Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River, Folly Island is home to the City of Folly Beach. It is located in Charleston County, about 15 miles south of downtown Charleston, via Folly Road through James Island. Along with Sullivan’s Island, it’s the closest beach to historic Charleston.
Folly was once called Coffin Island, but these days it’s full of life. On weekends you’ll find Center Street crowded with revelers who gather to talk and drink. There is a shag club, a pool hall, and plenty of coffeeshops and restaurants with outdoor seating.
Despite its lively nature and an abundant supply of tourists, Folly is a world away from South Carolina’s more commercialized beaches like Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. It’s still a great place to grab a beer, shake off your shoes, and enjoy the sunset with friends.
Th following list highlights the many great places you can visit on Folly Beach:
Folly Beach County Park, Bird Key, Folly Beach Pier, Folly River, Morris Island Lighthouse, Crosby’s Seafood, and last but not least, The Washout.
Historic Pictures of Folly Beach
The following images are from the collection of Maebelle Barnett Bazzel, a lifelong resident of James Island in Charleston County. Most of the views of Folly Beach are from the 1940s-1950s.
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s-1950s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
(Contributed by Maebelle Barnett Bazzel of Charleston, 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent)
Reflections on the Folly Beach
Photographer Kevin Travis, who took this photo of the Morris Island light, shares a great story: “Shot this image on a cold December morning right after Christmas. It was about 40 degrees on the beach at 5:30 am. I used a flashlight to illuminate the old live oaks tree stumps on the beach. Morris Island Lighthouse is in the background. The lighthouse is always the focal point of so many pictures, and rightfully so because of the rich history of this beautiful structure. I wanted to show a different perspective of the beach with the lighthouse playing second fiddle so to speak.”
Steve DuPree, the artist behind the photo of the beached catamaran above, says he calls his shot “Swept Away” because “that is the feeling I get when I look out at a beautiful sunrise. If you are dealing with life’s pressures, get out and watch a sunrise or sunset and just let your mind go. This is the medicine out there.”
Mark Wickliffe tells us about his spectacular image: “This is the site of the Morris Island Lighthouse; it is hidden from traffic and about a 20-minute hike on the beach. Sunrises are often rewarded with extremely grand views, and often you can be the only person with such a grand sight.”
Folly Beach is considered the best place to catch a wave in South Carolina. Even before Hurricane Hugo created the Washout in its destructive wake in 1989 – thought to be the best local break for surfing – people ventured to Folly for the waves. Surfer Angel Llano tells us of the below photo: “Good winter swell in 1978 taken of me by my friend Jim Cooper. The water was really cold, no hood, and the outside air temperature was just above freezing. Coop missed the sequence on this wave. It was a fun ride!”
More Pictures of Folly Beach
My wife and I also just bought a house on Folly Beach and would love to hang some of the vintage photographs on our walls. I would appreciate if you could advise how we can get permission to use them. Thanks!
Hey Jeff, thanks for asking and congratulations on your new home! We reached out to the contributor of the photos and passed your email address along. Hopefully they’ll be in touch soon!
How might one get permission to use Ms. Bazzel’s photography? Thank you!
We reached out to her to let her know that you were interested. Once we hear back, we will get you two connected!
Lived on Folly in the late 60s, worked in the ride lot, shark restaurant, the hot dog stand, by the bath house and Big Jims. Lived next door to Jim Harven at 905 E. Arctic, great time on Folly to grow up.
I remember my mother talking about Folly Beach as that is where her family had gone for years to escape the heat in Charleston. I have one treasured photo of my grandmother, from abt.1912, sitting on an old boat on the shore of Folly Beach and many additional photos of her and her friends in their 1920’s bathing suits there as well. They tell of the times gone by.
We agree, Folly Beach is wonderful. We would love to see those photos, I bet they are very special!
Hi Kenyon, my huband and I just bought a house on Folly and I’d love to put together a wall gallery of vintage Folly photographs. If you’d be interested in share your photographs I’d love to see them!
From the mid 1960s through 1972, we spent many pleasant days swimming at Folly Beach.
As a child I spent almost every weekend at the pier. I learned how to shag there when I was 10.
Thank you for showing me where I had spent the happiest summers of my life. That was a gift of a priceless reflection. So many happy memories for me there.