Pawley's Island – Pawleys Island or Pawley's Island is both an Atlantic coast barrier island and an incorporated town in Georgetown County, South Carolina. 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.
   
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Pawleys Island Information
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.
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. There is no industry or trade on the island, except for a high-rise condominium. There is a town hall/sheriff's office, a chapel and there are two inns.
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.
A local legend on the island has grown about The Gray Man Ghost, a friendly ghost who warns of impending hurricanes. Serious hurricanes have struck in 1724, twice in 1752, 1822, 1911, 1954, and 1989. 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.
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.
