The first to be enthralled by rolling dunes with giant oaks standing guard over wide sandy beaches were the Waccamaaw and Winyah Indians, who called it "Chicora." Pirates later terrorized the region, and people still search for treasure thought to have been hidden nearby by "Captain Kidd."

The only gold here, however, is the sun, and the Grand Strand is the treasure - and it was discovered long ago. In the late 1800s Conway businessman F. G. Burroughs realized the potential of this coastal region and purchased most of the real estate - 80,000 acres, including the entire coastline from Little River to Murrells Inlet. He introduced his "New Town" to the rest of the world around the turn of the twentieth century, when his own Conway & Seashore Railroad made the area easily accessible. Later a contest was held to rename the town, and Burroughs' wife submitted the winning entry - Myrtle Beach, in honor of the Sweet Myrtle tree native to the area.

The original seaside town was destroyed in 1954 when Hurricane Hazel crashed into the area. The locals, however, refused to be defeated. They rebuilt, and continue to develop today. Most of the seaside cottages have been replaced with motels, but if you're lucky, you may find one available. Are you up for the challenge?