Nicknames: "The Grand Strand" - it's the extra wide beach and a grouping of all the beach towns of the area, including buy not limited to Little River, Windy Hill, Myrtle Beach, Garden City and Pawleys Island.
"The Independent Republic"- signing of secessioin papers in Conway and Horry County's geographic seperation, rivers and marshes seperate it from the rest of the state.
Mayor of Myrtle Beach: Mark S. McBride
Population: Horry and Georgetown Counties - approx. 260,000
Area: The Grand Strand - 60 miles of coastline Little River to Georgetown
Average air and water temperature: July-air 88 degrees/water 80 degrees, January-air 56 degrees/water 50 degrees
Average sunny days: 216; rainy, 72; humidty 57 percent
Colleges and Universities: Coastal Carolina, Horry Georgetown Technical College, Webster
Timeline of history:
- 1730: The city of Georgetown planned
- 1779: South Carolina joined Union
- 1900: Burroughs and Collins Company constructs a railway to the beach
- 1901: First hotel (Seaside Inn) is built
- 1936: Intracoastal Waterway is opened to boats
- 1954: Hurricane Hazel hits the Grand Strand
- 1989: Hurricane Hugo hits the Grand Strand
- 1997: Beach Renourishment Project begins: area's first museum of art opens
Major Employers: Burroughs and Chapin, AVX, City of Myrtle Beach, Horry County
Famous People: Vanna White and Alabama
Major Airport: Myrtle Beach International Airport
Major Roads:
- Ocean Boulevard: runs parallel to ocean through most of the Grand Strand
- U.S. Highway 17 Business (Kings Hwy) and Bypass: also run parallel but more westward inland
- U.S. Highway 501: from Florence, into Conway and into Myrtle Beach To get to North Strand take 501 to highway SC 90
- Interstate 40 East (to US 17 S.): for travelers coming from eastern North Carolina.
- Interstate 95 and 20: for those coming in from the west into Florence
Driving Laws: To obtain a license you must be at least 18 years old; to obtain a permit is 14 years old; new residents have 90 days to turn in old license and get a SC license. Seat belts and child safety restraints required. Headlights must be on when use of wipers necessary.
Alcohol Laws: Drinking age is 21. Alcohol is sold 7 days a week except liqour which is sold Mon-Sat until 7pm and sold at ABC stores marked with a big red dot.
Sales Tax: 5 percent; 16 cents a gallon on gasoline; maximum $300 on vehicle purchase.
Hospitality Tax: 2.5 percent fee charged on prepared food, admissions, and overnight accomodations of less than 90 days.
