This year, Condo-World Resort Properties celebrated its 30th year of providing the best accommodations on the Grand Strand! And as we approach 2016, we pause to take a look back at how the Myrtle Beach area has grown over the years. Here are some highlights that have contributed greatly to propelling Myrtle Beach as one of the nation’s top vacation destinations!
Early Years, the Ocean Forest Hotel: The resort that put Myrtle Beach on the map, the Ocean Forest Hotel opened in 1930. The resort was designed by Raymond Hood, the architect of New York City’s Rockefeller’s center. The building cost over $1 million dollars to build (in 1930!) and was aimed to the upper-echelon clientele. Celebrities, movie stars, and other wealthy patrons graced the Myrtle Beach shoreline for decades! The Ocean Forest closed in 1970 in order to make room for luxury condominiums, but you can still find a myriad of memorabilia and artifacts from the resort in local restaurants and hotels.
Golf Capital of The World: Golf was established in the area before Myrtle Beach was established as a city! Pine Lakes, known as the “Granddaddy,” was designed and built in 1927, originally meant to adjoin with the Ocean Forest Hotel. It remains one of the most prestigious golf courses in the South East, and is even on the National Register of Historical Places! Pine Lakes’ success gained the attention of famous golf course designers such as Robert Trent Jones, George Cobb, and later even Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer to design courses in the area. Today, Myrtle Beach retains its title as “The Golf Capital of the World,” with more than 85 premier courses to choose from!
Amusement, Festivals, Attractions: Myrtle Beach quickly grew to much more than a golf and beach destination! In 1948, the Pavilion opened on Ocean Boulevard. For nearly 60 years, the 11-acre amusement park provided tons of family fun with over 36 rides- including 3 roller coasters! The area where the Pavilion was located now hosts the Carolina Country Music Festival every Summer!
The annual Sun Fun Festival hosted its inaugural year in 1950, started by local Ford dealer, Oliver Miller. The festival serves as Myrtle Beach’s summer kickoff party each year, featuring live music, beauty pageants, food, and other outdoor entertainment. 2016 will be the 66th year of the Sun Fun Festival!
You cannot forget about the world class shopping and dining! Barefoot Landing’s “Village Shops,” opened in 1972 in North Myrtle Beach with 15 unique stores. Today, Barefoot Landing has over 100 premier stores and restaurants, as well entertainment venues such as The Alabama Theater, Alligator Adventure, and the House Of Blues! Myrtle Beach followed the lead of Barefoot Landing and opened Broadway at the Beach in 1995. With over 150 stores, restaurants, and attractions, Broadway at the Beach serves as the cornerstone of entertainment for millions of beach goers each year.
What an incredible 60 miles of coastline, and with such rich history! There is no better place to play than in Myrtle Beach, and there is no better place to stay than Condo-World! Thank you for letting Condo-World be a part of your Myrtle Beach Vacations and North Myrtle Beach Vacations for the past 30 years. Let’s usher in 2016 and beyond together, and make more history in Myrtle Beach!
