There is a famous story of a man who dresses in a rain slicker, and walks the beach prior to hurricanes, carrying a lantern. Those who see him are safe and so are their homes. Without fail, the man warns lonely beachcombers of the incoming storm, even prior to any TV broadcast. The man has supposedly walked the beach since being thrown from his horse to his death many years ago.
The original part of this high school is said to be haunted by the ghost of George Pair, the school’s first principal. It is said that Mr. Pair frequently appears in the hall wearing a dark suit with a red tie. His wife who still teaches at the school says that George has told her he just wishes to protect the students. He closes the doors of teachers that work late. He follows students and teachers to their cars after late night activities. It is said that one may hear Mr. Pair’s footsteps walking through the hall though the halls were carpeted many years ago. It is said that this activity was caught on video by a group of adventurous teachers and students in 1994.
On US 76, it is said that an old, ghostly hitchhiker appears at the entrance of the bridge-usually on rainy or foggy nights. The lady, who appears to be in distress, is usually offered help by most. The apparition, who is said to be extremely lifelike, gets into the back seat and tells the driver she is en route to Columbia to visit her mother. Giving them an address on Pickens Street, she continues to converse with the driver before becoming silent. By that time, the car is across the river, the woman has disappeared. It is said that in the 1940s, a woman was killed in the spot that is now the beginning of the bridge, while trying to get to Columbia to see her mother.
Dr. Ladd traveled from Rhode Island to seek his fortune in South Carolina many years ago. While taking up residence in this house, he got in an argument with another man, so they decided to settle the disagreement with a duel. The next morning, Dr. Ladd had decided that a duel was not the solution, so he fired his gun into the air. The other man, who was still quite angry from the previous day, shot Dr. Ladd’s kneecaps out. After three weeks of agony, he died of gangrene. He is often reported to be seen in the house, especially in times of distress.
Many pirates captured by the British were held, hanged, and then dumped into the ocean in this area. It is said that their restless spirits still roam about the premises.
It is said that a person was once hanged under a tree, near the old church, and then decapitated. It is said that the man may be seen during the night searching for his head