The History of the Pawleys Island Pavilions

Circa 1920 - 1970

The Pawleys Pavilion is believed to have been the last of four pavilions that provided beach-style entertainment to islanders and summer visitors dating back to the Prohibition era. Molly Mercer’s mother remembers dancing at the first pavilion in 1920 as a 12-year old summer visitor to Pawleys Island. The wooden pavilion was built in the sand dunes just north of the South Causeway leading to the Island. She remembers as a young girl being invited into the building for free with a childhood friend whose family also vacationed at Pawleys. "We liked to dance, and they would let us in for free if we could dance. Once we started dancing, the others would join in". Soft drinks were the only refreshments sold, although some old-timers say stronger drinks ordered in a whisper could be had for 50 cents a pint or 75 cents a quart.

Molly’s mother doesn’t remember what happened to the original pavilion. She thinks it might have been destroyed by a storm or possibly fire, but not long after its demise another took its place. The Brickman family built the second Pavilion in the late 1920s or early 1930s near where the first had been located, amid the dunes. It had a nice hardwood dance floor with booths around it and a soda bar, but no restroom facilities. They had electric Piccolos that played jitterbug music and danced the Big Apple and Little Apple. During summer months, college bands would play – the Clemson Jungle Aires and the University of North Carolina band – which toured regularly. Many others such as Belo Jones and His Five Men from Harlem, a popular local swing band from nearby Georgetown among bands played to young high school and college kids’ delight.

Around 1935, the second pavilion disappeared, and a third pavilion, the one known today as the Lafayette Pavilion was built in the marsh near the South Causeway on the Island. The green wooden building immediately became a hit and is remembered fondly by those who frequented it. During World War II, Pawleys Island was under blackout orders from the U.S. Government, meaning that after dark no lights could be seen. If the Lafayette Pavilion was open during that time, it was during the day. After the war, visitors flowed back to the Island, and the place was jumping during summer months. To quote a local attorney and author from Georgetown, "…I learned to eat pickled eggs, pigs’ feet, and to shag at the Pavilion. The music, the jukebox, the dancing, the Sumter (SC) girls, and the summer romances – they were great."

In 1957, the Lafayette pavilion burned probably because of faulty wiring. It was from the good times held at this pavilion that the (4^th) Pawleys Pavilion (1960-1970) was built three years later over the marsh on the North Causeway on Pawleys Island. The Pawleys Pavilion was built by approximately 50 Pavilion alumnae (and grandparents including Molly Mercer’s) who paid $100 and up, if needed, for membership. With help from the late Senator James Morrison of Georgetown, a road was built to form a triangle reaching southeast from Myrtle Avenue to the North Causeway. The Pawleys Pavilion was constructed on this tract in 1960 with a fabulous wooden floor for dancing, bandstand, jukebox, booths, benches and wooden bar with generous porches and modern indoor restrooms.

For ten years, bands such as Harry Parker and the Caravelles, the Rivieras (from Charleston, SC), the Monzas (from North Carolina), the Travelers (whom some band members later joined the Swinging Medallions), the Catalinas, the Embers, and the Sensational Epics (just to name a few) performed live on stage to hundreds and sometimes to as many as 1,800 high school and college kids from all over South Carolina, North Carolina, and the U.S. during Easter vacation and summer months. Many came with their families to enjoy vacations with their families each year. Many others came on high school and summer house parties, and that is another story. For the most part, parents and grandparents wanted a place for young people to go to and enjoy themselves in a safe atmosphere without having to venture out on the highway.

And, the Pavilion was a safe haven for this young crowd. Drugs were never part of the scene. Because it was our place, we were allowed to make it ours by signing our names wherever we pleased. Every band who ever played at this Pavilion autographed it. It was also very important to be a good dancer…and you couldn’t dance if you were drunk. Of course, some kids had too much watered down beer to drink (and you were supposed to be 18 to legally buy it), but it was great fun…hot, crowded, loud, and heavenly…a place to make new friends and see old ones every year…a great way to learn how to be sociable. Unfortunately, this safe haven came to an end on June 16, 1970. It was intentionally set on fire by an arsonist for whatever reasons remain unknown to this day, although rumors have flown around over the years. A lot of hearts were broken, and many people remember crying when they heard of the Pavilion’s senseless destruction. It was never rebuilt.

But memories of the popular pavilion have been rekindled each May since the first reunion was held in 1998. Reunion-goers increase each year to Relive the Memories of the Pawleys Pavilion. Whether or not you were fortunate to go, or whether it is the first or fourth Pavilion you remember, this will be a night you will never forget – ever!