top of page

 

  •  

  • Horry County Chapter

     

    Originally part of colonial Craven County (1682), Horry County has also been part of Prince George Winyah (1722), Prince Frederick (1734), and All Saints (1767) parishes, which served as early religious and civic jurisdictions. This area, which became part of newly-formed Georgetown District in 1769, was given its present boundaries and named Kingston County in 1785. In 1801, it was renamed Horry District, and, in 1868, Horry County. General Peter Horry, A Planter of French Huguenot descent, Peter Horry (O-REE') was born in SC c. 1747. A lieutenant colonel in the Revolution and later brigadier general in the SC Militia, he represented Prince George Winyah and All Saints parishes in the SC House and Senate. In 1801, Kingston County was renamed Horry District for Peter Horry. He died in 1815 and is buried at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia, SC. Horry County was named for Revolutionary War hero Peter Horry (1743-1815). The county was originally a part of Georgetown District, and at one time it was called Kingston. It became a separate county in 1801, with the county seat at Conway. This area of the state was isolated for many years by numerous rivers and swamps, and the inhabitants sometimes referred to themselves as the "Independent Republic of Horry." Lumber and naval stores were the primary industries during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, with tobacco farming being introduced later. In the twentieth century tourism has come to dominate the coastal section of the county centered around Myrtle Beach. Television personality Vanna White and science fiction writer William Gibson are natives of Horry County.

  • Horry County, land of the fiercely proud historic Independent Republic of Horry, a county of dual personality where a primarily agrarian land co-exists with the glitz of the internationally famous vacation mecca of Myrtle Beach, anchored in the midst of the coastal Grand Strand beaches of South Carolina. Horry County, largest of the state's 46 counties, boasts a history of human habitation for thousands of years: Chicora Indian sites; a Spanish settlement in 1526; and British settlers in the 1600s. Historic events include: Revolutionary battles; a 1791 visit from President George Washington; a Civil War battle at Fort Randall; and overseas port embarkation from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base during World War II.

     

    Population in 1820 was recorded at 5,025. Today it is about 170,000.

    Early industry included lumbering, turpentine production, ship building, tobacco farming and truck farming. Tourist efforts began in the early 1900s. By the late 1950s the tourism boom took off. Present figures record record 11.3 million visitors a year. The Waccamaw River, a major link of the north-south Intracoastal Waterway, has played a unique role in Horry's history. Several coastal swashes dot the coastline. Carolina Bays attract naturalists. Both are unusual natural geographical features. In addition to historic sites, Horry County offers endless seashore activities. Beckoning attractions embrace themed entertainment parks; historic Pink Lakes International Golf Course; many campgrounds; and an international jetport. Other eminent sites: Horry's own Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens; Playcard Environmental Educational Center with its logging, early farming, Indian culture exhibits, annual Swamp Fest; and African-American Freewoods Farms under development. Cultural arts are at home here with art and history museums. Many South Carolinians who have impacted world history are honored at the SC Hall of Fame located in the MB Convention Center. Coastal Carolina University, Webster University, Horry-Georgetown Technical College and North American Institute of Aviation offer higher educational opportunities. First-class libraries offer research facilities.

     

    Conway, the county seat, is named for Revolutionary War hero Brigadier General Robert Conway. Horry (Orry) County is named for another Revolutionary hero, Brigadier General Peter Horry. Approaching its 50th anniversary, the Horry County Police Department was created in 1959, by a legislative practice that was common during that time period. According to title 53 of the South Carolina statutes, there were 18 such departments in existence in 1962. The department started out with 8 officers and a Chief of Police who answered to a police commission, which consisted of 6 members of the community who were appointed by the Horry County Legislative Delegation. Besides traditional law-enforcement duties, the department was also tasked with the operation of the county jail and the service of magistrate civil papers. The first police chief was Henry Hardwick, who retired shortly thereafter and was succeeded by Lee Johnson of Aynor.

 

bottom of page