Over a century ago, Myrtle Beachwas just a stretch of shore with no houses, condos, or attractions. The area had no name and very few businesses.
It was in the early 1900s that widow of one of the principle founders of Myrtle Beach named the town. Just under 100 years ago in 1906, Myrtle Beach was called "New Town" by the sea. By 1907, this "New Town" had become a popular vacation spot. Beachfront cottage lots sold for a staggering price of $25 each. The town decided to hold a contest to give the town a new name. The contest was won by Addie Burroughs. Miss Addie, suggested "Myrtle Beach" because of the wild wax myrtle bushes that dotted the shoreline.
The wax Myrtle is a large evergreen shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States. Wax Myrtle Bushes produce grayish white fruit coated with a wax most often used in candle making. The berries of the wax myrtle ripen in early fall and cling most of the winter. The aromatic dark green leaves, 3-5" long, cling until late fall. Wax Myrtles do best in full sun in sandy, acid (pH 4.5-5.5) well drained soil. Only female wax myrtle plants bear berries, both sexes must be present (1 male to 6-10 females) for fruit production.
Wax Myrtles can be seen up and down the coast from Oak Island, North Carolina to Pawley's Island, South Carolina. They dot the landscape of many area golf courses including Myrtle Wood Golf Course, Myrtle Beach National, Pine Lakes, (Myrtle Beach's first golf course), and the Myrtle Beach Dunes Club, which is directly on the Oceanfront in downtown Myrtle Beach.
The next time you visit Myrtle Beach, look closely for the image above. This is our famous wax Myrtle, and the genesis of our great city, Myrtle Beach.
