Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island is a town in Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States, and the Atlantic coast barrier island on which the town is located. Pictured is Pawleys Island Town Hall courtesy of Pollinator. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Grey Man of Pawleys Island

The Town of Pawleys Island is located just off U.S. Route 17, approximately 10 miles east of Georgetown. The island is a little over three miles long and about one-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 high.

The Gray Man is an infamous apparition that is part of the folklore of Pawleys Island. The phantom is said to have patrolled the coastline for around 200 years, warning of hurricanes and dangers. Legend states that people who see him will remain unharmed.

On the evening of 19th September 1989, Jack and Clara Moore claimed to see the apparition as they walked along the beach. Three days later, Hurricane Hugo struck with ferocity.

For further accounts, we recommend you read Haunted America below.

Pictured left is a view of Pawleys Island courtesy of omoshiroi.

Unconfirmed locations in the vacinity

The Weather Channel aired a series in 2014, American Supernatural, that featured the Gray Man of Pawley's Island.

For further information, please read Haunted America by Michael Norman and Beth Scott.