Since it’s Friday the 13 th , we wanted to share a few tall tales from The Beach that are a little spooky, very unlucky, and all around jinxed. These stories have been passed down by storyteller to storyteller, and it’s time we passed them on to you. First, we have the sad ghost story of Alice Flagg. In the mid-1800s, Alice fell in love with a lumberman, however, Alice’s brother rejected him because of his low economic status. Even though her brother disapproved, she continued to keep her love a secret, and the lumberman proposed. Alice soon…

The Myrtle Beach area we all love was built on a strong foundation of southern hospitality, good cooking, and laid-back living. Hopsewee Plantation is a piece of Grand Strand history that still stands to tell the story of our area. Located near Georgetown, SC, on the Santee River, the Hopsewee house was built in 1735 and served as a rice plantation. Hopsewee Plantation is known as the birthplace of Thomas Lynch, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence and an influential Patriot, representing the people of South Carolina at the time.…

Atlantic Beach may be small – only 4 blocks to be exact – but it still has a mighty history in the story of Myrtle Beach. In the early 1930s, Atlantic Beach was formed as a vacation spot for black families to visit and black-owned businesses to thrive. Many of the current residents are descendants of the Gullah Geechee people, who were former slaves from the West Coast of Africa. Atlantic Beach is between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach and has always been named the “Black Pearl.” Today, the town is working hard to preserve its history and…

We all know that Myrtle Beach is known for, well, The Beach. But what you may not know is that Myrtle Beach – and the entire Grand Strand – is home to a diverse arts & culture scene that has stemmed from our roots in Lowcountry history, beautiful scenery, and collection of people from all over the world. We rounded up some arts & cultural spots along the Grand Strand for you to check out, and maybe even get inspired, during your beach vacation. Find more information on specific events and details on our website. Myrtle Beach History Tours –…

Juneteenth is a national holiday that marks the liberation of slaves after the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, U.S. Army Major General Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston, Texas, to announce the Civil War was over and that slavery had ended. At that time, many African Americans were unaware that Congress had passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and that Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. Major General Granger’s announcement helped spread this momentous declaration in history throughout the most rural parts…

You may not know that Myrtle Beach is known for more than our beaches and attractions – but also for classic, southern restaurants that have stood the test of time. These restaurants help tell the story of Myrtle Beach – where the Grand Strand has come from and where we are going. We’ve rounded up some of restaurants that are nostalgic and quintessentially “Myrtle Beach.” The Sea Captain’s House The Sea Captain’s House was built in 1930 and first used as an oceanfront home, then a hotel. In 1962, the house was converted into a restaurant that…

The very essence of the things we love about The Beach is due in part to the African American History of this area. The Grand Strand has been greatly influenced by its African American heritage and roots that date back to the 1700s – and is still shaping the region today as a major tourism destination. From what we eat to how we speak in the present day, so much of that can be traced back to the African History in the region. There are several locations beyond the beach that visitors can experience that tell this story. We’ll start with the…

Each Black History Month, we’re offered the opportunity to further our understanding of the Black American experience. February provides a dedicated time to look back on our past, and recognize the immense struggles and contributions of all African Americans. Here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, our history is as complex and unique as many other parts of the nation, and this month we’d like to shine a spotlight on one particularly significant bit of local Black history — Charlie’s Place. Charlie’s Place was a popular African American…

The popular, two-hour, Myrtle Beach history trolley tours that sold out each week last winter will return September 22nd in a socially distanced form. Up to only 16 guests, wearing required masks will board the trolley each Tuesday at 10 a.m. in front of the Grand 14 Cinemas at The Market Common for the Myrtle Beach History, Movies & Music tour. On Wednesdays, at the same time and place, they will take the Early Myrtle Beach & The War Years tour. The Myrtle Beach Military History tour and catered reception returns for its fourth season on…

Brookgreen Gardens is a Grand Strand masterpiece on any day, but now, it’s especially exciting to visit as they are hosting an amazing art exhibit by internationally known artist Bruce Munro. Munro’s Southern Light exhibit opened on May 15 and it will run through September 12, 2020. I had the opportunity to visit Brookgreen and view the exhibit in mid-May, and I was blown away. The evening began with us watching a recorded Zoom call between Brookgreen’s marketing manager, Lauren Joseph, and Bruce Munro himself. He was supposed to be in…