Atlantic Beach in Horry County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Atlantic Beach
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 15, 2009
1. Atlantic Beach Marker
Atlantic Beach, nicknamed "The Black Pearl," was established about 1934 as an oceanfront community for blacks denied access to other area beaches by segregation. Many became year-round residents, but most spent their vacations here. From the 1930s to the 1970s "The Black Pearl" was one of the most popular beach resorts on the East Coast for blacks from Va. to Fla. Its hotels, nights-clubs, restaurants, shops, and pavilion were packed every May to September.
George Tyson was the first to develop this area, from 1934 to 1943. In 1943 the Atlantic Beach Co.- J.W. Seabrook, R.K.Gordon, and P.C.Kelly III-bought the tracts and continued to develop them. As other area beaches began desegregating in the 1970s the beach saw fewer visitors. The town of Atlantic Beach, chartered in 1966 with Emery Gore and Millard Rucker as its first two mayors, is one of a few black-owned and governed oceanfront communities in the United States.
Erected 2005 by Atlantic Beach Historical Society. (Marker Number 26-16.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 33° 48.323′ N, 78° 43.101′ W. Marker is in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Roberts Pavilion / Ocean Drive Pavilion (approx. 2.8 miles away); Washington's Southern Tour (approx. 3.6 miles away); Chestnut Consolidated School (approx. 4 miles away); Fort Randall (approx. 4.6 miles away); Sonny’s Pavilion (approx. 4.6 miles away); Rebecca Randall Bryan (approx. 7.8 miles away); Rev. George Whitefield (approx. 7.8 miles away); Boundary House (approx. 9.3 miles away).
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 15, 2009
2. Atlantic Beach Marker
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 15, 2009
3. Atlantic Beach Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,960 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
