Are you ready for a Myrtle Beach history lesson?
In the 19th century, a company started to develop the earliest settlement of the area known today as Myrtle Beach. Initially called “New Town,” it had a railroad to transport timber inland from the coast. On weekends, the workers of the railroad would ride the train down to the coast to become the first seaboard tourists. The end of the line was that “New Town”.
A pioneer who envisioned New Town developing into a major tourist destination was Franklin Borroughs. He wanted the area to rival Florida. He died, but his dream was carried out by his sons, who built the first Seaside Inn. Around 1900, a contest was held to give a better name to the area, and Borrough’s wife thought to name the area after the locally prominent shrub, the Southern Wax Myrtle. New Town changed its name to Myrtle Beach, and eventually the town grew into the major tourist attraction it is today.
Today, Myrtle Beach is a major vacation destination area, attracting about 14 million tourists. A major staple to these resorts are the golf courses. Golf is a major attraction for Myrtle Beach because there are over 100 golf and/ or golf resort complexes. This makes Myrtle Beach the so called “Golf Capital of the World.” A few of the well-known resorts include: Arcadian Shores Golf Club, Barefoot Resort’s Fazio, Love, and Norman courses, Grande Dunes Golf Resort, the Legends Resort, and Man O’War.
All of these courses, some located in resorts right on the ocean, have attracted a whole industry of golf vacation advisers. One of the best golf vacation planners available is Coastal Golfaway. Their service is built around the fact that they know the local market very well. They are not tied to any one course or accommodation. Depending on the traveler’s budget, these vacation specialists can prepare an itinerary which helps keep the entire family or group entertained.
The local area has developed from a rural backwater and plantation area to one of America’s premier vacation and seaside vacation resort areas. A lot of this has to do with the fact that there are so many golf resorts. Through a combination of location, climate, top notch golf course designs, and built out resort and vacation infrastructure,Myrtle Beach is one of America’s leading vacation spots. Focus is on the family to provide relaxation and a great place for golfers of all levels to enjoy some great courses.
To read more about Myrtle Beach’s history, go check out the Visit Myrtle Beach page about the area’s history and folklore