Illustration by Dan Zollinger
Where it All Began: The first Pawleys Island Pavilion was built about 1902 and served the island until 1925 when it was turned into a rental property
Where it All Began: The first Pawleys Island Pavilion was built about 1902 and served the island until 1925 when it was turned into a rental property
The second pavilion, built in 1925, featured wide, airy porches and a large dance floor, but no restrooms. It was replaced by the Lafayette Pavilion in 1935.
From The County Record of Kingstree, S.C.: During the summer of 1942, a group of Kingstree teenagers gathered at the beach; they include left to right, top row, Bubba Brown, Betty McCullough (Burgess), Ferrell McCullough, Dorothy Lineberger and Harold Middleton, band leader at the Lafayette Pavilion. Bottom row, Jay Manson Brown, Ann Tuttle (McNair), Floopie Blakely (Geddings) and Junior McClary.
The parking lot of the Lafayette Pavilion reflected the large crowds who visited from all over the region.
When the Lafayette Pavilion didn’t have a band scheduled, music was provided by a jukebox, and a piano was also available for the musically inclined. As would be the case with the fourth pavilion, graffiti was encouraged.
The third pavilion, known as the Lafayette Pavilion, was built in 1935. Georgetown movie theaters advertised on placards in front of the building, and at one point a souvenir and gift shop was built to the left of the building. The Lafayette Pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1957.
The third pavilion, known as the Lafayette Pavilion, was built in 1935. Georgetown movie theaters advertised on placards in front of the building, and at one point a souvenir and gift shop was built to the left of the building. The Lafayette Pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1957.
The fourth and most famous pavilion opened in 1960 and featured some of the most renowned bands on the emerging Carolina beach music scene. This site, adjacent to the Pawleys Island North Causeway, is the site of the Pawleys Island Pavilion reunions today.
And the Bands Played On: National acts as well as bands hailing from North and South Carolina took the stage at the fourth pavilion. Regional groups such as the Monzas, Catalinas, Embers, Cavaliers, and Swingin Medallions played there; all but the Cavaliers landed national recording contracts.
And the Bands Played On: National acts as well as bands hailing from North and South Carolina took the stage at the fourth pavilion. Regional groups such as the Monzas, Catalinas, Embers, Cavaliers, and Swingin Medallions played there; all but the Cavaliers landed national recording contracts.
And the Bands Played On: National acts as well as bands hailing from North and South Carolina took the stage at the fourth pavilion. Regional groups such as the Monzas, Catalinas, Embers, Cavaliers, and Swingin Medallions played there; all but the Cavaliers landed national recording contracts.
And the Bands Played On: National acts as well as bands hailing from North and South Carolina took the stage at the fourth pavilion. Regional groups such as the Monzas, Catalinas, Embers, Cavaliers, and Swingin Medallions played there; all but the Cavaliers landed national recording contracts.
And the Bands Played On: National acts as well as bands hailing from North and South Carolina took the stage at the fourth pavilion. Regional groups such as the Monzas, Catalinas, Embers, Cavaliers, and Swingin Medallions played there; all but the Cavaliers landed national recording contracts.
The Rivieras from Charleston often played at the pavilion and are shown above adding their name to a wall over the booths.
The Rivieras from Charleston often played at the pavilion and are shown above adding their name to a wall over the booths.
The Rivieras from Charleston often played at the pavilion and are shown above adding their name to a wall over the booths.
Crowds gathered at the pavilion during the summer to dance and enjoy the sounds of summer. Linda Quinlan James of the Monzas noted that in her experience they were probably the best behaved crowds on the strand.
Crowds gathered at the pavilion during the summer to dance and enjoy the sounds of summer. Linda Quinlan James of the Monzas noted that in her experience they were probably the best behaved crowds on the strand.
Crowds gathered at the pavilion during the summer to dance and enjoy the sounds of summer. Linda Quinlan James of the Monzas noted that in her experience they were probably the best behaved crowds on the strand.
Crowds gathered at the pavilion during the summer to dance and enjoy the sounds of summer. Linda Quinlan James of the Monzas noted that in her experience they were probably the best behaved crowds on the strand.
Today, only a sign remains to identify the site of the Lafayette Pavilion.
During the annual Pawleys Island Fourth of July Parade in 1997, a sign anticipated the first pavilion reunion, which was to be held in the spring of 1998.
Georgetown resident Paige Sawyer photographed these 45s, which were rotated off of the pavilion jukebox right before the pavilion burned in 1970.
A group of friends share stories told by their parents and friends as they stand by an image of the original Pawleys Island Pavilion. Each year the reunion is held at the site where the pavilion stood prior to burning in 1970.
The Tams rocked the reunion in 2014. The Entertainers are scheduled to perform at this year’s event.
Al and Lauren Joseph (shown here in 2014) met at the reunion in 2012 and were married a few months prior to the 2014 event.
