Have you ever wondered why Pawleys Island is known as “Arrogantly Shabby”?
Because there’s nothing pretentious about Pawleys. The Island’s casual, laid-back charm appeals to both residents and its many repeat visitors. Even in the finest restaurants and Pawleys has several, neckties are not required.
Authenticity is the watchword here: even newer houses are built in the cottage style of the original, historic beachfront homes, with their wraparound porches and weathered cypress siding. Many of the original homes, dating back to the 1700s, have been in the same families for generations (and some of those are available for rental). The only commercial properties on the Island are two Inns: The Pelican Inn, built in 1840, and the Sea View Inn, from 1937, both still operating today. In 1986, when developers of large chain hotels were rumored to be scouting vacant land on the Island, Pawleys Island incorporated as a town and passed ordinances forbidding additional commercial establishments on the Island.
That desire to preserve what makes the Island unique has transcended onto the Pawleys mainland. In a sense, “Pawleys Island” is a vibe that extends beyond the Island itself. Along the Ocean Highway, you’ll encounter more cottage architecture, and while you’ll find four well-known regional supermarkets, you won’t see the big-box stores commonly found on many state highways.
One reason Pawleys remains a laid-back enclave is its location: visitors must cross the Waccamaw River to reach Pawleys, and the only bridges across the Waccamaw are in Conway and Georgetown. Moreover, Pawleys is located between two large tracts of land that will always remain undeveloped except for very specific educational, scientific and cultural purposes: Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park to the north, and Hobcaw Barony to the south.
In some ways, “Arrogantly Shabby” Pawleys Island is a world apart. That’s a major reason why the Island’s multitude of repeat visitors and many longtime residents love it so much.
Photo: North end of Pawleys Island, circa 1940. Several examples of the island’s characteristic cottage architecture can be seen along the beachfront. (Photo credit: Georgetown County Digital Library)
