The Beginnings
Have you ever wondered how Myrtle Beach got its name? Before Myrtle Beach was Myrtle Beach, the area had no formal name, with some referring to it as “Withers”, after the Withers family, or “New Town”. After driving out the indigenous peoples of “Long Bay” the Withers family was granted 66,000 acres of land by the king of England around 1881, making up modern-day Horry County and Georgetown County. Later came the Withers post office in 1888. Eventually the land was purchased by the Burroughs and Collins Company, a timber company out of Conway, South Carolina, from the Withers family.
Becoming Myrtle Beach
Before the 1900’s, the land was almost completely uninhabited. In 1901, the Burroughs and Collins Company build the area’s very first hotel, Seaside Inn. During this time, beach front lots were selling for about $25, just under $1,000 today adjusted for inflation. Also, around this time, the area saw steady growth in population, with most of the population being employees for the Burroughs and Collins Company. Due to the small boom, the company held a naming contest for the area sponsored by a local publication. At this gathering the name “Myrtle Beach”, submitted by the widow of the company’s founder Addie Burroughs, was chosen as the winner. The name was inspired by the Wax Myrtle shrubs that grew all over the town and coastline. These shrubs were used to make soaps and candles. Eventually the “Myrtle Beach” post office was established.
Present Day
Myrtle Beach became a town in the year 1938, and a city in the year 1957. Myrtle Beach now sees millions of visitors from all over the country and world and has been experiencing a major population boom for the past few years. The area is affectionately referred to as the “Grand Strand” by locals, and “Dirty Myrtle” by visitors. Today, Myrtle Beach is known for its pristine beaches, many tourist attractions, shopping, and restaurants. The more you know!