North Myrtle Beach South Carolina

North Myrtle

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Myrtle Beach. The very name elicits images of pristine golf courses, sparkling bodies of water, and luscious white sand. It's no wonder that the readers of Southern Living Magazine named the city their favorite beach in 1999, or that AAA heralded it as the second most popular travel destination that same year. But what is the history behind the area popularly known as the Grand Strand? The Native Americans who originally inhabited the area called it "Chicora," which means, "the land."

The portion of the area known as Georgetown became the hub of the nation's rice industry in the 18th century. The indigo, cotton, and lumber sectors also played a role in Georgetown's booming economy. Unfortunately, that economy was fueled by slavery. When the slaves were freed in the 1860s, the area's rice plantation operations virtually disappeared. For a view of Georgetown's colorful past, you might consider visits to the Hopsewee and other old-style plantations, Georgetown's Rice Museum, and Brookgreen Gardens.

Prior to the Civil War, Pawleys Island became one of the first resort areas on the Eastern seaboard. If you venture to the island, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the old cottages, inns, and other structures which still stand on the site. At the turn of the century, a company known as Burroughs & Collins built a railroad to the beach, helping to put the Grand Strand on the map, as far as tourist trade was concerned. The area's first hotel, the Seaside Inn, opened shortly thereafter. Ironically, the wife of the company's founder, Mrs. F.E. Burroughs, both hosted and won a competition to name the city, and Myrtle Beach was born.

Pine Lakes International Country Club holds the distinction of being Myrtle Beach's first golf club. It was also the birthplace of the legendary magazine known as Sports Illustrated. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel arrived on the scene, destroying much of the Strand's development. But new, bigger hotels and houses rose from the ruins and, by the 1960s, the Strand was becoming a golfing mecca. Today, the community continues to evolve, with millions of vacationers visiting each year and thousands of people re-settling in Myrtle Beach. Whether you're examining the area's past or contemplating its future, it's clear that Myrtle Beach represents one of the nation's premiere resort destinations--an example of how natural beauty and human ingenuity can combine to create a little slice of paradise for visitors and residents alike.