LIVE BEACH WEBCAMS OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach—two neighboring coastal communities along the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina—share a rich and dynamic history shaped by Native American heritage, colonial settlement, post-Civil War development, and 20th-century tourism growth. While Myrtle Beach became a nationally known vacation hub, Surfside Beach cultivated a quieter, family-oriented identity.

 

EARLY HISTORY (PRE-1800s)

Native American Presence

The Grand Strand area, including what would become Myrtle and Surfside Beaches, was originally home to the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes.

 

These indigenous peoples lived off the land and water, fishing and farming in the lush coastal environment.

 

Colonial & Post-Colonial Era

European settlers arrived in the 1600s–1700s, with English colonists claiming land along the coast.

 

The area remained sparsely populated due to its remote, swampy, and difficult-to-reach nature.

 

By the late 1700s, the region was used mainly for timber, turpentine, and rice plantations.

 

THE EARLY COASTAL ERA (1800s–1900s)

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Logging and Hunting

Much of the area that is now Myrtle Beach and Surfside was covered by dense forest and used for logging and game hunting.

 

The area was referred to as "New Town", with "Old Town" referring to nearby Conway.

 

Railroad Brings Change (Early 1900s)

In the early 1900s, the Burroughs & Collins Company (later Burroughs & Chapin) built the Conway & Seashore Railroad to transport timber and tourists to the beach.

 

The name Myrtle Beach was chosen in 1907, inspired by the native wax myrtle bushes.

 

MYRTLE BEACH: FROM QUIET SHORE TO TOURIST GIANT

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Resort Development Begins

The Seaside Inn, the first hotel, was built in 1901, and the city was officially incorporated in 1938.

 

With the rise of cars and highways in the 1940s–50s, Myrtle Beach grew rapidly as a vacation destination.

 

1950s–1970s Boom

Myrtle Beach became a center for music and nightlife, including beach music and the birth of shag dancing.

 

Development of golf courses, amusement parks, shopping outlets, and Boardwalk attractions flourished.

 

The area began to attract millions of annual visitors, especially from the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic.

 

Today

Myrtle Beach is one of the top beach destinations in the U.S., known for:

• The SkyWheel

• Over 90 golf courses

• Broadway at the Beach

• The Carolina Country Music Festival

 

A blend of entertainment, beaches, and Southern charm

 

SURFSIDE BEACH: "THE FAMILY BEACH"

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Early Identity

Surfside Beach’s land was originally part of the Ark Plantation, dating back to the 1800s.

 

A devastating hurricane in 1893 destroyed much of the settlement, and the area remained quiet for decades.

 

Post-War Development

Surfside Beach began developing residentially in the 1950s, with beach cottages replacing forest and farmland.

 

It was incorporated as a town in 1964, adopting the nickname “The Family Beach.”

 

Community Focus

Surfside has emphasized zoning for families, beach access, and small-town charm.

Known for:

• Quiet beaches

• Fishing pier

• Locally owned restaurants

• Community events like farmers markets and parades

 

CHALLENGES & RESILIENCE

Both towns have faced natural challenges like Hurricane Hazel (1954) and Hurricane Hugo (1989), each leaving significant damage.

 

In 2009, Surfside Beach became one of the first in the country to ban smoking on its beach—a testament to its clean, family-friendly vision.