Why Is It Called Myrtle Beach?
You’ve considered the reasons to visit Myrtle Beach and it’s decided: you’re booking your next trip. Whether you plan to relax on the beach with a great book, wake up early and hit the pier for some fishing, or stroll our boardwalks, you’re in for an absolute treat.
If you fancy yourself a history buff, you might find a quick history lesson will enrich your Myrtle Beach vacation. Why is it called Myrtle Beach and how did this beautiful coastal town come to be?
We’re here to give you the scoop on Myrtle Beach’s origins, from colonization to naming and beyond. Read on to discover the history of Myrtle Beach.
Who First Lived in Myrtle Beach?
Long before Europeans crossed the Atlantic and began to explore the region that is now known as Myrtle Beach, the Waccamaw Siouan Indians lived along the South Carolina coast. In some of the earliest written records of the Waccamaw Indians, they were said to live an estimated hundred miles northeast of Charleston, which brings us right to the Myrtle Beach area. The Waccamaw Indians may have been some of the first Native Americans to make contact with Spanish colonizers.
Jumping forward in history, 1749 brought a war between the South Carolina government and the Waccamaw people. Though South Carolina would go on to grant some protections to the Waccamaw Indians, the natives would resettle in the swamp lands of North Carolina.
The Waccamaw language was never recorded and is now considered a lost language. Due to historical proximity and cultural similarities, it seems likely that the Waccamaw language had Siouan roots.
When Did Colonizers Arrive in Myrtle Beach?
Spanish colonizers from Hispaniola were the first non-natives to arrive in Myrtle Beach. According to City of Myrtle Beach records, they landed about fifty miles north of the current city limits of Myrtle Beach in the early 1500s. In 1526, they established a settlement named San Miquel de Guadalupe, approximately 30 miles south of where they initially landed. However, this settlement lasted no longer than a year.
The area we now know as Myrtle Beach didn’t develop as quickly as other regions of the state. In the coming centuries, some colonizers would visit the area for pleasure, but there wasn’t much of a local economy to keep people there year-round.
In fact, we wouldn’t see another true settlement in the area until the mid-1700s, over 200 years after the first colonizers arrived. The building of the King’s Highway, which connected Boston to Charleston, brought English colonizers to the Myrtle Beach area, where some of them would use grants to purchase land. This second settlement started with the arrival of the Withers family.
Who Were the Withers?
According to Myrtle Beach Point of View, Robert Francis Withers was one of the most prominent landowners in all of South Carolina when the King’s Highway was underway. During the land grab that ensued, he secured over 60,000 acres of land.
Members of the Withers family continued to settle this portion of the South Carolina coast, with one branch starting an indigo plantation that overlooked what still is called Wither’s Swash. (Prior to the Withers family settlement, that same swash was known as Eight Mile Swash.)
By the late 1800s, the town was known simply as “Withers.” This name gained formal recognition in 1888 when a post office named “Withers” was established.
Why Is It Called Myrtle Beach?
By all accounts, Withers did not see significant population growth until after the turn of the twentieth century. It was around this time that more people became aware of the beautiful sites and promising land the South Carolina coast had to offer.
As more than just members of the Withers family came to call the region home, the new residents agreed that it was time for a new name. Possibly as early as 1900, they held a contest.
So, why is it called Myrtle Beach? A local woman suggested they rename the town Myrtle Beach due to the large number of Wax Myrtles growing along the coastline, and that was the winning contest entry.
A Note on Wax Myrtles
You’ll find different types of “myrtles” growing up and down the East Coast. For example, Charleston has some of the oldest Crape Myrtles in the nation.
As the name suggests, Wax Myrtles have a sort of waxy substance on both the leaves and the berries. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, this waxy substance became an integral part of the local economy, used in both candles and soaps.
What Is Myrtle Beach Known for Today?
Now that you know how the Myrtle Beach name’s origin fits into the wider Myrtle Beach history, let’s talk about visiting Myrtle Beach today.
Perhaps one of the most significant features that has long attracted tourists is the clear blue water. While you aren’t guaranteed such dazzling shades of blue every single day, the right conditions can turn Myrtle Beach into our own tropical paradise.
Since 2010, the region also offers an award-winning boardwalk. You can walk the full length in under an hour and arrive at the Promenade, where you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Get the best view of Myrtle Beach from the Skywheel, the first observation wheel in the US.
When you need a break from the sun, you’ll find no shortage of family-friendly entertainment. Catch a show at the Carolina Opry or spend the afternoon exploring WonderWorks. You can learn more about our aquatic life at the Ripley’s Aquarium.
Visit Myrtle Beach and See Our Wax Myrtles Firsthand
Are you getting ready to visit Myrtle Beach? Learning about the local history is a great way to make the most of your trip. Now you can answer the question, “Why is it called Myrtle Beach?” and try your hand at identifying the Wax Myrtles growing along the coast. Mobile Brochure is your one-stop shop for vacation planning. Not only do we offer local tips and guides to the best attractions, but we also provide monthly giveaways and coupons. To get a taste for how we can help you save, take a look at our current Myrtle Beach coupons.
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