7 Local Haunts

Did you know these seven Lowcountry landmarks are haunted? Visit if you dare!

1. JOSEPH JOHNSON HOUSE (Beaufort) Also known as “The Castle,” this downtown Beaufort home is said to be haunted by the ghost of Gauche, a dwarf jester brought to the area by French explorer Jean Ribaut. Ghosts have been seen in and around the historic home.

2. STONEY-BAYNARD RUINS (HHI) Numerous ghost stories and reports of paranormal activity surround this historic site. Over the years, some visitors claim to have seen the ghost of William Baynard, and even his entire funeral procession, wandering the site after dark.

3. WIGG-BARNWELL HOUSE (Beaufort) This historic colonial house served as a hospital during the Civil War. Visitors have heard strange noises and seen ghosts of soldiers.

4. HAIG POINT LIGHTHOUSE (Daufuskie Island) Haig Point residents and visitors have claimed they felt the friendly presence of Maggie, a young maiden who lived in the lighthouse with her family in the late 19th century. The story goes she died of a broken heart after an unexpected split with a naval engineer.

5. OLD SHELDON CHURCH (Yemessee) Lying among majestic oaks and scattered graves, Old Sheldon Church is beautiful. Hauntingly beautiful. A few visitors have been overcome with sorrow near the headstone for Anne Bull Heyworth, who died at the age of 38 in 1851.

6. CHAPEL OF EASE (St. Helena Island) Visitors have reported strange sensations when walking through the deserted church’s graveyard. Rumor has it that when workers attempted to seal the vault for Eliza and Edgar Fripp, its ghostly residents wouldn’t have it. The bricks used to seal the opening were stacked in a neat pile next to the mausoleum the following day.

7. LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S COTTAGE (HHI) Young Caroline Fripp was the daughter of lighthouse keeper Adam Fripp. During the hurricane of 1898, said to be one of the worst Hilton Head had ever seen, her father passed away. Caroline, wearing a beautiful blue dress, carried out his dying wish of keeping the light burning before the raging storm took her life as well. The legend of The Blue Lady was born. The ghost has been seen at the old lighthouse keeper’s cottage, now located in Sea Pines.