Folly History: How Did We Get Here?

Folly Beach commemorates its 50-year anniversary with a city-wide celebration from September 22 through October 1. This beach town is rich with history, as its origins can be traced back to 1696, when it was first mentioned in historical documents by King William III. Since then, the city has grown and transformed into a laidback, family-oriented beach town loved by tourists and locals alike.

The name Folly refers to its iconic coastline, as the word folly in Old English refers to an area thick with foliage and brush. In its early years, the island was home to a number of people who landed on the island by happenstance. Many shipwrecks occurred along the coast, and survivors decided to stick around Folly Beach and call it home.

Years later, Folly Beach became a place of refuge and planning for Federal soldiers in the Civil War. The wealth of foliage provided a haven for soldiers to rest and plan, leading up to the battle to take Fort Sumter. Nearly 11,000 Union soldiers set up camp in Folly Beach to execute strategic military operations.

Following the Civil War, Folly Beach reverted to being one of the sleepier spots along the coast before renovations started, and the “Edge of America” city began to transform. Folly Beach is known for its music scene, and with good reason! In 1934, composer George Gershwin wrote “Porgy and Bess,” one of his most notable operas. The city continued to grow in culture and in population size as people were drawn in by the charm and scenic beauty of the island.

In 1973, during the Disco music era and bell-bottom jeans, Folly Beach became a stand-alone municipality, marking its first year as its own city. The city was bustling with tourists, enjoying scenic spots such as the pier for a night of dancing, the beach for a day of swimming and sunbathing, or eating cotton candy and riding the Ferris wheel at the Folly Beach Amusement Park! While some of these iconic places in Folly Beach’s history are gone, the beach has remained a popular destination for families.

Today Folly Beach is known for its good food, lively music scene, and of course, the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Tourists and locals can enjoy fishing, shark tooth hunting, or just relaxing in the sun. Folly Beach is excited to host 50 Years of Folly to commemorate this history and celebrate its time as a standalone municipality; planning to host festivals, shagging, and disco on the pier, a prom-themed gala, and more for people of all ages.