Discover the Most Haunting Urban Legend in South Carolina

If I’m sure of anything, it’s that humans love two things: a good story and a fascination with the afterlife. Urban legends, ghost stories, and paranormal activity are a chapter in every state’s story. Some are cautionary tales, some are bone-chilling, and some are just downright demonic. From Bigfoot to the Crybaby Bridge, South Carolina’s urban legends really cover a wide range. The legend of Julia Legare is perhaps the best urban legend in South Carolina, as it tugs at heartstrings and evokes a fear many of us share: the fear of being buried alive. 

Edisto Beach has long been a favorite vacation destination. For over a century, people have been flocking to the area to enjoy the fresh air, Spanish moss, and waterfront landscape. 

One such visitor was Julie Legare, who came to the island in the mid-1800s to visit family. Unfortunately, during her stay, she became ill with diphtheria and slipped into a coma. Her family hoped that she would wake up, but she never did and died shortly after. She was 22 years old. 

Back then, funerals happened quickly. It wasn’t a common practice to treat the deceased with embalming fluids to preserve the body, so when someone passed away, funeral arrangements were often held the same day or the very next day. This was the case with Julia, who was buried the same day of her death. 

Her body was placed in the family’s mausoleum at the Edisto Island Presbyterian Church’s graveyard.  She was buried in her favorite dress, and her family had a loving funeral for her and paid their respects. 

I don’t think you ever truly get over the death of a child, but Julia’s family tried their best to continue with their lives. That is, until 15 years later, when another death in the family occurred. They held the funeral at the same church, and the deceased family member was placed in the same family mausoleum as Julia.

When they opened the mausoleum, they realized they had made a tragic mistake. Julia’s remains were not where they had placed them—they were crumpled at the foot of the mausoleum’s door. Poor Julia had been buried alive. 

So what happened? Well, we may never know for certain, but it’s believed that her heart rate had dropped so low that the physician couldn’t detect it, which is why she was declared dead. But she was never dead, just in a coma. 

This led to the horrific realization that Julia woke up in her own tomb and was unable to escape. Imagine waking up in your own grave, next to your other deceased relatives, and not being able to escape. This poor woman had to wait in a dark, damp crypt for her actual death.

Her remains were entombed again, and the door to the mausoleum was closed and sealed. Not long after, family members returned to the cemetery to pay their respects and noticed that the door was open. They didn’t think anything of it; they just shut the door and continued on. 

A few weeks later, a clergyman at the church noticed that the door was open and closed it again. This would be a recurring event that spanned decades. Every time they closed the door, it would mysteriously open again. They tried everything they could think of to keep the door shut, including chains and locks, but it would always open on its own. In a final act of desperation, a door was installed on the mausoleum that could only be removed with industrial heavy machinery. Not only did the door open again, but it was completely unhinged from the frame. At that point, everyone agreed that this was a losing battle and decided to keep the door open. To this day, the door remains open, probably much to the delight of Julia’s spirit. 

Many believe Julia’s spirit is finally at rest, though the heavy feelings around the mausoleum are palpable. She may continue to guard the mausoleum, and seems to be a pleasant entity… just don’t close the door. 

Have you heard the story of Julia Legare before? Do you think it's the best urban legend in South Carolina? Or do you prefer the tragic love story of Alice Flagg? 

Visitors can still visit the church and the cemetery and see the mausoleum. The address of the tomb is: 2164 South Carolina Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438. Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.