The Legend of the Gray Man has haunted the residents and visitors of Pawleys Island for decades. The Gray Man is most notably characterized as a grayish ghost like figure that appears before hurricanes and storms to warn beach goers of impending danger. Legend has it that the Grey Man has made an appearance prior to every hurricane for the last 100 years.
Little is known of the origins of the Gray Man but there are several theories of his identity that has made themselves legend. The most widely known theory is one of a young couple during colonial times that became separated. The woman lived with her family on the island. When the young man returned to see his heart’s desire he became so excited that he tried to cross the marsh instead of using one of the causeways. This turned to be a fatal decision. During his trek across the marsh the man became stuck in mud and drown. Days later after the funeral the young woman took a lonely stroll on the Pawleys Island beach. During her walk she saw a strange grayish figure appear that look remarkably like her long lost love. He told her to leave the island at once. She immediately ran home and told her family of what she witnessed. They left Pawleys Island the next day and stayed at a house on the mainland. That same day a horrible hurricane swept on Pawleys Island and destroyed many of the houses there except for the house of the girl and her family. For residents and visitors alike the Gray Man serves as a legendary folk story.
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