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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
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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