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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Surfside Beach

SC PICTURE PROJECT 6 Comments

SC Picture Project / Horry County / Surfside Beach

Nestled along the Grand Strand, just a few miles south of the late nights and bright lights of Myrtle Beach, sits quiet Surfside Beach. The town’s landmark mural depicting a relaxed beachgoer was painted by local artist Tommy Simpson and graces the corner of Surfside and Poplar Drives. The community originally was known as Roach’s Beach, and it barely survived the hurricane of 1893. The land changed hands over the decades following the storm until it finally became Surfside Beach in 1952.

Surfside Beach

Dennis Donahue of Surfside Beach, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Two years later the area was again decimated, this time by Hurricane Hazel. Rather than seeing razed houses, developers saw opportunity. They rebuilt the area and marketed it as the “Family Beach.” Incorporated in 1964, Surfside Beach remains a popular vacation spot for families. In January of 2016 Surfside Beach Town Council designated the seaside town as the nation’s first autism-friendly travel destination. The designation means that the town will host events designed for people with autism as well as provide support and resources to visiting families affected by autism.

Surfside Beach sign

Jacqueline Sue of Murrells Inlet, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

More Pictures of Surfside Beach


Surfside

Roger Lancaster of Waterford, VA, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Surfside Beach

Dennis Donahue of Surfside Beach, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Surfside Mural

Austin Bond of Murrells Inlet, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Surfside Beach


Contributor Andy Hunter shares his experience capturing the photo below at Surfside Beach: “During my recent vacation, I stayed in a condo just south of the Surfside Pier. This was the morning of my first full day at Surfside. You can see the pier in the distance. This was one of my favorite sunrises of the week.”

Surfside Beach

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Surfside Beach

Where is Surfside Beach located?
Address: Highway 17 North, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
GPS Coordinates: 33.606111,-78.973056
Website: http://www.surfsidebeach.org/
What else should I see?
Surfside Beach Pier 0.1 mile
Ocean Lakes Campground 2.7 miles
Garden City 4.2 miles
Myrtle Beach State Park 6.2 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Beaches
    Surfside Beach Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dianne Hinson says

      March 29, 2020 at 10:34 AM

      I am looking for the same things. Would love a picture of the pier and rides as they were in the 70s. I have a friend that will paint one for me. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sunny Brooks says

        December 4, 2020 at 2:10 PM

        I am also searching for photos of the Pavilion and amusement park. Missing the corn dogs and sno-cones. I saved my allowance each week so I could have those and play the 10-cent arcade baseball games on Saturdays. This was during the mid to late ’60s. With the demise of the pier and bait shop and restaurant this month (12/2020), all of those memories seem more precious. My cousins used to visit from Charlotte and their dad took more pictures. I am waiting to hear if they have any. Those were the days of instant Polaroid snapshots!

        Reply
    2. Robin Laffoon says

      June 25, 2019 at 7:45 PM

      Our family has a home in Surfside Beach just 50 yards from the ocean. We live in Charlotte, NC, during the school year and in Surfside during the summer and breaks. We love the family-friendly, laid back vibe, and beach town atmosphere. Friends and family, who come to visit, just rave about the town and always want to come back. We like that Surfside is close enough to Myrtle to do the touristy things if we want to, but far enough away that we are not in the thick of it all the time. We couldn’t be happier with our choice to live in Surfside Beach and plan to retire here!

      Reply
    3. Debra E Herrmann says

      October 5, 2018 at 3:32 PM

      Any chance you could add the town’s websites to the page? http://www.surfsidebeach.org and http://www.visitsurfsidebeach.org

      Debra E. Herrmann, CMC
      Town Clerk
      843.913.6333 direct #
      843.913.6111 main #

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        October 6, 2018 at 2:37 PM

        Absolutely, we have it added, thank you!

        Reply
    4. Reggie Mims says

      July 14, 2017 at 11:27 AM

      My family used to vacation every year in Surfside back in the mid 1970’s to 1980’s. There used to be an amusement park there with rides and games but I cant find any old pictures of info about it. Does anyone have any pics or info?

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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