Southern charm? Check. Spanish moss? Check. Ghost stories that’ll raise your goosebumps? Double check.
The Lowcountry isn’t just known for its sunsets and seafood—it’s also home to a treasure trove of ghostly legends, whispered folklore, and curious tales passed down through generations. From Bluffton porches and Beaufort graveyards to haunted inns in Savannah and Gullah spirits on Hilton Head Island, we’re peeling back the curtain on some of the spookiest (and most fun!) stories this region has to offer.
Bluffton: Spirits on the May River (and on Route 46)
Bluffton may be known for its oysters and art walks, but the historic Church of the Cross is also rumored to be home to some ghostly guests.
Local legend says that late at night, you might catch a glimpse of a woman in white wandering the bluff, mourning a lover lost at sea. Some say she’s tied to the church’s Civil War past, while others claim she’s simply looking for peace on the river she once called home.
Another mysterious haunt? The Heyward House, one of Bluffton’s oldest homes, where doors open on their own, footsteps echo when no one's around, and unexplained cold spots linger—especially near the old slave quarters.
Pro Tip: Take a Bluffton history tour after dark for an extra dose of eerie.
Nonna Lucia – Bluffton’s Haunted Restaurant on Route 46
If you're cruising down Bluffton's scenic Highway 46, you might pass the former Nonna Lucia, once a beloved Italian restaurant—and now one of the town’s most talked-about paranormal locations.
After strange illnesses and unexplained disturbances, the owners appeared on Travel Channel’s The Dead Files, where a psychic medium confirmed a dark presence lurking inside. The story gained national attention, and while the restaurant ultimately closed after water damage and mounting troubles, the tale of the ghostly entity remains very much alive.
Want more? Search “Nonna Lucia Dead Files Bluffton” and prepare to be spooked.
Ghost story + good pasta = Peak Bluffton.
Hilton Head Island: Gullah Spirits, Haints & the Blue Lady
Sure, you know about golf and sea turtles, but beneath the live oaks and Spanish moss lies a tapestry of Gullah Geechee culture—with spice, spirits, and stories that echo West African heritage.
Gullah Ghosts and Island Lore
The Gullah Geechee people, descendants of West Africans enslaved on Sea Island plantations, preserved a powerful oral tradition of ghost stories and supernatural beliefs—many still whispered across Hilton Head today.
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Haints are restless spirits who roam the Lowcountry night. Gullah communities paint their porch ceilings “haint blue” to trick these spirits into thinking they're looking at the sky or water—two things haints won’t cross.
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Boo hags are terrifying Gullah legends: skinless, vampire-like witches who slip through cracks in doors and ride their sleeping victims to steal their breath. Salt at your doorstep or cayenne in the corners may keep them away.
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Stories of flying Africans, linked to African spiritual beliefs and the story of Igbo Landing, echo the themes of escape, ancestral power, and the spirit world deeply ingrained in Gullah folklore.
Hilton Head Haunts with a Gullah Twist
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Zion Cemetery & Baynard Mausoleum: During storytelling tours each fall, local legends like Lydia Davant, Cap’n Jack Stoney, and even the Blue Lady come to life. These ghost stories blend Gullah tradition with colonial Hilton Head history.
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Leamington Lighthouse: Still whispered about today, the spirit of Caroline Fraser—the Blue Lady—is said to walk the dunes at dusk in a flowing dress, mourning her lost love.
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Spanish Wells: Local reports of strange lights and eerie sounds add to the mystery, especially near sites tied to Gullah communities and former plantations.
Beaufort: A Tapestry of History, Haunts & Heroes
Far more than moss-draped mansions and scenic marshes, Beaufort is a living chronicle—from Spanish explorers to Revolutionary patriots, through Civil War drama and the resilience of enslaved people. Over centuries, these layers have forged legends, ghosts, and folklore that still echo beneath the Spanish moss.
Spanish Beginnings & Colonial Legends
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Beaufort traces its roots to Santa Elena, England’s first mainland colony in the 1560s—though its exact location remains debated. Stories abound of early settlers disappearing into the marsh and phantom voices riding the tides.
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The city’s waterfront, once dubbed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” is home to legends of shipwrecks and ghostly sailors lost in the fog.
Revolution & Early American Strife
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During the Revolutionary War, Robert Gibbes Barnwell—a teenage Beaufort patriot—survived musket wounds and British imprisonment.
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Just outside town, the haunting Old Sheldon Church Ruins—burned during both the Revolutionary War and Civil War—carry whispers of sorrow. Visitors report seeing Ann Bull Heyward, a grieving mother in colonial dress, wandering among the headstones. Others have seen flashes of light, felt phantom footsteps, or sensed overwhelming sadness among the oaks.
Civil War Shadows & Reconstruction Spirits
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The Castle on Craven Street served as a Union hospital in 1863. Today, it’s said to be haunted by wounded soldiers, a nurse in white, and even a mischievous ghost jester.
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The infamous Land’s End Light—a glowing orb seen on St. Helena Island—is believed to be the spirit of a Confederate soldier (or runaway slave), beheaded during the war. He’s still searching, lantern in hand.
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Hero and trailblazer Robert Smalls, born enslaved in Beaufort, commandeered a Confederate ship to freedom. His legacy still resonates—locals say his former home on Prince Street carries his indomitable spirit.
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Nearby Camp Saxton, where the first Black Union regiment was formed, is said to echo with ghostly drumbeats and murmured prayers from Gullah soldiers long gone.
Slavery, Sea Islands & Gullah Resilience
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Enslaved people’s spirits are believed to still walk Beaufort’s marshes—especially near historic plantations and cemeteries.
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Gullah songs, stories, and spiritual traditions remain alive through oral history and folklore—infusing the region with both cultural power and mysterious whispers.
Beaufort’s Haunted Highlights
| Location | Ghostly Tale |
|---|---|
| Castle on Craven St. | Haunted by Civil War soldiers, a ghostly nurse, and a prankster jester. |
| John Mark Verdier House | Cold spots and eerie sadness—locals believe the planter’s son, killed in a duel, still lingers. |
| Old Sheldon Church (Yemassee) | Ghostly woman in brown, flickering lights, and unexplained shadows in one of the South’s most beautiful ruins. |
| Land’s End Road | Phantom lantern light seen floating toward cars—chilling electric charges and an aura of dread often follow. |
| Historic Waterfront | Phantom vessels appear in the fog, echoing the cries of long-lost sailors. |
Savannah: Southern Gothic, Pirates & Bonaventure Secrets
You didn’t think we’d skip Savannah, did you? Known as America’s Most Haunted City, it’s dripping with history, haunted mansions, and now—pirate mystery.
Pirate Folklore & Legends at Bonaventure Cemetery
Nestled among the moss-draped oaks of Bonaventure Cemetery, you’ll find more than elegiac statues and silent prayers—there’s pirate spirit lore, too. During the golden age of piracy, smugglers used the nearby Wilmington River to stash treasure. Rumor has it that bottles of rum would shake or float from crypts, and sometimes a heavy, rum-soaked scent drifts through the trees.
Some tell of a mysterious Phantom Corsair near the Gaston Tomb, leading lost souls toward the river. Walk along the banks at dusk, and you just might spot a ghostly figure in a tricorn hat, peering through the mist.
Gracie, “Little Gracie Watson,” & Statues That Weep
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The beloved statue of Gracie Watson—a little girl who died in 1889—is known to cry tears of blood if trinkets are removed from her grave.
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Some visitors report coins disappearing from her outstretched hand, and others swear they hear her giggle when they turn away.
Other Ghostly Happenings
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The Sorrel-Weed House: Shadows sweep the halls, glass doors slam, and cold spots chill even the bravest.
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The Marshall House: Civil War spirits reportedly linger, with phantom nurses, children’s laughter, and faucets that turn themselves on.
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Colonial Park Cemetery: Savannah’s oldest burial ground is home to Revolutionary War ghosts, plague victims… and yes, even the occasional pirate.
Why These Stories Still Matter
Ghosts or not, the folklore of the Lowcountry connects us to the people and stories who shaped this region. Every shadowed porch and moss-draped oak holds a memory—and whether you believe in spirits or simply love a good tale, these stories keep history alive in the most human of ways.
And if you’re lucky enough to live here (or plan to)? These legends become part of your story too.
Quick Q&A: Search-Friendly & Ghost-Approved
Q: What are the most haunted places in Bluffton, SC?
A: Bluffton is home to several haunted locations including the Heyward House, the Church of the Cross, and the now-closed Nonna Lucia restaurant on Route 46, which was featured on The Dead Files for paranormal activity.
Q: What Gullah ghost stories are told on Hilton Head Island?
A: Gullah folklore includes tales of haints (wandering spirits), boo hags (breath-stealing witches), and flying Africans. Many homes on Hilton Head still have haint blue porch ceilings to ward off evil spirits.
Q: What are the ghost stories at Old Sheldon Church in Yemassee?
A: Old Sheldon Church is said to be haunted by the spirit of Ann Bull Heyward, a grieving mother. Visitors report flickering lights, phantom footsteps, and eerie energy near the graves.
Q: What is the Land’s End Light in Beaufort, SC?
A: The Land’s End Light is a mysterious glowing orb seen on St. Helena Island. It’s believed to be the ghost of a Confederate soldier—or a runaway slave—still searching with a lantern in hand.
Q: Are there pirate ghosts in Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery?
A: Yes! Bonaventure Cemetery is rumored to be haunted by pirate spirits like the Phantom Corsair. Ghostly sightings near the Gaston Tomb and the riverbank often involve a tricorn-hatted figure and the scent of rum.
Q: Who is Little Gracie Watson and why is her grave famous?
A: Gracie Watson died in 1889 and is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery. Her statue is said to cry tears of blood when disturbed. Visitors leave coins or trinkets to avoid bad luck or supernatural encounters.
Q: Are there ghost tours in Hilton Head or Savannah?
A: Yes! Both Hilton Head Island and Savannah offer highly rated ghost tours. Savannah’s tours explore Bonaventure Cemetery, Sorrel-Weed House, and Colonial Park. Hilton Head tours often include Gullah legends and historic cemeteries.
Q: What’s the story behind the haint blue porches in the Lowcountry?
A: In Gullah culture, haint blue paint on porch ceilings is believed to protect against spirits. The soft blue color tricks haints into thinking it’s the sky or water, which they cannot cross.
Ready to Start Your Own Lowcountry Chapter?
Whether you’re drawn by the charm, the history, or even the ghost stories, this region has a spirit all its own—pun fully intended.
And if you're thinking of buying or selling a home in Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, or beyond—The Cobb Group, brokered by eXp Luxury Realty, is here to help you write your next chapter (haunted or not).
Reach out to Allison Cobb and the team for expert guidance, local knowledge, and a love for every hidden story the Lowcountry has to offer.
Written by Allison Cobb
The author assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or emissions in the content of this blog. The information provided on is an “as is” basis with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness.
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