Springmaid Beach, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Springmaid Beach, South Carolina
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Neighborhood and
resort community |
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 Springmaid Beach, South Carolina
Location in South Carolina
Springmaid Beach, South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Horry |
| City | Myrtle Beach |
| Settled | 1948 |
| Time zone | Eastern |
| • Summer (DST) | Eastern |
| ZIP Code |
29577
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| Area code(s) | 843 |
Springmaid Beach is a fun neighborhood and resort area. It is located in Horry County, South Carolina, in the United States. This community is right next to the city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You can find it north of Myrtle Beach State Park on Ocean Boulevard.
Contents
History of the DoubleTree Resort
The DoubleTree Resort was once known as the Springmaid Resort. It has a very interesting history! In 1948, a brave pilot named Colonel Elliott White Springs bought a large piece of land here. It was about 27 acres (11 ha) right on the ocean.
Early Days of the Resort
When the resort first opened, the rooms were very simple. They looked a bit like military barracks. The beds were made of concrete with foam mattresses. To clean the rooms, workers would hose them down! Guests had to bring their own towels and sheets. They even had to make their own beds. A room cost only $2.00 per night, or $1.00 for one bed. These prices stayed the same for almost 30 years.
At first, only employees of Springs Industries, a textile company, could stay there. But in 1953, the resort opened to everyone. It kept the "Springmaid" name until 2016. There was also a big cafeteria where food was served.
How the Resort Grew
Over the years, the resort got better and better. In 1956, they added rooms with a shared bathroom between two rooms. Then, in 1966, they built the first rooms with private bathrooms.
More buildings were added between 1970 and 1973. These new buildings were the first to have air conditioning. Can you imagine a hotel without AC today? Later, in 1989, some of the older rooms were replaced. New buildings were built with televisions in the rooms. Telephones were added to all rooms in 1990.
The resort continued to expand with new towers and a large conference center. By 2001, the resort had 485 rooms! In 2014, a company bought the resort and planned many updates.
Becoming the DoubleTree Resort
In 2016, Hilton Hotels & Resorts bought the Springmaid Beach Resort. Hilton Hotels then renovated the whole place. After the renovations, they changed the name to the DoubleTree Resort.
The Famous Fishing Pier
Springmaid Beach is also known for its long fishing pier. It's a great spot for fishing and enjoying the ocean views!
Challenges and Rebuilding
The first fishing pier was built in 1953. But just one year later, a big storm called Hurricane Hazel destroyed it. The pier was rebuilt in 1959. Sadly, it was destroyed again, this time by an airplane!
In 1973, a new pier was built. This pier stood for many years. However, on October 8, 2016, Hurricane Matthew caused a lot of damage. The storm destroyed the pier once more. This pier was the longest in Myrtle Beach, stretching 1060 feet into the ocean.
The Pier Today
Work to rebuild the pier started in May 2019. It was a big project! The pier finally reopened in July 2020. Now, visitors can once again enjoy fishing and walking along this famous pier.
