Haunted History of The Brentwood Restaurant & Wine Bistro

Origins: From 1910 Victorian Home to Fine Dining Bistro

The building that now houses The Brentwood was originally constructed in 1910 as a Victorian-style home by Clarence McCorsley and Essie Bessent-McCorsley. The couple raised their family there, and after Clarence died in the late 1940s, Essie continued to live in the home, eventually turning it into a bed and breakfast for fishermen and travelers visiting the nearby fishing town of Little River, South Carolina.

When the area began to develop, the property changed hands, but Essie insisted the house be relocated across the highway rather than demolished. The house was moved in the 1970s, and shortly afterward, Essie passed away. Over time, this 100-plus-year-old house evolved, and in 2007, a chef and his wife purchased the property and opened The Brentwood Restaurant & Wine Bistro, blending fine dining with the historic charm of the house.

By the time the modern restaurant opened, the house already had decades of history — family life, a B&B for local fishermen, and the footprint of early 20th-century coastal South Carolina living.

Beginning of the Ghost Stories

From early on in its time as a restaurant, strange happenings began to be reported. Kitchen equipment powered on by itself, items moved unexpectedly, shadows appeared, and odd noises echoed through the building. At first, the owners thought these incidents might be accidents or misperceptions, but over time, they concluded there was more to it. The unusual events persisted even when few people were around.

Curious about the house’s past, the owners began to wonder if the spirits might be former residents — perhaps the McCorsley family, or others who had stayed at the bed & breakfast decades before.

The Haunted Legends: Who (or What) Lurks in the House

Over the years, multiple rumors, eyewitness reports, and paranormal investigations have contributed to the haunted lore around Brentwood. Key “characters” in its haunted history include:

1. The Shadow Figure — Often seen around the stairwell and upstairs dining room, appearing as a dark blur or fast-moving shadow.
2. A Civil War-Era Soldier — Some believe a spirit connected to flooring wood sourced from a Civil War-era cotton mill haunts the building. He is reportedly seen “parading” in front of a back-room window.
3. A Mischievous Young Boy — Known to “like shiny objects,” he is said to snatch items like earrings from patrons, sometimes returning them later.
4. A Woman in Victorian Clothes (Possibly Essie Bessent-McCorsley) — Often manifests as a face seen in an upstairs window or as a ghostly presence heard sighing near upstairs bathrooms.
5. Orbs, Floating Lights & Disembodied Voices — Guests, staff, and paranormal investigators report mysterious orbs in photos, whispers from empty rooms, and an eerie sense of presence on the second floor.

These stories come from many different people across different time periods, creating a multi-layered mythology around the restaurant.

Paranormal Investigations & Public Embrace

As the stories grew, the owners embraced them, making haunted history part of the restaurant’s identity. Paranormal investigation teams reportedly recorded significant activity, including objects moving on their own, shadowy apparitions, and strange noises.

The restaurant has hosted “Ghost Dinners & Tours,” allowing patrons to dine while experiencing guided ghost-hunting activities. This spooky reputation has helped the Brentwood earn recognition as a haunted destination in South Carolina and beyond.

Despite the paranormal tales, many patrons describe the atmosphere as eerie but compelling, even protective rather than hostile.

Haunted Tales Through the Years

Some of the most frequently reported events include:

1. Kitchen equipment turning on by itself
2. Glasses and objects shattering mysteriously
3. Ghostly child stealing and returning small objects
4. Shadowy apparitions on upper floors
5. Digital anomalies — orbs and mist in photographs
6. Disembodied voices and footsteps
7. Doors locking or bathrooms becoming temporarily inaccessible

While these stories vary in detail, the consistency over time reinforces the haunted reputation of the restaurant.

Why So Many Ghosts? Theories and Speculation

Several factors may explain the high concentration of reported paranormal activity:

1. Old age and layered history — With more than a century of use, the building has hosted many lives and events, leaving behind residual energy or unresolved stories.
2. Materials with history — The flooring wood from a Civil War-era cotton mill could contribute to the legend of a soldier’s spirit.
3. Paranormal curiosity and confirmation bias — Once the haunted reputation took hold, even ordinary occurrences might be interpreted as supernatural.
4. Intentional embrace of spooky atmosphere — The restaurant leverages its haunted identity to attract guests, further reinforcing the stories over time.

Cultural Impact & Reputation

Today, The Brentwood is considered a haunted landmark of the Grand Strand region. It draws locals, tourists, and paranormal enthusiasts alike. The restaurant offers Ghost Tour & Dinner packages, providing diners with an immersive experience of both history and legend.

The combination of fine dining, historic ambiance, and ghostly lore makes The Brentwood a unique destination for those seeking a taste of the past — and perhaps a brush with the supernatural.

Skepticism & Caution

Not everyone believes the stories. Some possible explanations for the reported phenomena include:

1. Normal quirks of an old house — creaking floors, shifting foundations, and faulty wiring.
2. Confirmation bias — Expecting to see ghosts can make ordinary events seem paranormal.
3. Lack of scientific evidence — Reports are largely anecdotal and photographic anomalies, not verifiable proof.
4. Stories shaped by fear or rumor — Past staff sometimes quit due to unease, which may amplify the tales.

What It’s Like Now: Dining Among Ghosts

Visitors to The Brentwood experience:

1. Excellent food — Lowcountry-inspired French cuisine, seafood, and chef-driven specialties.
2. Historic ambiance — Victorian-era architecture, old wood floors, wraparound porches, and vintage charm.
3. Haunted atmosphere — Dim lighting, creaky stairs, and stories that turn ordinary occurrences into ghostly encounters.
4. Storytelling & lore — Ghost stories enrich the dining experience, adding an element of suspense and fascination.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, dining at The Brentwood feels like stepping back in time, with the past lingering just beyond sight.

Why The Legend Persists

1. Deep history + layered usage = fertile ground for legend
2. Community and storytelling reinforce each other
3. The restaurant leans into its haunted identity
4. Uncertainty keeps it alive

Every visitor, every creaking floorboard, and every photograph adds to the continuing story of The Brentwood — a place where history and legend intermingle seamlessly.