Historical Markers in
Horry County, South Carolina

1943 1948 Myrtle Beach Airport 352nd Tactical Fighter Squadron 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron 354th Fighter Group History 354th Fighter Group History 354th Fighter Group World War II History 354th Tactical Fighter Wing A-7D 354th Wing Inactivation 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron Operations 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron Operations A-10 Thunderbolt II A-7D Corsair Activation of the 354th Fighter Day Wing Airman Dining Hall Archaeological and Historical Data Ark Cemetery Ark Plantation Atlantic Beach Audio Visual Facility Auto Craft Center Avionics Maintenance Base Civil Engineering Complex Base Operations Base Supply Battlefield Cross Benjamin Grier Collins Boundary House Bowling Center Brigadier General James Howell Howard Brigadier General James Howell Howard Brigadier General Joel T. Hall Brigadier General Robert G. Jenkins Brigadier General Robert G. Jenkins Brigadier General Thomas Merrit Knoles III Brigadier General Thomas Merrit Knoles III Brigadier General William Donald Curry Jr. Captain Paul Johnson Captain Stephen Richard Phillis Captain Stephen Richard Phillis Centennial Time Capsule Chapel Chaplain (Major General) Charles C. Baldwin Charlie's Place Chestnut Consolidated School Chief Master Sergeant Gary J. Moser Chief Master Sergeant James Cope Chief Master Sergeant Jimmy E. Davis Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray Coastal Carolina University Cold War - Dominican Republic Colonel Albert R. Neville Colonel Alva "George" Branch Colonel Charles E Cook, Jr. Colonel Charles M. Thrash Colonel Curtis L. Brown Colonel Donald Wesley Forney Colonel Edsel J. "Coupe" DeVille Colonel Edwin A. Schneider Colonel Francis S. Gabreski Colonel Francis S. Gabreski Colonel Franklin Harold Scott Colonel Henry L. Warren Colonel Herbert E. Ross Colonel Joseph R. Nevers Colonel Joseph S. Barton Colonel Michael G. Filliman Colonel Richard (Rick) H. McDow Colonel Robert G. Emmens Colonel Robert Lindsay Petit Colonel Robert P. "Pancho" Pasqualicchio Colonel Thomas C. “Buddy” Styers Colonel Wallace C. Bosworth Jr. Colonel Warren R. Lewis Colonel Warren R. Lewis Colonel William Isaiah Williams Combat Wounded Veterans Command Chief Master Sergeant William D. Forbus Conway High School Crabtree Gymnasium Dental Clinic Desert Storm Dormitory Complex Empty Chair POW MIA Memorial F-100 D/F Super Sabre Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II First Methodist Church Forgotten Warriors Fort Randall Galivants Ferry Galivants Ferry Stump Meeting General Bruce Carlson General Michael P.C. Carns General Michael P.C. Carns General Robert H. Reed General Robert H. Reed General Robert H. Reed George Whitefield Grand Strand Grand Strand Chapter and Unit 354 Green Sea Baptist Church High Water Mark Hurricane Florence Holliday Highway Hoyt L. Hendrick Hurricane Hazel Hurricane Hazel Hurricane Hugo Intra-Coastal Waterway Jack Walker Jack Walker Joe W. Blizzard Justin W. Plyler Boardwalk Park Kingston Church Kingston-Conway / Robert Conway Law Center Levister Elementary School Lieutenant Colonel Anthony "Tony" Shine Lieutenant Colonel Anthony "Tony" Shine Lieutenant Colonel William H. Rutherford Lieutenant General Evan W. Rosencrans Lieutenant General John W. Rosa, Jr. Lieutenant General Joseph J. Redden Lieutenant William Glover Farrow Loris Training School Lt Col Colin Arnold Clarke Lt William J Hook LTV A-7 Corsair II Major General Ervin C. Sharpe, Jr. Major General Ervin C. Sharpe, Jr. Major General Gilbert L. Meyers Major General Gilbert L. Meyers Major General Harold L. Price Major General James Franklin Hackler, Jr. Major General Joseph J. Kruzel Major General Joseph J. Kruzel Marine Amphibious Assault Mayors of Myrtle Beach Mayors of Surfside Beach Merchant Marine Monument Military Aircraft Nose Art Morris Island Lighthouse Movie Theater Mr. Fred Nash Mrs. Wilma Hucks Tirrell Murrells Inlet Boat Captains Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1980 - 1990 Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Historical Origin Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Myrtle Beach Army Air Field / Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Myrtle Beach Army Air Field / Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Myrtle Beach Colored School Myrtle Beach Pavilions Nance Plaza NCO Open Mess Nuclear and Atomic Veterans Officers Open Mess P-51 Mustang Peter Horry / Horry County Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Reactivation of 354th Fighter Day Wing Rebecca Randall Bryan Recreation Center/Service Club/Library Replacement Training Unit (RTU) 1968-1969 Roberts Pavilion / Ocean Drive Pavilion Salt Works Site Of The Seaside Hotel Socastee Socastee Methodist Church Sonny’s Pavilion Splinter City St. James Rosenwald School The Berlin Crisis 1961 The Cold War Era 1956 - 1958 The Cuban Missile Crisis The F - 100D at MBAFB, 1956 - 1970 The Freedom Tree The Historic Brick for this Park The Holocaust The King’s Highway The Sarvis House The Wade Hampton Oak The World is My Oyster True Vine Missionary Baptist Church Valor in Combat Vietnam Visiting Officer’s Quarters (Billeting) Wall of Service Warrior Washington's Southern Tour Whispering Pines Golf Course Whittemore School / Whittemore High School William Bartram Trail Woodland Park Base Housing World War II Missions Performed at Myrtle Beach Army Air Field
The Gullah/Geechee people, who are descendants of enslaved Africans from the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia, have their own unique culture and language. The Gullah/Geechee language is a creole language that combines elements of English and African languages, and the Gullah/Geechee people have preserved many traditions and customs from their African ancestors, including basket weaving and storytelling.
Horry County, located in the northeastern corner of South Carolina, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally home to Native American tribes such as the Waccamaw, Winyah, and Pee Dee. European settlers began to arrive in the 18th century, with English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants establishing plantations along the Waccamaw River.

During the American Revolutionary War, Horry County played a significant role. Local militia units, led by figures like General Peter Horry, fought against British forces in battles such as the Battle of Black Mingo and the Battle of Waccamaw. Following the war, Horry County was officially established in 1801 and named after General Peter Horry in recognition of his military service.

In the decades that followed, Horry County's economy focused primarily on agriculture and timber, with rice being a major crop. The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century brought further economic growth to the area. The county's population increased significantly during this time, as more people moved to the area to take advantage of the opportunities.

In the 20th century, Horry County experienced a shift towards tourism as a major industry. The construction of roads and bridges, including the iconic Conway Bypass and the Conway Bridge, made the area more accessible to visitors. Today, Horry County is most famous for its beautiful beaches, vibrant entertainment scene, and numerous golf courses, attracting millions of tourists each year and contributing significantly to the local economy.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Horry County, South Carolina.

  • 1730s - The area that would become Horry County is settled by European colonists.
  • 1801 - Horry County is officially established and named after General Peter Horry, a Revolutionary War hero.
  • 1861-1865 - Horry County residents support the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
  • 1887 - The town of Conway is incorporated as the county seat of Horry County.
  • 1898 - The Galveston Hurricane devastates the coastal areas of Horry County.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression impacts Horry County's economy, leading to increased poverty and government assistance programs.
  • 1940s-1950s - Horry County experiences significant population growth due to the construction of military bases and an increase in tourism.
  • 1963 - Horry County establishes its first public school district.
  • 1976 - The Myrtle Beach Pavilion amusement park opens, becoming a popular tourist attraction.
  • 1989 - Hurricane Hugo strikes Horry County, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
  • 2000s - Horry County continues to grow rapidly, attracting retirees and tourists to its beaches and golf courses.