament is held in August each year. In a nod to Folly’s past, it also hosts Moonlight Mixers once or twice a month during the summer.

Folly Pier from Distance
Larry Gleason of Aiken, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Historic Pictures of Folly Beach Pier


The following images are from the collection of Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, a lifelong resident of James Island in Charleston County. All of the views show Folly Beach during the 1940s to 1950s. The pier and pavilion were built in 1925 by Ted Shiadaressi; they burned in 1957.

Historic Folly Beach Pier
Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, c. 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Historic Folly Pier with Coca-Cola Sign
Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, c. 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Folly Pier, Cars on Beach
Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, c. 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Folly Pavilion, 1940s
Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, c. 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Folly's Playground, Folly Beach
Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, c. 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Thanks also to Jerry Braddock Sr. for contributing the snapshot below of the pier in 1950. He shares, “Thought you might like to see a picture of it I took in 1950 when I was chief lifeguard. I don’t remember the name of the bathing beauty standing between me and the pier.”

Bathing Beauty at Folly Pier
J. G. “Jerry” Braddock Sr., 1950 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

More Pictures of the Folly Beach Pier


Folly Pier Fishbowl
Taylor Franta of Charleston, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Folly Pier in a Storm
Mark Wickliffe of Charleston, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Folly Beach Pier

Where is Folly Beach Pier located?
Address: 101 East Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439
GPS Coordinates: 32.655207,-79.939803
Website: http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?nid=66
What else should I see?
Folly Beach Renourishment 0.1 mile
Folly Beach 1 mile
Folly Beach County Park 2.4 miles
Folly River 3.9 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Beaches
  • Folly Beach Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Piers
    Folly Beach Pier Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mike Londo says

      January 14, 2021 at 3:48 PM

      When my wife and I were living in Charleston in the early 1980s, we remember dining at the Atlantic House which was connected to the “Over-the-Ocean” or OTO bar. I recall seeing photos of the destruction following Hurricane Hugo which hit shortly after we left Charleston. I’m curious as to where this really awesome pier is in relation to where the Atlantic House/OTO Bar was located. We’re looking to re-trace our steps in Charleston once we achieve “herd immunity” from COVID-19.

      Reply
    2. Steve Rich says

      July 27, 2020 at 12:03 PM

      Thank you so very much for adding my image to the many awesome Folly pier images already here. An honor.

      Reply
    3. Steve Maguire says

      December 3, 2019 at 10:00 PM

      Where can I get information or speak to someone who remembers the second pier, the one that burned down in 1977?

      Reply
    4. William Wurthmann says

      January 28, 2019 at 3:48 AM

      I was raised on Folly Beach in the 1950s. We lived on 108 E. Arctic and were owners of the Catalina Lodge at that time. On sand dune from the water. Does anyone have photographs of our old business and home?

      Reply
    5. Steven Elliotte says

      May 24, 2017 at 2:53 PM

      I just recently relocated to the South Carolina area and I can’t wait to experience this wonderful beach. I will be exploring real soon.

      Steven

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        May 25, 2017 at 1:19 PM

        You are absolutely going to love it! Welcome to the area!

        Reply
    6. tom says

      July 7, 2016 at 2:52 PM

      I remember the plaza from the 1960s and 70s. In the early seventies high tide was right up against, and at times, splashing over the plaza wall. By the mid-seventies the amusement park and the pavilion as a whole were falling into disrepair. The pier was missing many boards and was kind of dangerous. However, it was open for fishing to the public. It was around those days that attendance was starting to fall off. The 1977 pavilion fire seemed to be the final nail. They tried bringing it back in the early eighties with some concerts, but the county park seemed to be the new attraction and people started going there instead.

      Reply
    7. Judy M K Hollandsworth says

      February 26, 2015 at 4:11 PM

      Day Dreamin'………:)

      Reply
    8. Maebelle Barnett Bazzel says

      January 31, 2014 at 1:09 AM

      The pier did not burn twice. The Pavilion was built in 1925, and it was the one that burned in 1957; a temporary one was built and opened that summer in June of 1957. The Plaza opened in 1960 with a new Pavilion, cement boardwalk, arcade and other buildings. The large pier, over the water, was built in 1931 and was remodeled in 1960. It burned in 1977, and the plaza just didn’t make a go of it after that.

      Reply
    9. Allison Mcgee says

      September 18, 2013 at 2:03 PM

      I am in a wheelchair and I have been to the pier a couple times. I was wondering if I and a few other people could come and enjoy the fishing and view. How much would it cost for us to fish? If so, is there a discount for a group or being handicapped? Thanks Allison Mcgee

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        September 18, 2013 at 3:32 PM

        Hi, Allison! I am posting a link to the town website. Hopefully, you can find answers to your questions there. If you happen to get any good photos of the pier, we would love to share them!

        http://www.follybeach.com/pier.php

        Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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