Pawleys Island, South Carolina
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| Pawleys Island, South Carolina | |
 South Carolina |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Georgetown |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| - Land | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| - Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 139 |
| - Density | 197.1/sq mi (76.1/km²) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 29585 |
| Area code(s) | 843 |
| FIPS code | 45-55015[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1231638[2] |
| Website: www.townofpawleysisland.com | |
Pawleys Island is a town in Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States, and the Atlantic coast barrier island on which the town sits. The population was 138 at the 2000 census. The post office address also includes an unincorporated area on the mainland adjacent to the island, which includes a commercial district along the Ocean Highway (US Route 17) and a residential area between the highway and the Waccamaw River. The island is on the southern end of The Grand Strand and is one of the oldest resort areas of the US East Coast. The community of Pawleys Island is part of Waccamaw Neck, a long, narrow peninsula between the ocean and the river. The island is connected to the mainland by two bridges, the North Causeway and the South Causeway. At the southern tip of the island is a public beach access area.
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[edit] History
The earliest known inhabitants of the area were Waccamaw and Winyah Indians. They called the area "Chicora", meaning "the land", and the term is frequently used by locals.
With European colonization, George Pawley was an early settler, giving his name to the community. The breezy island quickly became a refuge from the mosquitoes that were notable during the summer. With African slaves that were brought to the area came malaria, so those of means would move to summer cottages on the island to avoid the mosquito-vectored malaria and other sicknesses.
In 1791, two years after he was elected president, George Washington toured the Grand Strand. He passed right down The King's Highway in the unincorporated portion of Pawleys Island to visit the Alstons, who were wealthy plantation owners just to the south. Rice plantations occupied the Waccamaw River side of the neck.
The Grand Strand began to develop into a major tourist area during the early 20th century, but Pawleys was among the last areas to be heavily developed. Cypress sided cottages on the island gave the community one of its monikers: arrogantly shabby. With the coming of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, some of these cottages were swept away and have since been replaced by more upscale homes, but there is a ban on commercial or industrial industry on the island with the exception of a high-rise condeminium and a few inns which were grandfathered in. Though some of the oldest, most classic homes have stayed, such as Beachaven (north end of the island), owned by William Brigham Sr., and the Pelican Inn.
The town government was incorporated in 1986 (some sources say 1984 or 1985). The inland areas are developing very rapidly; in general the locals dislike the new development very much. In fact, they recently ran a successful campaign to refuse Lowe's the right to build in Pawleys.
A local legend on the island has grown about The Gray Man, a friendly ghost who warns of impending hurricanes. Serious hurricanes have struck in 1724, twice in 1752, 1822, 1911, 1954, and 1989.
Although less secluded and more up-scale than it was only a decade ago, Pawleys Island still retains a quaintness and a relaxed pace which makes it a rare island along the U.S. east coast. The water temperature is comfortable from May to October, and there is abundant fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and birdwatching most months of the year.
[edit] Geography
Pawleys Island is located at (33.429169, -79.124880)[3]. The island proper is a little over three miles long and about a quarter of a mile wide. To the east-southeast lies the Atlantic Ocean. The island is a sandy barrier, with some dunes on the northern end up to about 15 feet (5 meters) high. The southern end is very low. Behind the island is a tidal creek/marsh. Farther inland is a sandy neck of land extending to the Waccamaw River and originally forested mostly by longleaf pine which supported an important naval stores industry in the late 19th century and timbering later.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (29.29%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 138 people, 81 households, and 43 families residing in the town. The population density was 196.9 people per square mile (76.1/km²). There were 521 housing units at an average density of 743.3/sq mi (287.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.03% White, 7.25% African American, and 0.72% from two or more races.
There were 81 households out of which 9.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 1.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 45.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.70 and the average family size was 2.30.
In the town the population was spread out with 8.0% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 50.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 76.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,964, and the median income for a family was $97,125. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $48,183. There were none of the families and 1.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
[edit] Education
The public schools include: Waccamaw High School (classified as of spring 2007 as a member of the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) program), the new Waccamaw Middle School, and Waccamaw Elementary. Waccamaw High School has been recognized as a Palmetto Gold school since 2001. Private schools in Pawleys Island include Low Country Day School, K3-12; Pawleys Island Christian Academy, which is connected to Pawleys Island Community Church; and Pawleys Island Montessori Day School.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Former South Carolina Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. was buried in the cemetery at All Saints Church on Pawleys Island following his death in December 2005.
The Coastal Observer, a weekly newspaper covers Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, and Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
The Georgetown Times covers news in the area with a three-times-per week newspaper and on its website www.gtowntimes.com.
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Pawleys Island, South Carolina is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Pawleys Island Guide - DiscoverPawleysIsland.com
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