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Horry County (pronounced OR-ee) is named for Peter Horry, a planter of French Huguenot descent, who was born in South Carolina in 1747. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Revolutionary War and a brigadier general in the S.C. Militia. He represented Prince George Winyah and All Saints parishes in the S.C. House and Senate.
Horry County is located in the northeastern corner of South Carolina. On a map it looks like a wedge between North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest county in South Carolina in area (1,134 square miles) making it larger in land area than the state of Rhode Island! Myrtle Beach is the largest city, tourism is its largest industry, and Conway is its county seat.
There are approximately 215 sunny days a year, with the average air temperature of 64 degrees, water temperature of 66 degrees, and relative humidity at 56 percent. The average January high is 56 degrees, and the average July high is 91 degrees.
Whether your interest is golf, boating, fishing, attractions, the symphony, or theatre, Horry County truly has something for everyone. With miles of coastline, meandering rivers and abundant natural beauty, this region offers the best of the outdoors with a host of cultural and recreational opportunities.
The Myrtle Beach area, also called the Grand Strand, is a 60-mile stretch of communities along the sparkling Atlantic. Today the family fun and excitement last year round, from Little River down to Surfside Beach, Garden City, and Murrells Inlet as 13 million tourists visit the area each year.
No other destination offers such diversity. The individual communities that make up Horry County are unique, each with its own personality and appeal.
Incorporated in 1913, the town of Aynor lies about 30 miles west of Myrtle Beach. Each year hundreds of thousands of vacationers pass through The Little Golden Town, as it is affectionately known, as they make their way to the Grand Strand's beaches. Primarily a farming community, the area boasts a beautiful center used by its senior citizens. Each September the town hosts the Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival with crafts, food, and entertainment.
Just minutes from Myrtle Beach, Conway exudes decades of difference. The city harbors numerous treasures from the past, including 17 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guests can take in the timeless beauty of the Kingston churchyard, where a trio of Victorian sculptures is located, or spend an afternoon of discovery at the Horry County Museum. Of particular interest is Conway City Hall, rendered by the architect who designed the Washington Monument. Situated along the banks of the ancient Waccamaw River, Conway boasts riverboat cruises, a shady, peaceful Riverwalk, antique and specialty shops, and outstanding restaurants.
Located at the north end of the Grand Strand just south of the NC border, Little River beckons those that prefer a slower pace. Along the Intracoastal Waterway only five minutes from the ocean, this charming village is in a world of its own. Once a haven for pirates, Little River is still teeming with treasures today. Fine restaurants, historic shop fronts, quaint marinas, gorgeous golf courses, and even gaming boats, await those who venture to this special place.
In 1902 the town of Loris was incorporated and became a trading center for the agriculture, lumber, and turpentine industries of upper Horry County. Located about 35 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach, Loris was declared by the U.S. Census Bureau in 1997 the second fastest growing city in South Carolina. Its proximity to world-class beach resorts combined with a friendly, small-town atmosphere makes this community ideal for relocating families, small businesses, and industry.
Myrtle Beach was originally known as "New Town" back in the early 1900's. Families began coming here by horse and buggy more than a century ago, ferrying over the Waccamaw River to reach the undeveloped beach. Myrtle Beach's popularity as a vacation spot grew rapidly and oceanfront development began. Myrtle Beach became a town by 1938 and was incorporated into a city in 1957. Today it has a population of over 23,000 and is the largest and most developed community on the Grand Strand. There are hundreds of hotels, restaurants, shopping venues and attractions which attract thousands of tourists to the area each year.
Founded more than 30 years ago when the four small beach towns of Windy Hill, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, and Cherry Grove joined, the city of North Myrtle Beach has retained the laid-back flavor of its past. With nine miles of wide Atlantic beaches to the east and the majestic Intracoastal Waterway to the west, swimming, boating, fishing, and just plain relaxing are always a sure bet. Extraordinary golf, live shows, sumptuous dining, all this and more, are in store for visitors who hope to enjoy a beach vacation like it used to be.
South of Myrtle Beach are two communities which have been family favorites for years. Surfside Beach, known as "the family beach" is a thriving community of about 4,500 people. In the center of Surfside Beach is the popular fishing pier which is surrounded by numerous hotels, beach houses, condominiums, restaurants and businesses. To the south of Surfside is Garden City Beach with a population of over 9,000. Garden City Beach borders the mouth of Murrells Inlet, which makes it popular with fishermen and water sports enthusiasts.
For more information contact:
Aynor Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 175
Aynor, SC 29511
(843) 358-4808
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
203 Main Street
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 248-2273
Little River Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 400
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 249-6604
Loris Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 356
Loris, SC 29569
(843) 756-6030
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
1200 N. Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 626-7444
North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 349
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597
(877) 332-2662
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