History of Myrtle Beach

The French and Spanish were the first to occupy the region in the 16th century, while it was the British who became dominant in the 17th century. Just a stone’s throw from plantation country, Myrtle Beach benefited from these nearby tobacco and cotton farms, which attracted the wealthy and their slaves.

Slavery and political conflict

The South had long been a supporter of slavery, with one third of all African slaves passing through Charleston’s port, just south of Myrtle Beach. As sentiment against slavery began to spread in the northern states, political tension between South Carolina and other states heightened.

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 lead to the secession of South Carolina, a move that was followed by 10 more Southern states. This political divide was the igniting factor in the Civil War that followed between the Confederate States of America and Union troops.  

From 1861 to 1865, the South was ravaged by the Civil War, which came to an end when the Confederacy surrendered at Appomattox. The reconstruction of the South was lengthy, with much of the male population dead and the region’s wealth lost.

Emergence of equality

Only after the Civil War were blacks granted the right to vote and stand for government offices. However, some racist white leaders continued to try and suppress black rights through segregation laws and Ku Klux Klan intimidation.

In the 1950s, the civil rights movement saw non-violent black protestors take to the streets. The result was a breakdown of segregation and the restoration of black rights, having a profound effect on life in Myrtle Beach.

Modern times

Myrtle Beach has developed into a popular coastal holiday resort, with its year-round mild weather and man-made attractions ensuring the tourist industry here continues to boom.

This central area lies right on the Atlantic Coast and offers miles of sandy beaches. The beach has been a popular tourist destination for more than 100 years and over this time it has developed from a small settlement into a town, later receiving city status in 1957. The coast is sprawling with high-rise hotels, eateries and entertainment and it is the most popular stretch of beach in the area for tourists to stay at.