Myrtle Beach Pavilion - History

History

Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, S.C., The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park entertained generations of families for 58 years. An 11-acre (45,000 m2) amusement park by the Atlantic Ocean, The Pavilion featured more than 40 rides ranging from the kiddie variety to the one known as Hurricane Category 5, the largest wooden roller coaster in South Carolina. The Pavilion’s main building, which housed The Attic, was located on the east side of Ocean Boulevard, while the amusement park itself occupied the west side.

The first Pavilion building was a one-story wooden structure attached to Myrtle Beach’s first hotel, the long-since demolished Seaside Inn. This first Pavilion was used as an annex and gathering place for Inn guests. It burned to the ground in 1920 and was replaced by a wooden two-story Pavilion in 1925. It was in this Pavilion building that “shagging” became the hot new dance at the beach. In 1944 this second Pavilion building was also destroyed by fire, but in 1948, owner Burroughs & Chapin constructed a new Pavilion, this time using reinforced concrete walls, the first structure of its kind along the Grand Strand. It weathered Hurricane Hazel, which in 1954 destroyed much of Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront, and it was this building that remained in use until it was demolished in late 2006.

The gradual development of the Pavilion Amusement Park on the west side of Ocean Boulevard across from the main Pavilion building began in 1948 when a traveling carnival playing the annual Tobacco Festival in nearby Conway, S.C. caught the interest of the Burroughs & Chapin company. An agreement was eventually signed, and the carnival made its permanent home directly in front of and to the west of the Pavilion. Ice skaters, bear acts, dance troupes, and talent shows were also brought in. In 1950 Burroughs & Chapin bought out Central Amusement Company and added that company’s 14 rides to the amusement park. Thirty-eight trucks were needed to haul in the new rides which were soon joined by several concession stands. The park's evolution continued as its owners searched the country and abroad for new rides to add. For decades, the Myrtle Beach Pavilion provided family entertainment to residents and tourists alike.

In 1970, the AstroNeedle, at 200 feet (61 m) the tallest attraction in the downtown area, was built. When Burroughs & Chapin bought more property and the Pavilion was expanded all the way to Kings Highway, the ride was taken down.