The Springmaid Pier was severely damaged during Hurricane Matthew on October 8, 2016. Only 100 feet of the pier, which stretched 1,068 feet into the Atlantic, remained in tact. The pier was fully repaired as of October 2022. Many thanks to Todd M. for sending us a note on its updated status!
The Springmaid Pier – used primarily for fishing, strolling, and sightseeing – stood at 1,068 feet long. It was the longest pier in Myrtle Beach. Sadly, most of the pier was washed out to sea during the October 8, 2016 storm, Hurricane Matthew. Since then, only 100 feet of the pier remain standing.
The original pier was built in 1953 as part of Springmaid Resort, a bare-bones beachfront hotel begun in 1948 by Colonel Elliott White Springs, president of Springs Industries textile manufacturers. That pier was destroyed the following year by Hurricane Hazel and was rebuilt, only to be destroyed again in 1959 when an airplane crashed into it. The most recent pier was built in 1973.
The Springmaid Resort catered to mill-workers and provided an inexpensive place for people to enjoy a beach vacation. In fact, the resort was open only to employees of Springs Mills until 1953, when it was opened to the public. Rooms consisted of twin beds nestled in a dorm-like or barracks-like concrete building. The resort charged guests $2 a room, or $1 a bed. Not much changed over the subsequent decades, including the rates, until more air-conditioned buildings were added in the 1970s. The resort was modernized with new buildings in the 1990s and early 2000s and was purchased in 2015 by a California-based investment group.
More Pictures of the Springmaid Pier
Reflections on the Springmaid Pier
Dawne Dunton, who captured the above photos, describes the scene like the one at the top of the page: “A morning sunrise at the beach is something I love to do know matter what time of the year. Sunrises are different every day. I may miss a few here and there, but the best ones are always the ones I do see. This is my favorite place to see them.”
Chuck Lawhon, of Myrtle Beach, supplied the top photo on this page of the pier after sustaining damage from Hurricane Matthew. Chuck said this about the pier: “This is a one minute exposure taken at what is left of Springmaid Pier. Hurricane Matthew may have knocked her down, but the amazing memories will last forever. I’m sure I’m not alone when it comes to the amazing memories made on those wooden planks reaching out into the Atlantic. A few of my favorites are when my Paw Paw won a Sun Fun King Mackerel Tournament, trout fishing on a cold winter evening with mom and dad or seeing the smile on my boys faces the first time they set the hook on a shark and felt that power on the end of the line just to name a few. This will always be a special place to me and with my dad recently passing and knowing how special it was to him as well, I often visit to spend time with him per say. Oh the memories!”
The pier is fully rebuilt as of Oct 29, 2022.
Todd, thank you so much for this helpful comment! I have update our information with a credit to you. 🙂
I grew up taking trips every summer to Myrtle and still do as I have became a adult and bring my family. My most memorable times was spent on the pier with my dad and my girls. Just wondering if there is any plans of rebuilding the best pier on Myrtle – the SPRINGMAID.
Love the colors in the sky that are reflected in the water. Looks very peaceful and serene.