Myrtle Beach Live Cam

The Historical Evolution

Myrtle Beach's oceanfront is a dynamic tapestry of history, commerce, and natural beauty. This South Carolina coastline, once a secluded stretch of the Grand Strand, evolved from indigenous settlements to a major tourism hub known for its white sand beaches, entertainment districts, and oceanfront resorts. Throughout history, the Atlantic Ocean has been a crucial economic driver for the region, shaping everything from its maritime economy to its real estate boom.

Indigenous Inhabitants and Early European Contact

Long before Myrtle Beach became a vacation hotspot, the area was home to the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes. These indigenous groups thrived along the coastal estuaries, relying on fishing, hunting, and shellfish gathering. When European explorers arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries, they found an already sophisticated network of trade routes and settlements.

Spanish and French expeditions ventured into the region, drawn by the fertile lands and access to the Atlantic. By the 18th century, British colonization took hold, transforming the region into a plantation economy reliant on rice, indigo, and maritime trade. However, the swampy lowlands of what is now Myrtle Beach were considered largely inhospitable, leaving much of the oceanfront untouched.