vacant, awaiting a new beginning or another use possibility? the park grounds. Playing in the arcade with the breezes blowing through. City council. You wrote a great little memory piece right up till the end there. Though the law changed on New Years Day in 2006, the blurry memories remain for quite a few visitors. Before country legend Dolly Parton ever strapped on a costume to promote Pirates Voyage, she opened the Western-themed Dixie Stampede in 1992. The site is now occupied by two campgrounds. following year. It really takes me back. Wow. The pavilion itself is expanded in 1938, the same year Myrtle Beach is incorporated as a town. The Thompsons packed up and left town. I have tons of pictures from one day at each one yet not enough of the place where I grew up and became the person I am today. Now my dad has passed away and I sit almost daily trying to find out anything I can about him. A historical marker commemorating the Myrtle Beach Pavilion is placed on the northeast corner of the lot and a small live-music stage and sand volleyball courts are built in the area where the pavilion building once stood. But the grounds looked just like a Haunted Town. My female cousins and friends that I took along on our beach trips all loved Magic Harbor as well. I also recall an interesting feature of the log flume in the early slow-moving stages of the ride, I seem to recall that it actually went through some of the shops and the arcade, which was a cool feature one that Ive never seen repeated anywhere else. Her parents did sue and won. Now if only theyd ever finish the Highway 74 project thats been in the works for decades, perhaps traveling to Myrtle Beach would really be a breeze. Details. Also in 1954, Hurricane Hazel slams the Myrtle Beach coast, wiping out many oceanfront businesses and landmarks, including piers and portions of the boardwalk. Myrtle Magic - This 2-bedroom Myrtle Magic offers accommodation around a 10-minute drive from the outdoor fun Broadway at the Beach Mall, while Myrtle Beach Convention Center is within 2.3 miles away. Another business group bought the park and Park Whether it was dancing the night away with friends, experiencing the thrills of riding the rides or just strolling through the park with loved ones, The Myrtle Beach Pavilion created an endless stream of vacation memories for visitors. Cowboys, Indians, gunfights and more. It was some kind of plastic and you couldnt skate on it at all. The second iteration of the pavilion burns to the ground on Dec. 28, 1944. The grounds were thickly wooded and the grounds had several man-made lakes centered around a games area. After several years of sitting vacant with little to no activity during The Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, the area near the former pavilion site begins to gain new life. your own Pins on Pinterest Thanks to all for sharing! coaster and was nearly decapitated, she died. Though these clubs have moved on, there are still plenty of bars, clubs, and places to dance,including Riptydz, and the long-running 3001 Nightlife (formerly 2001 Nightclub) and The Bowery for vacationers to make new memories. !, Spent so many hours at the Magic Attic! Four-Day/Three-Night Stay at Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark, 4 Tickets to the new Iconic show at Alabama Theatre. Does anyone remember Pirateland? I would like to correct some of the mistakes you actually made in your comments, which were quite hurtful to me and my family. Located 4 miles south of Myrtle Beach on the old Highway 17, it was a novel attraction for its time. And the cool sign on the highway, which you can google. Check out these great websites and resources: One grand prize winner will receive a 3-Night Stay at Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark Plus an Amazing Prize Pack! I sure do miss this place. As a lifelong resident of the MB area, I also have to question the original poster as to the veracity of his claims. I still maintain friendships with former employees who adored my dad and the tireless efforts he put into Magic Harbor. As a family, we loved playing skee-ball and playing the baseball machines. My dad wasnt given the park to make a go of it whatsoever. One of the biggest Ferris Wheel's in the world was added as well as a We were and are still so sad it's gone. Blayne- My bff also worked at Magic Mountain Water Slide so our days were spent there. 4640 Highway 17 S., N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (843) 272-3000 MYRTLE BEACH PAVILION It's finally closed and destroyed, after all these years. The only thing Myrtle Beach has now days is that small Ocean Drive Pavilion park in North Myrtle and South Myrtle has those rides at Broadway at the Beach & Family Kingdom, which has that classic Swamp Fox wooden coaster & Chance Giant Wheel sitting out by Ocean Blvd. . What a walk back in time reading all these posts! They had the arm wrestling game that wasn't at my local arcade in Monroe, N.C. Just being in that atmosphere was electric for me. It was by the Priate Land campground. I had totally forgotten the puppet shows, but I remember being mesmerized by them as a very young child. Later that year, the Pavilion Nostalgia Park opens at Broadway at the Beach, featuring relocated pieces of the park including the carousel, the organ, an arcade and rides including the Pirate Ship, tea cups and various other kiddie rides. above a lake with a campground (still in use) on the other side of the lake. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Even those in town from the rock or metal crowd could count on the Purple Gator in Myrtle Beach in the 90s to bring in top live acts. It featured parades, celebrity appearances, concerts, dances, bikini competitions, and more. Apr 5, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Roxsan Dorough. Not sure who the manager of the slide was at the time but she adored him and his family. I do remember going to Pirateland too. Only a block wide, the smaller park cant compete with the Pavilions variety of ride but does offer an awe factor with its 200-foot-tall signature Astro Needle ride. Bret Malone must not have thoroughly researched his article. Originally called PirateLand, it was renamed for its 1975 re-opening with a revamped British theme. Magic Harbor was an amusement park located south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that operated from 1954 until the mid-1990s. 4.5-ounce, 100% ring spun cotton Machine Washable I would like to correct some of the mistakes you actually made in your comments, which were quite hurtful to me and my family. The ride features a 70-foot drop and two looping corkscrews and was in operation for more than 30 year until is was removed to make way for the Hurricane: Category 5. Thompson changed the name back to Magic Harbor, and themed the park A British Amusement Park. She was 13. It seemed to us that the people who worked at Magic Harbor and the cast of HSC were more like family than co-workers. I was 19 years old. My hubby and I rode the rides on our honeymoon! While were remembering nights at Mother Fletchers and other popular nightlife spots, you might recall the drinks being stronger in Myrtle Beach than anywhere elseand youre right. Booked. Gallery. Was there one by the same name at Magic Harbor as well? Was this park named Pirate Land back in 1971? Yes, there was a robbery/murder, but it was actually the owner who was killed as someone broke into his home to rob and murder him. Fun memories of a wonderful childhood spent growing up in Myrtle Beach. Seems like the location was Surfside Beach not Myrtle Beach. Magic Harbor As horrific as her death was, you all make it worse with comments like that. This too turned to tragedy as a worker at the park, broke into the park managers office shooting him with a gun while robbing that days money take. Her younger brother was also murdered then. The first in many deaths occurred as a Stage Coach Ride tipped over and Killed one person while hurting several others. Discover (and save!) After serving as a front-line base throughout the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War, the base closed for good in 1993, sparking a variety of ideas as to its future use. I had a dream that it broke free and rolled across the street once, lol. First of all, Sherri DePew was not nearly decapitated at all, as I was sitting two cars behind her when she tragically came out of her seat and knocked her head on the rail that enclosed the Black Witch. Hello to all the people who worked with me during those four wonderful summers. The area still has a few local shops and part of the land was used for the Freestyle Music Park. Theres a ton of great Myrtle Beach Pavilion videos available on YouTube. They owned the park for about ten years. Made a lot of great friends there. The new Myrtle Beach Pavilion building, built of poured concrete to withstand winds up to 150 mph, officially opens. What would later become one of the Pavilions most iconic attractions, the Herschell-Sillman Carousel, is built in 1912. In addition to staples such as Belk, Sears, Cokers, and Collins Department Stores, the mall was also known for attractions like the Magic Cavern Arcade, Carousel Court, and its award-winning food court. Lets take a look at some of the special moments, businesses, and landmarks that defined trips to Myrtle Beach for generations. The park originated as a Wild, Wild West Theme Park in the 1960,s complete with The Thompsons packed up and left town. The park the writer is confused with was Fort Caroline. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Save $1,000s with the Monster Coupon app! And I had forgotten how the park changed into The Lighthouse Christian amusement park. Name Type Design Scale Opened Closed; Corkscrew: Steel: Sit Down: Extreme: . Magic Harbor (Surfside Beach, South Carolina, United States) Removed, Operated. Not to mention alot of GOOD friends where made for life times. The park originated as a Wild, Wild West Theme Park in the 1960,s complete with Cowboys, Indians, gunfights. In all the toll from the accident was one killed and 8 injured, with four riders having fallen out of the ride. ). The former Myrtle Beach Farms, now called Burroughs & Chapin, buys out the Central Amusement Company. Beginning in 1951, the annual Sun Fun Festival held in downtown Myrtle Beach was a fundraising event and a celebration of all things beachy about our area. Located 4 miles south of Myrtle Beach on the old Magic Harbor as Corkscrew Myrtle Beach Pavilion as Corkscrew Salitre Magico as Magnus: Videos. One person mentioned it. Inversions: 0. It was sold to the Myrtle Beach Pavilion where it remained until it was replaced with the Hurricane coaster. Check out the site for more photos and history of Myrtle Beach. I live and grew up in the community thats right across 17 from where Magic Harbor used to be. A lot of money was spent turning the old grounds into a Great, New European Themed British Amusement Park. The city has always owned the land, and just leased it to the owners of the Park/Parks over the years. or After two months, several rides were taken away to go to a large State Fair up North, by the end of the season, all the rides were gone, the lights turned out for the last time. Echo Valley . It is proving to be quite successful for both Pirateland and Lakewood; and there seem to be no reports of hauntings. I remember sitting on steps of an outside theater and I was once called on stage. The park (Oh yeah! The Park wasnt a Wild Wild West Show Park. closed due to this and bad word of mouth. (Malory is a Grammy winner now.). The ride was a 3,800-foot-long, hybrid-structure coaster that featured an out-and-back style layout with 14 turns, a 100-foot drop, and a top speed of 55 mph. They were and are the first family of Myrtle Beach. The smell of suntan lotion inside as well., The Magic Attic was where we always went to go meet Northern boys in the 90s Great Memories!, I remember the organ, playing skee ball with my dad and just walking along Ocean Boulevard. Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Date: 1980. For a short time after the demolition, Burroughs & Chapin sells collector bags of crushed concrete from the Magic Attic floor and the Walk of Fame on the Pavilion store website. Yeah, Magic Harbor was on US-17 north of 544 and south of Myrtle Beach State Park. in Myrtle Beach (Now La Casona Mexican Restaurant), Santa Fe Station: Restaurant located at 1101 Hwy. The corkscrew roller coaster was at Magic Harbor first. This ride features frogs, lions, zebras and dragons with only a single lead horse which makes it quite unique for its time. We spoke on the phone with them frequently. We loved the big ride up front that let us see the ocean., The arcade. I used to go to Magic Harbor as a child. At the height of its popularity the store served as the hub of the Waccamaw Factory Shoppes, an enormous 750,000-square-foot outlet shopping complexat the time, the nations third largestthat included more than 100 stores. As young girls I think we all fell in love with any number of cute high school guys working there each and every summer! After the original Seaside Inn pavilion burns in 1920, it is replaced by a new, larger oceanfront pavilion, which opens in 1923 on the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard. Sort By: Published . Over the years, visitors of all ages and walks of life basked in the simple pleasures of letting go and enjoying its thrilling rides, silly games, upbeat tunes, colorful characters, sugary sweet treats and amazing views in Myrtle Beach. Eating ice cream and watching the traffic go by, those were childhood memories, and I remember riding the rides as well!, I miss The Pavilion!! There was a paddlewheel boat that went around a small lake and the pirates would attack it as well. Senior Citizens from the local RV park used several walkways in the park to exercise while the water slides in the parking lot were operated by a local person as a separate attraction. Great fun but it only lasted one year under that ownership. Jul 20, 2016 - This Pin was discovered by Maria Sellers. Mother Fletchers closed in 2004 and The Freaky Tiki in Myrtle Beach closed before the 2006 season. I remember the corkscrew coaster at the Pavilion Amusement Park. You write: Both The Freaky Tiki and Mother Fletchers Myrtle Beach locations became the completely rebuilt and renovated 8th Ave Tiki Bar. Don Perry Sr. will attest to that, as would others. Throughout the late 1950s and into the 1960s, the area surrounding the Myrtle Beach pavilion thrives. The Rainbow was an awesome ride, especially in the daytime, you could see miles of ocean. The Perrys always spoke fondly of their time as owners of Magic Harbor. I operated the upside down roller coaster there in the mid 70s. Built in 1940 as a World War II training base, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base hosted thousands of U.S. troops over more than 50 years in operation. The inaugural Carolina Country Music Festival is held in June on the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion site. Facebook Teresa Caffrey Taylor. For more than 30 years, South Carolina was known for serving the strongest drinks in the nation, due to a state law that required all bars to serve liquor exclusively from mini bottles. Good memories each and every one., The Magic Attic. This two-story structure is built over a long wooden boardwalk, which stretches north to the 14th Avenue Pier. looked just like a Haunted Town. The Roundup I used to be afraid it would come loose and roll down the street. They were BBQ with lettuce, finely shredded cheese & a tomato wedge Not like the tacos that are served these days!, We always rolled into Myrtle Beach on the street beside the rides, and we were always excited to see the Pavilion. I have a terrible memory, hence why I am always searching for things to remind me. Four-Day/Three-Night Stay at Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark, 4 Tickets to the new Iconic show at Alabama Theatre. From the 155-foot-tall steel Led Zeppelin roller coaster to the trippy Nights in White Satin dark ride and the various live shows and themed areas, there was plenty to like about the park itself. It was inconsiderate of me not to have been more thorough, and I apologize. Discover (and save!) A longtime favorite, the Galaxi roller coaster shuts down after the 1997 season and is moved to the NASCAR Speedpark in Myrtle Beach. Despite several down years leading up to the closure, the park experiences a renaissance in its Farewell Season with increased business, and several online petitions circulate in an effort to save the park. Occupying a small portion of the amusement parks space near the Kings Highway side of the lot, Myrtle Beach Adrenaline Adventures opens a zipline attraction on the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion area. He did keep Magic Mountain open, as my father successfully ran on Mr. Thompsons behalf and I worked for him for a few summers myself. We got stuck and got hit in the rear. Some years after the park had closed we were staying a this friends and were awoken in the middle of the night to a fire on the Magic Harbor property. Blaynes account is highly credible. In 1992, the portion of Chester Street that runs through the pavilion is closed off, and the amusement park is expanded to take up the entire area between Eighth and Ninth avenues North from Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway. I was mesmerized by the old style ship in the pond/lake they had. (Now part of, Chesterfield Inn: This oceanfront hotel and inn at 700 N. Ocean Blvd. If youre one of the select few who chose to brave The Great Recession in 2008-09 to visit Myrtle Beach and actually attend one of the parks two incarnations, then chances are you actually enjoyed your time there. Trust us, if youre trying to get from Surfside Beach to Little River or from Conway to North Myrtle Beach, you should be glad roads like S.C. 31 and S.C. 22 exist. I must have ridden the log flume over 100 times one summer! Getting an airbrushed t shirt out front and hearing all the screams from people riding the rides. Rebranding its Pavilion Nostalgia Park built in 2007, Broadway at the Beach expands its amusement offerings into the new Pavilion Park. Im back. First of all, Sherri DePew was not nearly decapitated at all, as I was sitting two cars behind her when she tragically came out of her seat and knocked her head on the rail that enclosed the Black Witch. My dad made the best attempt to keep Magic Harbor and Magic Mountain running, but it was by NO fault of his that it closed. who was heading off to study at Clemson University, Andy at The Bucket drop, Sir Hugh at the pub, Bryan, Scott, Johnny, etcyou guys were truly charming! 2008-2009 Later known as Freestyle Music Park: Heritage USA: Fort Mill: 1978-1989 Magic Harbor: Surfside Beach: 1954-mid 1990s It was originally named PirateLand. I remember alligator shows, airlift rides, the log plume, and this gigantic thing you got in and the floor dropped out of. It was novel at first, and attendance was high. Funny Ive been to all the Disney World and Lands except Euro Disney. To capture the nostalgia of the park and what made it so special, we asked our MyrtleBeach.com fans what they remembered most fondly about the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. More parking lot were operated by a local person as a separate attraction. Im sorry to say I dont hardly remember anyone that worked there. Facts. In fact, Im pretty sure there wasnt a Perry in sight at that point to confirm any of the operators. I imagine its the exact same coaster that was later relocated to the downtown Pavillion park where it was enjoyed for many, many years by millions of people. Myrtle Beach, SC. From the human checkerboard games to the Sun Fun Jaila place for anyone breaking from wearing summer attirethis festival was wholesome family fun at its finest. Log-Flume, Teacups, a steel Roller-Coaster called the "Black Witch" while all Homesickness strikes again lol. him with a gun while robbing that day's money take. The park originated as a Wild, Wild West Theme Park in the 1960,s complete with Cowboys, Indians, gunfights and more. no wonder while locals refer to the park as "Haunted Harbor". With more than 10 million visitors per year, we aim to provide users with the most comprehensive vacation planning guide for the Myrtle Beach area with more than 1,000 hotels, restaurants and attractions. It was exactly like the one currently at Family Kingdom in Myrtle Beach. Lots of great memories and good friendships formed that summer. They didnt actually shut the park down, they did legally, but technically they still owned it. Who remembers those tacos for 25 cents? Search Roller Coasters Amusement Parks Companies People. Surfside Beach, South Carolina, United States. When it was open, Magic Harbor was a wonderful park. My family and I would stay at the Firebird Inn while we were traveling there in the early nineties. You wont find a coaster quite like the Hurricane in Myrtle Beach today, but the Family Kingdom on Ocean Boulevard features the Swamp Fox with a 75-foot drop, and you can still recapture some of the old Myrtle Beach magic at the Pavilion Park at Broadway at the Beach. It was complete with British Carneys, an Ice Show (where the dolphin show used to be), and Benny Hill style shows and street performers. It was the summer after I lost my brother and my dad brought me there to work. In June, around the time of the second annual Carolina Country Music Festival, which attracted more than 20,000 attendees, Myrtle Beach Adrenaline Adventures submits plans to the city to expand its zipline attraction to occupy more of the 11-acre lot. My condolences to those families. That was a LONG time ago! By signing up, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter, deals, and other occasional updates. All rights It was an awesome place!, The smells of food cooking, the sounds of the people and the merry go round, the bleacher seats where they put on free shows, and the ocean waves behind us!, I loved taking my boys there when they were small. This pint-sized wooden coaster was built by the National Amusement Devices Company and remains a favorite at the park until the late 1960s. MyrtleBeach.com is the Grand Strands largest privately- owned tourism portal. This $2 million compact steel roller coaster features small cars that race around a track that features many quick dips and sharp, hairpin turns. One of the biggest Ferris Wheels in the world was added as well as a Log-Flume, Teacups, a steel Roller-Coaster called the Black Witch while all new buildings and midways were created. As the person who wrote this, perhaps you should learn some manners and ACT like youre from the South. Myrtle Beach's Magic Harbor earned the nickname "Haunted Harbor" after a 13-year-old girl was thrown from its Black Witch coaster on April 3, 1983. The victim fell nearly 40 feet to his death and another rider in that car also fell, hitting other cars before eventually holding onto the frame of the ride and being rescued by park workers and firefighters. Fun times at Mother's Fletchers as well., Going to concerts at the Attic. 17 N. in North Myrtle Beach (Now, Around The World In 18 Holes: Oceanfront mini golf course open in the 1960s and 70s next to, The Pink House: Open from 19472005 as an inn, restaurant, and holiday shop at 4301 N. Kings Hwy. Magic Harbor - Myrtle Beach, SC - (1960s? So, its highly unlikely that Blaynes account is untrue. Oh well, such is life for the new to overtake the old. The shopping center, located just off of U.S. 501 in the Fantasy Harbour area, slowly lost traffic over the years and its parent company went out of business in 2001. money was spent turning the old grounds into a Great, New European Themed British The Seaside Inn, the areas First Hotel, is built in 1901 in the area that would later become known as Myrtle Beach. One of the parks most iconic attractions, German Baden-Band Organ is brought to the Pavilion for the first time. Himalaya while the buildings and grounds were spruced up and given a new coat of paint. Any remembrances would be appreciated. The park closes to the public on Sept. 24, with a ticketed The Last Ride event held on Sept. 30 and a final private party send-off at The Attic in October. 1.2 mi. The carousel loved it. I worked at Magic Harbor from 1984 to 1988. She was a high school senior living on her own for the summer and he and his family treated her like another daughter. I would also like to comment that Blayne Perrys account above is much more similar to what I recall than is the original account by Bret Malone. Again, the park changed hands and the 1.2 mi. Magic Harbor was thriving! The first in many deaths occurred as a Originally called PirateLand, it was renamed for its 1975 re-opening with a revamped British theme. The park did continue to operate as-is after Sherris death, but there were continuous lawsuits against Blackpool Pleasurebeach, LLC from the time of their purchase by local groups, not to be named here, who greedily felt they should have the park and not an international company, even though Blackpool introduced the Worlds Largest Ferris Wheel, at that time and make Magic Harbor a great place. Magic Harbor USA / South Carolina / Surfside Beach / amusement park, abandoned / shut down, historical layer / disappeared object Your email address will not be published. The former Pretzel ride building was converted into an Arcade though. Perry has many more details than I can recall, but from the ones I can remember, his information is consistent with my recollection. I had a GREAT time working there! Ive ridden it at Magic Harbor. The first in many deaths occurred as a Stage Coach Ride tipped over and Killed one person while hurting several others. Log In. Note: A special thanks to Wayne Aiken of Myrtle Beach Remembered for photos provided for this post. I do, however, remember the swings ride, bumper cars and the Scrambler in that area of the park. Senior Citizens from the local it was July 4th in the mid 90s. The Magic Harbor Amusement Park is long gone but remembered fondly by many. I performed in High Steppin Country in Gatlinburg, TN in 1987, the only year the show ran in both Myrtle Beach. A historical marker commemorating the Myrtle Beach Pavilion is placed on the northeast corner of the lot and a small live-music stage and sand volleyball courts are built in the area where the pavilion building once stood. From teen and adult dance clubs to rowdy country music venues and raunchy dives, the old Myrtle Beach bars and nightclubs played host to many coming-of-age tales. It is kind of out of place considering the era the movie was set in. Not far from there across the way was the alligator swamp which provided tons of entertainment if you had a pack of Saltine crackers. Indeed, tragic accidents may have happened there along the way but it sure provided hours of entertainment to many people. If youve done them all, youre an honorary local, but if youve experienced even a few of these experiences first-hand, consider yourself lucky. I distinctly remember this. Magic Harbor Magic Harbor, Myrtle Beach Single-Family Homes Magic Harbor is a neighborhood of homes in Myrtle Beach South Carolina offering an assortment of beautiful styles, varying sizes and affordable prices to choose from. It has a large wooden dance floor located on the second floor along with a stage and grandstands. Once again, a dark cloud appeared as a young women stood-up on the Black Witch coaster and was nearly decapitated, she died. After this tragedy the only safety incident in the history of the park the ride was dismantled and put out of operation. Blackpool wanted to pull out and again, Koch, the owner of the defunct Magic Harbor Amusement Park just south of Myrtle Beach, and his stepson were shot to death outside their trailer at the park shortly after it closed on. Chris at: emai me at achristopher.mathews@gmail.com. A Sky-Ride carried park patrons to and from an island located on the lake. Back in the 1990s, the Waccamaw Factory Shoppes were the place to shop in Myrtle Beach. I went many times but the best being when Santee Cooper rented the park out for employee families. The cowboys and rodeo queens have been replaced by high-flying, swashbuckling buccaneers, but nonetheless, these shows play a part in many Myrtle Beach memories. Contribute a coaster for this park! I find it sad that no mention was made of it. Loved the parade that would go thru the park!, Had so many fun times there and I will never forget The Rainbow ride!, Going dancing at the Magic Attic to Sugarcreek does anyone remember?, Playing skee ball and getting ice cream.