Recommended Reading:
Two books by local author Susan Hoffer McMillan. These present a wide historical view of Myrtle Beach and other Grand Strand beaches, as well as the surrounding area. Through hundreds of excellent-quality postcards and photos, they tell the story of the beach, with detailed information about each picture. Follow the very early establishment of Myrtle Beach, from the original Seaside Inn, the first "original" Pavilion on the beach, the rides, motels, and restaurants that made up this growing and changing resort. Many of the interesting and impressive landmarks listed here no longer exist.
Both "Myrtle Beach and Conway in Vintage Postcards", and "Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand" are published by Arcadia Publishing, and are part of their "Images of America" and "Postcard History" series which cover many parts of the country.
The latest book in this series is "Then & Now: Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand" which takes a look at historical pictures of Myrtle Beach and other Grand Strand sites, and compares it to what the same location looks like today. This is an interesting study of the evolution of Myrtle Beach from small rooming-house motels, to ever-larger motels over the years, to the huge beachfront condo developments there today. Work on this book included a helicopter fly-over of the entire Grand Strand region, in order to recreate the views of many old vintage postcards and pictures.
In 1999, Charleston reporter Will Moredock spent an entire year living in Myrtle Beach, and this is the chronicle of his experiences. Its full of history, information, problems and controversies, as well as the mystery and allure that draws millions of people to the beach each year. It covers the contradictions between this small, conservative southern town, and the no-holds-barred party fantasy-land that it becomes every summer, along with the politics, corruption, pollution, violence, and social problems that the area endures but that the tourists rarely see.
Susan McMillan and Will Moredock at the Italian Fair, Broadway At the Beach, Sept. 8, 2007.
Other Links:
- Greek Boy - Memoir by Myrtle Beach resident Dino Thompson, owner of Cagney's and the Flamingo Grill. It tells the story of a young boy growing up in Myrtle Beach, whose parents ran the Kozy Korner restaurant in the downtown business district, in the shadow of the Pavilion and amusement park.
Swimming - Movie released in 2000, about a local Myrtle Beach girl who works in her family's restaurant, who encounters trouble when new arrivals in town drive a wedge between her and her best friend. Starring Lauren Ambrose (from HBO's Six Feet Under), it was filmed in downtown Myrtle Beach. IMDB: Swimming, 2000
- Horry County Historical Society - Active local group with meetings and much historical information and resources.
- History of Horry County - Resources on the Horry County Government webpage
- Horry County Memorial Library - Located beside Chapin Park along Highway 17
- Funbeaches.com - Lots of Myrtle Beach links, also a very active message forum about many Myrtle Beach topics.
- ListenUp MB - Music, events and more in the Grand Strand
- Shagdance.com - Official site of Society of Stranders (SOS) and the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC). Centered around Ocean Drive, these clubs promote shag dancing events with large yearly get-togethers.
- OD Pavilion Social & Shag Club
- Myrtle Beach Memories - Lots of 1960s era pics
- Myrtle Beach Photos
- The Sun News - online edition. A great way to keep up with local Myrtle Beach news.
- The North Myrtle Beach Times - online edition. North Myrtle Beach news.
- North Myrtle Beach Online - Community news/info site
- Greetings From the Coast - Postcard images from coastal amusement parks, including Myrtle Beach and SC. These are made into nice blown-up pictures and printed on a variety of items.
- Geocaching - the modern technological equivalent of a treasure hunt, using hand-held GPS systems. There are thousands of such treasure chests located worldwide, and many of them are in the located in the Myrtle Beach area. A related activity is Waymarking, which is about cataloging and visiting interesting locations around the world-- similar to geocaching, except that the location itself is the "treasure".
- The Weekly Surge - Myrtle Beach's free alternative entertainment, news, and alternative lifestyle information