The Myrtle Beach Area

The Strand, as the Myrtle Beach area is commonly called, stretches 60 miles along the South Carolina Coast.

In the early 18th century the Myrtle Beach area – then known as Long Bay – was inhabited by the Waccamaw Indians, in the late 18th century the Europeans arrived. In 1899, Collins and Burroughs received a charter to build the Conway & Seashore Railroad, which began service in 1900. Railroad workers spent their off time at the beach, becoming the area’s first tourists. The beach was then called “New Town”, Conway was called the “Old Town”.

In 1900, a contest was held to rename the town. In homage to the wax myrtle bushes, Addie Burroughs offered the name of Myrtle Beach. The name stuck, and Myrtle Beach became an official town in 1938. Myrtle Beach became a city in 1957. The town grew gradually from a farming community into a beach destination. A golf course and the grand Ocean Forest Hotel were instrumental in developing the area’s tourism culture. The Ocean Forest Hotel was built in 1930 and covered 13 acres of oceanfront land, offering the first upscale accommodations in the Myrtle Beach area. Today Myrtle Beach and its surrounding areas include over 60 miles of sandy white beaches – also known as the Grand Strand, broken down into sections called South Strand, central Myrtle Beach, and the North Strand.

Myrtle Beach is in the heart of everything and centrally located on the Grand Strand. Broadway at the Beach, Family Kingdom, Oceanfront Boardwalk, Hollywood Wax Museum, Sky Wheel, numerous miniature golf, and The Market Commons are just a few of the exiting places.

North Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for golfer. Barefoot Landing, the Alabama Theatre, the OD Pavilion and many other hot spots. Atlantic Beach, Crescent Beach, Cherry Grove, and Little River are also included in the North Strand area.

The South Strand includes Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, and Murrells Inlet. The area is home to dozens of beach homes and private condos. Surfside Beach is known as “the family beach”. It offers water parks, a pier and miles of beach.

Litchfield and Pawley’s Island are located at the south end of the Grand Strand. These quiet spots offer private communities and many local establishments, golf courses, and so much more!

The Myrtle Beach area has plenty of things to do – shopping fishing, sightseeing, going to a show, awesome amusement parks, and pulse-racing water park. There are approx. 30,000 permanent residents. Many people looking to retire have decided to make the Myrtle Beach area home – a great place to live!