| Folly Island, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| Folly Beach | |
| Location of Folly Beach in South Carolina |
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 48.3 km2 (18.6 sq mi) |
| • Land | 31.8 km2 (12.3 sq mi) |
| • Water | 16.5 km2 (6.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| FIPS code | 45-26035[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1231287[2] |
Folly Island is a barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean near Charleston, South Carolina. It is one of the Sea Islands and is within the boundaries of Charleston County, South Carolina. During the American Civil War, the 7-square-mile (18 km2) island served as a major staging area for troops of the Union Army that were attacking Confederate forces in the Charleston region. The largest settlement on Folly Island is Folly Beach.
Folly Island was first discovered by English sailors, who named the island after the Old English word "folly," or thickets, from which the term foliage is also derived. The island was a haven for pirates and seafarers in colonial times. It was occupied by the Union army in August 1863 and served as a supply depot and camp for the troops besieging Charleston. Folly Island stayed in Federal control for the rest of the war.