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LOCAL COMMUNITIES &
GOVERNMENTS
Horry County |
Georgetown County |
Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach |
Surfside Beach | Little
River |
Atlantic Beach
Garden City Beach |
Loris |
Conway
| Aynor |
Murrells Inlet
Litchfield Beach | Pawleys Island |
Cherry Grove
List of Federal, State & Local
Public Officials
The Grand Strand, as the Myrtle Beach
area is commonly called, stretches for 60 miles
along the South Carolina coast and encompasses many
communities – each with its own identity and unique
qualities. These are some of the major communities
comprising the Grand Strand:
Myrtle Beach
Families began vacationing in Myrtle
Beach (originally called New Town) more than a
century ago, making their way from inland locales by
horse and buggy, then ferrying over the Waccamaw
River to reach the undeveloped coast. Oceanfront
development began in the early 1900s. Myrtle Beach
became a town in 1938 and a city in 1957. Myrtle
Beach has a population of nearly 23,000 and is the
largest and most developed community of the Grand
Strand, with hundreds of hotels, restaurants,
attractions, retail stores, and other businesses.
Contact the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,
1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; (843)
626-7444 or (800) 356-3016.
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Aynor
Affectionately called the Little
Golden Town, Aynor is
located in western Horry County and has close to 600
residents. The town got its start in the early 1900s
as a terminus for a railroad from Conway and was
incorporated in 1913. In the early days, Aynor had a
bustling tobacco market as well as a brickyard,
cotton gin, and several mills. Each September, the
town hosts the Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival, with
crafts, food booths, music, dancing, and more.
Contact the Aynor Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 9,
Aynor, SC 29511; (843) 358-4808.
Conway
Tree-lined streets, historic homes
and churches, a revitalized business district, and
the wondrous Waccamaw River are attributes of
Conway, the seat of
government for Horry County. Incorporated in 1898,
Conway is home to nearly 12,000 people, a number
that continues to grow as more people discover this
charming city and the lifestyle it affords. Conway
has much to offer visitors as well, including
walking tours, riverboat cruises, antique shops,
restaurants and cafes, the Horry County Museum, and
numerous historic landmarks. Contact the Conway Area
Chamber of Commerce, 203 Main St., Conway, SC 29526;
(843) 248-2273;
www.conwaysc.org
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Little River
One of the area’s earliest coastal
settlements, Little River
lies a short distance from the ocean along the
Intracoastal Waterway, just below the North Carolina
border. It was a popular harbor for pirates in the
1700s and Civil War blockade-runners in the 1800s.
Today, Little River (population about 7,000) has a
thriving charter boat and commercial fishing
industry. Little River’s most popular event is the
Blue Crab Festival, held each May. Arts and crafts,
entertainment, and educational exhibits are featured
alongside booths offering a variety of delicious
foods – including crab cakes, steamed crabs, and
other blue crab creations. Contact the Little River
Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 400, Little River, SC
29566; (843) 249-6604;
www.littleriverchamber.net.
Loris
Located 35 miles northwest of Myrtle
Beach, Loris has a population of nearly 2,100 and is
one of the fastest-growing cities in South Carolina.
The annual Loris Bog-Off, a festival and chicken bog
cooking contest, draws huge crowds each year. (A
local specialty, chicken bog is made with chicken,
rice, sausage, and assorted seasonings.) Loris was
incorporated as a town in 1902 and is known for its
friendly, small-town atmosphere. Contact the Loris
Chamber of Commerce, 4242 Main St., Loris, SC 29569;
(843) 756-6030;
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North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach was founded more
than 30 years ago when the communities of
Windy Hill,
Crescent Beach,
Ocean Drive, and
Cherry Grove
united. Each of these communities has its own
appeal, as witnessed by generations of vacationers
who return to one locale year after year. North
Myrtle Beach’s accommodations include everything
from rustic beach cottages and mom-and-pop motels to
luxury resorts. The city has nearly 11,000 residents
and is also home to many
fine restaurants and family amusements. Of
course, you can’t describe North Myrtle Beach
without mentioning the shag, a dance that originated
here and continues to thrive in local dance clubs
and at annual shag reunions. Contact the North
Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, 270 U.S. 17 N.,
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582; (877) 332-2662;
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Surfside Beach/Garden City
Beach
These South Strand communities have
been family favorites for generations.
Surfside Beach, in
fact, proudly calls itself "the family beach."
Incorporated as a town in 1964, Surfside Beach
(population 4,425) is an active residential
community and thriving vacation destination. Along
its lovely beachfront, you’ll find beach houses,
hotels, condominiums, and a popular fishing pier. To
the south is Garden
City Beach (population 9,000-plus), an
unincorporated community that straddles Horry and
Georgetown counties and ends on a peninsula at the
mouth of Murrells Inlet. The majority of Garden
City’s vacationers stay in beach houses, with condos
coming in a close second. With access to the ocean
and inlet,
Garden City Beach
is a hot spot for fishing, crabbing, and other water
sports. The community has a fishing pier, marina,
amusements, restaurants, and other businesses.
Contact the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,
1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; (843)
626-7444 or (800) 356-3016;
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Murrells Inlet, Litchfield
Beach, Atlantic Beach & Pawleys Island
The pace is just a little slower in
these South Strand communities.
Murrells Inlet,
once the lair of the infamous pirate Blackbeard, is
known as "the Seafood Capital of South Carolina,"
earning its title from the fresh fish, clams,
oysters, and crabs pulled from the surrounding
waters and prepared in the numerous
restaurants
nestled along the creek banks. A 1,400-foot
boardwalk, aptly called The Marshwalk, winds through
the wetlands, offering stunning vistas and glimpses
of wildlife and waterfowl.
Litchfield Beach boasts quaint shops, delightful
restaurants, quiet beaches, and an uncommon beauty.
Its neighbor,
Pawleys Island,
prides itself on being the oldest resort in America,
once offering a summer respite for plantation owners
and their families. Many of their treasured retreats
still stand today. Contact the Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce, 3401 U.S. 17 Business S.,
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576; (843) 651-1010 or (800)
356-3016.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has
represented the Grand Strand’s business community
for more than 60 years. The chamber serves
Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle
Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River,
Atlantic Beach,
Garden City Beach, Loris,
Conway, Aynor, Murrells
Inlet, Litchfield Beach, and
Pawleys Island. For more
information, call (843) 626-7444, or visit
source - The Myrtle Beach Chamber of
Commerce
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