Page 11 - 4650 50th Anniversary Book Final

Four Became One, North Myrtle Beach NOVEMBER 18, 2011
BY: LORI SIRCABLE

In 1968, the towns of Cherry Grove Beach, Ocean In 1937, Ward Estate was purchased by a group In 1965, E.W. Prince and his wife Margaret pur-
Drive Beach, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill from Whiteville, North Carolina. It was later re- chased the Cherry Grove Fishing pier. They did
Beach gave up their own individual identities named “Crescent Beach” because the curvature extensive renovations on the old pier which up
and consolidated into one larger city. On March of the beach forms a Crescent. Some of the early until that point had nothing more than one small
19, 1968, the new city held its first election. developers were A. Elbert Jordan and Carl Prid- tackle shop on it. The Prince’s added a gift shop
During this election, citizens voted to name the gen from North Carolina, J.W. Perrin from Flor- and a restaurant. They later added a second
new consolidated city “North Myrtle Beach.” ence, and Charles N. Ingram. It was incorporated story to the end of the pier to give visitors a
No North Myrtle Beach was officially chartered in in 1953, making it the second of the four towns b better view. In 1989, the pier was nearly de-
May 7, 1968. Since the consolidation, North to become incorporated. Perrin was elected as stroyed by Hurricane Hugo. After a legal battle
Myrtle Beach has grown in a number of ways in- the first mayor of Crescent Beach. The first coun- over the ownership of the pier, the Prince family
cluding size, recognition, and population. cilmen were J.O. Baldwin, C.B. Berry, Richard K. maintained their ownership and it was reopened
In 1926, a group of men from Florence bought Cartrette and Harry Livingston. The 1960 census in 1990. Once again the pier was completely ren-
the land that would become Ocean Drive Beach. revealed that Crescent Beach had 440 fulltime ovated; this time into a multimillion dollar resort
Ocean Drive was incorporated on June 8, 1948; it residents. called Prince Resort. The complex now contains a
was the first of the four beaches that would later two tower hotel that leads to the pier which has
make up North Myrtle Beach to become incorpo- full service tackle, bait and gift shop.
rated. At the time of incorporation, Ocean Drive Another popular tourist destination in Cherry
Beach consisted of 200-300 full time residents. Grove was Sonny’s Pavilion. In 1948, Sonny
T The town’s first mayor was Luther W. Fenegan. Nixon, who was still in high school at the time,
The original councilmen were Hardy S. Bennett, acquired an eight square foot gazebo which he
James B. Harris, A.M. Rush and James Blankney placed at the end of Sea Mountain Highway in
Jackson. The beach was dubbed “the widest Cherry Grove. Initially he sold “snowballs” as well
beach in the world” and car races were often as other beach objects such as umbrellas. The
business became very successful and in 1950,
held along its shore. According to the 1960 business
census, the last census before the four towns On April 8, 1734, James Minor from Connecticut Nixon expanded his business to include a grill,
c consolidated, there were 313 permanent resi- obtained a 375-acre piece of land; this land hot dog stand, and a dance floor with a jukebox.
dents in Ocean Drive Beach. became known as “Minor’s Island.” Minor lived The pavilion was completely destroyed in 1954
Ocean Drive Beach was a popular hangout for on this property until October 13, 1742, when he by Hurricane Hazel. Nixon rebuilt and expanded
both local and visiting youth. They enjoyed sold it to John Eshfield. The land was sold again the pavilion in 1955 to include a bigger dance
music and dancing as well as trips to the pavilion. in 1769 to John Alston. This land bordered a floor, bingo hall, a grill and a gift shop. The pavil-
The pavilion was owned by Bertha Roberts from plantation that was called “Cherry Grove.” As a ion remained a successful hotspot until it was
Green Sea but was rented by the Harrelson resul once again destroyed in 1989 by Hurricane Hugo.
result, Minor’s Island began to be called “the
family. During the 1940’s many people described beach at Cherry Grove.” Eventually this name
Robert’s Pavilion as “the only place in town.” The was shortened to simply Cherry Grove. In 1950,
pa pavilion contained an arcade, bingo hall, bath- the Cherry Grove Property, now owned by the
house, bowling alley and skating rink. In 1954, Nixon family, was joined to Futch Beach by filling
the pavilion was destroyed by Hurricane Hazel. in an inlet that separated them. Futch Beach was
This same year, the Harrelson family bought the then renamed East Cherry Grove. On March 26,
1959, Cherry Grove Beach became the third of
property. In 1955 Roy Harrelson not only rebuilt 1959,
the pavilion but he also added an amusement the towns to become incorporated. C.D. Nixon
park to it. The pavilion and amusement park re was elected as the town’s first mayor. The first
mained open until the 1980’s when the Harrelson members of the council were R. Marvin Edge,
family sold the property. Nicholas F. Nixon, J.L. Vereen and K.V. McLeod.
According to the 1960 census, there were 208
people living in Cherry Grove.

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