Folly Beach

Discover the history of Folly Beach and how it transformed over the years from Coffin Island to a popular vacation destination.
Folly Beach was not named for its carefree inhabitants' lifestyles, but it is a fitting moniker nonetheless. Originally dubbed Folly for its dense foliage and forests just across the marsh from James Island and Charleston, the six-mile sliver of land has served as an outpost for Civil War soldiers, an inspiration to George Gershwin, and a place of fond memories for thousands of residents, vacationers, and day-trippers seeking time to relax in the sea and sand. Long before Folly became a place for respite and relaxation, however, it served as a quarantine island for sick sailors, forebodingly referred to as Coffin Island. By the 1950s, Folly's dark history was sufficiently replaced with an amusement park, bowling alley, and moonlight dances out on the pier.

Today, Folly Beach continues to attract and accept visitors and residents of all stripes, from artists and musicians to young families and retirees. Author Stratton Lawrence moved to Folly in 2007 after years of visiting on day trips. He relishes in the pockets of undeveloped forest on the island and the wild terminuses on either end, as well as in the stories told by colorful characters who have called Folly home for generations.