While most beaches conjure images of sand and ocean, Mosquito Beach in the Sol Legare community of James Island is composed of pluff mud and a tidal creek. The strip of road facing the creek is lined with an abandoned building or two and and a few businesses still up-and-running. The rural island road became a popular waterfront hangout for African-Americans in the early 1950s during segregation.
While white James Islanders were relaxing at the local beaches such as nearby Folly, their black neighbors were forbidden to enjoy the same amenities and had to travel to black beaches such as Riverside Beach at Remley’s Point – all the way in Mount Pleasant. As an answer to the lack of a local waterside venue for black residents, the owners of the creekside property, which today remains in the same family, opened a pavilion in 1953. The area then affectionately became known as Mosquito Beach for the insects that populate the area.
Other businesses soon popped up along the strip, including restaurants and dance halls. Even after desegregation, people flocked to Mosquito Beach every weekend for the live music that was carried across the waters of James Island and the dancing that continued into the early morning hours. Enterprising locals attempted to create a resort atmosphere along the beach and even built a 16-room hotel. Yet, today the hotel stands vacant along Mosquito Beach. Violence soon invaded Mosquito Beach, and the resort never took off.
Not long after it came into its own in the 1950s, two murders occurred in Mosquito Beach nightclubs within three years of each other. Those killings began a string of violence that has plagued Mosquito Beach ever since – around one murder every decade – despite efforts by local business owners to abolish it. Residents claim that a long-held turf war between a group of young people who live in the Sol Legare community and a group of neighboring outsiders has led to the violence. Recent efforts to control crime over the years include tighter security during events, increased patrolling by police, and a limit on alcohol sales. Once a landowner even unsuccessfully attempted to privatize and gate the Mosquito Beach Road.
Many are hopeful and believe that the efforts to eliminate violence from Mosquito Beach are helping. Businesses along the beach hope to foster a sense of culture and community. The P&J Snack Bar, seen above, is a favorite spot for casual socializing and cookouts. The Lake House, a restaurant and nightclub, fills the void left when Hurricane Hugo destroyed the pavilion in 1989. The landowners have refused offers from developers to buy the property, stating that they want to preserve and maintain the history and culture of the area before it was gripped by violence. They forsee a future for Mosquito Beach that includes peace, laughter, relaxation, and reminiscing, and they are unwilling to sell their vision.
Reflections on Mosquito Beach
Contributor John Brentt shares: “I was stationed at Main Base Charleston in 1982-1985 and was blessed to go to Mosquito Beach with an older shipmate who was well versed on its history. I recall there being a number of clubs and/or eateries along the boardwalk, which was my first time seeing one. I did some dancing and drinking until 4-5am and went back to base to sleep and get up to be at work by 7:30am. I was 20 then, and 55 now, and even though it wasn’t like it was in the 50s, 60s and 70s, there was still enough of the original magic in 1983 for it to be one of the lasting highlights of my time in Charleston, South Carolina!”
My parents had two businesses on Mosquito Beach. My dad ran The Lake House for 31 years, and my mom ran The Oyster Bank Lounge for 17 years. The Oyster Bank Lounge (formally known as P&J Snack Bar) was established in 2000-2017. (The blue building in picture above is The Oyster Bank Lounge.) This was the popular place for oldies and goodies music and where older folks could hangout, drink, party, and socialize all year long. I am disappointed that there is no mentions of her business in this article and several others out there on the web. But at least in this article The Lake House in which my father owned is mentioned. Since the mid-’80s until 2014, The Lake House was the oldest black-owned dance club still open with the same name and owner. Talking about Mosquito Beach without mentioning the two most popular businesses since 1980s is an incomplete history of Mosquito Beach. If you ever visited Mosquito Beach from then until 2017, you know exactly what I am talking about!
Just went to Mosquito Beach yesterday afternoon after seeing articles about its history. Took our granddaughter as her field trip. Very friendly reception & update from local shop owner. Great views. Now beautifully built almost mansions taking over close by. Hope the historical society sees the great historical value of saving this beautiful place in history for us all.
Thank you so much for this fascinating piece of history. I am a part-time resident from Canada and am so naive on the conditions and current history that the African Americans faced in a time when we felt conditions were better. Shame on us. Congrats to the landowners. I hope I can contribute in the future.
Wow! How absolutely great to see this info on the beach. My family and friends growing up in Charleston often took the long car rides with our parents and clubs during the fifties. Remembered the shells that required that we wear shoes when we went into the water? The landowners are on my list of things to help develop when I hit Powerball and Megamillion. Much love for many memories.
My friend and I visited the Mcleod Plantation a few weeks ago and the tour guide suggested we visit Mosquito Beach to understand segregation back in the day. So we did! We had a delightful visit with the owner of the Island Breeze who shared fond memories of its glory days. We hugged and wished her well and hoped for much better times to come to Mosquito Beach.
I was stationed at Main Base Charleston in 1982-1985 and was blessed to go to Mosquito Beach with an older shipmate who was well versed on its history. I recall there being a number of clubs and/or eateries along the boardwalk, which was my first time seeing one. I did some dancing and drinking until 4-5am and went back to base to sleep and get up to be at work by 7:30am. I was 20 then, and 55 now, and even though it wasn’t like it was in the 50s, 60s and 70s, there was still enough of the original magic in 1983 for it to be one of the lasting highlights of my time in Charleston, South Carolina!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful comment with us, we loved reading it! We added your reflection to the page so it will be more visible to those who visit!
I have heard about this beach a long time ago, but I just found out that it really is a beach. I am looking forward to visit it soon. I do hope that it will be preserved.
I love all kinds of history and like most people especially when it is about self! Preserve this prestigious place…. I will be back to enjoy all it has to offer.
I love the Sol Legare community with its beautiful creek and river access and fields of cows. It still feels like old James Island when it was a farming community. I would love to see the original owners hang onto ownership and preserve their black culture. I hope they can reclaim Mosquito Beach back from the violence. I would love to drop by for a drink and some soul food. It could become a great destination to learn about the history and culture of the community. 🙂