Waccamaw Neck facts for kids

The Waccamaw Neck is a long, narrow piece of land in Georgetown County, South Carolina. It's like a finger of land reaching out, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Waccamaw River on the other. This special area includes the town of Pawleys Island, along with other mainland spots like Litchfield Beach. The Waccamaw Neck is located south of Myrtle Beach and just north of the historic seaport of Georgetown.

What is the Waccamaw Neck?

The Waccamaw Neck is a peninsula, which means it's a piece of land mostly surrounded by water but connected to the mainland on one side. Here, the water on one side is the Atlantic Ocean, and on the other is the Waccamaw River. The entire area shares the Zip Code 29585.

Where is the Waccamaw Neck Located?

This unique area is found in Georgetown County, South Carolina. If you look at a map, it's south of the popular Grand Strand area, which includes Myrtle Beach. It's also just north of the historic city of Georgetown.

Towns and Areas on the Neck

• Pawleys Island is a well-known town located right on the Waccamaw Neck.
• Other areas, like Litchfield Beach and North Litchfield Beach, are also part of this peninsula. These are often called "unincorporated mainland areas" because they don't have their own city government but are still important communities.

A Look at Its History

The Waccamaw Neck has a rich history that goes back a very long time.

Early Inhabitants: The Waccamaw Tribe

Long before European settlers arrived, the Waccamaw Neck was a major hunting and fishing ground for the prehistoric Waccamaw tribe. They lived off the land and water, using the natural resources of the area.

Plantation Life and Summer Homes

Later, from colonial times up to the early 1900s, the river side of the Waccamaw Neck was home to large rice plantations. These plantations grew a lot of rice, which was a very important crop. The families who owned these plantations often built summer homes on the coastal side of the neck. This allowed them to escape the heat and humidity of the plantations during the warmer months.

The Waccamaw Neck Today

Today, the Waccamaw Neck is a busy and popular place. It serves two main purposes:

• Seaside Resort Community: Many people visit the Waccamaw Neck for vacations, enjoying the beaches and ocean.
• Myrtle Beach Suburb: It's also a growing residential area, with many people living there who work in or near the Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand area.

Fun Places to Visit

The Waccamaw Neck is home to several interesting and important cultural and natural spots.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens is a famous sculpture garden and wildlife preserve. It's a beautiful place where you can see amazing art and learn about local animals and plants.

Huntington Beach State Park

Huntington Beach State Park is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy the beach, go birdwatching, or explore the natural beauty of the coast.

Hobcaw Barony and Belle Baruch Nature Preserve

Hobcaw Barony is a large piece of land that used to be several plantations. Between 1905 and 1910, a wealthy businessman named Bernard Baruch bought these lands to create a hunting preserve. Today, part of Hobcaw Barony is the Belle Baruch Nature Preserve. This preserve is used for scientific research and education, helping us learn more about the environment.

The Waccamaw Neck Bikeway

If you like to bike, the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway is a fantastic trail. It's part of the East Coast Greenway, which is a huge system of trails. This Greenway stretches for 3,000 miles, connecting Maine all the way down to Florida!