During the 1940s, an Air Force base was established in what is now Myrtle Beach. It was originally used for training and coastal patrols during World War II. Definitely not a vacation spot! The base was eventually closed in 1993. The servicemen, wanting fun while not on duty, were happy to see businesses and restaurants being built up around them. The Myrtle Beach Pavilion was built in 1949, and the historic band organ and carousel was installed in 1954. The area was officially incorporated in 1938 and became a city in 1957. Since that time, there has been a great deal of development, and is reflected by the amazing city we see today – drawing millions of vacationers annually.

Myrtle Beach is a major tourist destination along the South Atlantic coast of South Carolina. It is widely known for its wide, beautiful beaches, large selection of challenging golf links, excellent seafood restaurants, and outlet-style shopping activities.

In the early 1900s, the growing community in what is now the City of Myrtle Beach decided it needed a name – so, a contest was held. The widow of Franklin Burroughs, Addie, suggested the name Myrtle Beach in reference to the wax myrtle bushes that grew all over town, and the suggestion won. The rest is history!

MB is (technically) an island.

The completion of the Intracoastal Waterway in 1936 effectively made it a coastal man–made island, according to Catherine Heniford Lewis, author of the 1998 book Horry County, South Carolina

The truth is that the threat of shark attacks in the area waters remains remarkably low. In fact, there have been only about 50 shark attacks total recorded over the past century on local beaches and not a single fatal attack since 1852.

The answer, surprisingly, is South America, according to a new map project by cartographer Andy Woodruff.

The water profile is relatively steep, and water depths are more than 6 m (20 ft) at a distance of 342 m (1125 ft) offshore of the +1 meter contour.

You may picture it as a popular tourist destination, but it’s also just been named as one of the best places to live in the United States. … The relatively low cost of living, its variety of things to do and also its pro-business atmosphere make it an excellent place for young and well-established families alike!

Ripley’s is home to Gabby the green sea turtle and is a great resource for learning more about all of our area’s sea turtles. The second is MB State Park or Huntington Beach State Park, which both often host different turtle education programs and are usually home to a couple of sea turtle nests themselves!