How Myrtle Beach Got Its Name

How Myrtle Beach Got Its Name

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While many cities and towns throughout the United States and Europe share names, there is only one “Myrtle Beach,” and it’s located in beautiful South Carolina. This begs the question: How did Myrtle Beach get its name? 

Where Did Myrtle Beach Get Its Name?

Because the Myrtle Beach area is home to an abundance of crepe myrtle trees, many locals and visitors alike understandably—but incorrectly—assume that Myrtle Beach is named after crepe myrtles. 

Rather, the Myrtle Beach name comes from the wax myrtle, a type of evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the area. The wax myrtle has fragrant leaves and small berries Native Americans used for medicinal purposes. Early settlers also found the wax from the tree useful for making candles and soap.

In the 1700s, the Withers family owned quite a large amount of property in the area and thus it was referred to as “Withers.” But in the late 1800s, the Burroughs and Collins Company of Conway purchased a significant amount of the Withers’ land, leading to a city-naming contest in the year 1900.

The winning submission came from Addie Burroughs, widow of Franklin G. Burroughs from the Burroughs and Collins Company. She came up with the name Myrtle Beach, inspired by the area’s native wax myrtle bushes.

The name Myrtle Beach has stuck since then. Myrtle Beach officially became a town in 1938, quickly growing to become a city in 1957. To this day, Myrtle Beach is constantly expanding, with a large influx of vacationers visiting our city each year, and more and more people deciding to make this beautiful place their new home.

What Do the Locals Call Myrtle Beach?

The Myrtle Beach area has numerous nicknames used by locals and frequent visitors. Locals often refer to Myrtle Beach as “The Grand Strand.” The term “strand” refers to a stretch of beach, and “grand” is meant to convey the area’s size and popularity as a tourist destination. The name “Grand Strand” has been in use since the 1940s and is now widely recognized as the nickname for the Myrtle Beach area.

You may have heard “Dirty Myrtle” as a nickname for Myrtle Beach, but it is not a commonly used or official nickname. The origins of the nickname are unclear, but it is thought to have originated from the perception of the area as a rowdy party destination. While Myrtle Beach does have a reputation for being a lively vacation spot, it is also known for its family-friendly attractions and natural beauty. As such, many locals and visitors prefer to use the more positive nickname, “The Grand Strand,” to refer to the area.

The locals in Myrtle Beach also refer to the city simply as “Myrtle,” and sometimes as “The Beach.” They might also refer to specific areas within Myrtle Beach, such as “North Myrtle Beach” or “South Myrtle Beach.” Additionally, there are many smaller communities within the Myrtle Beach area, such as Conway and Surfside Beach, that locals might also refer to by name.

History of Myrtle Beach

The history of Myrtle Beach dates back thousands of years when the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes. The region was primarily used for hunting and fishing until the arrival of European settlers in the late 1600s.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Myrtle Beach—then referred to as “Long Bay” or “New Town”—began to attract tourists who were drawn to its natural beauty, warm climate, and pristine beaches. The first hotel was built in 1901, and by the 1920s, Myrtle Beach had become a popular vacation destination for people from across the United States.

During World War II, Myrtle Beach was used as a training ground for military personnel; after the war, the area experienced a boom in development and population growth. In the decades that followed, Myrtle Beach continued to grow and expand to cater to the millions of tourists who visited the area each year.

Today, Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States, known for its beautiful beaches, unique hotels and resorts, wide range of attractions and activities, and friendly Southern hospitality. The area continues to evolve and change, with new developments and attractions being added all the time to keep visitors coming back year after year.

Myrtle Beach Hotel Deals & Specials

Myrtle Beach Hotel Deals & Specials