From family photos snapped on the beach, to foggy memories of cruising the strip, to the silly souvenirs youve kept for a lifetime, theres so much to celebrate about those old Myrtle Beach vacations. PIRATELAND / MAGIC HARBOR 4901 S. King's Highway Myrtle Beach, SC (803) 238-0717 This was a small amusement park approximately 4 miles south of Myrtle Beach, located on Highway 17 south of MB Air Force Base (now Airport). In 1992, the portion of Chester Street that runs through the pavilion is closed off, and the amusement park is expanded to take up the entire area between Eighth and Ninth avenues North from Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway. The place just never recaptured that magic (no pun intended.) Magic Harbor as Corkscrew Myrtle Beach Pavilion as Corkscrew Salitre Magico as Magnus: Videos. I would like to correct some of the mistakes you actually made in your comments, which were quite hurtful to me and my family. I was extremely saddened to read your words. The highlight of our trips would be to tan on the campground beach all day listening to Duran Duran and then spend our evenings walking around the park, the High Stepping Country shows blaring adn thumping in the background, taking in those endless summer evenings. Former status: Operated. My hubby and I rode the rides on our honeymoon! The first in many deaths occurred as a They had the arm wrestling game that wasn't at my local arcade in Monroe, N.C. Just being in that atmosphere was electric for me. I had totally forgotten the puppet shows, but I remember being mesmerized by them as a very young child. In fact, Im pretty sure there wasnt a Perry in sight at that point to confirm any of the operators. There were no tragic deaths, which is probably why your author, Bret Malone, left these owners out. It featured an Opera House, train, sternwheel boat, chairlift out to Skull Island and back on Buccaneer Bay where an alligator lived, as well as a puppet show, pirate fights, an aquatic show(I think), a pirate museum, and a then-new log-flume ride. I operated the upside down roller coaster there in the mid 70s. I was 6 years old. My dad made the best attempt to keep Magic Harbor and Magic Mountain running, but it was by NO fault of his that it closed. This park is commonly referred by locals as "Haunted Harbor" here's a brief history why. That was a LONG time ago! https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Magic_Harbor&oldid=943431746, Defunct amusement parks in the United States, Tourist attractions in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 March 2020, at 21:18. Dancing under the benches beside the Pavilion. Now if only theyd ever finish the Highway 74 project thats been in the works for decades, perhaps traveling to Myrtle Beach would really be a breeze. Finally, Lakewood Camping Resort, the campground that once owned the park and changed its name and theme to The Lighthouse; along with another campground, Pirateland Campground, who occupies the land on the opposite side of what was once Magic Harbor, leased the land and split it down the middle. The park, which also includes a 10,000-sq. company that owned "Blackpool Pleasure Beach" bought into the park. I used to go to Magic Harbor as a child. Log-Flume, Teacups, a steel Roller-Coaster called the "Black Witch" while all The real tradgedy is how much we have grown apart since then and seldom ever see each other as we are all probably looking forward to becoming or already grand parents. First of all, Sherri DePew was not nearly decapitated at all, as I was sitting two cars behind her when she tragically came out of her seat and knocked her head on the rail that enclosed the Black Witch. Want to remember it first-hand? Other rides at the amusement park included bumper cars, a dark ride and other carnival rides. Good memories each and every one., The Magic Attic. It sat unused for years, until, as Malone says, they bulldozed the whole thing. Himalaya while the buildings and grounds were spruced up and given a new coat of paint. It was truly a beautiful place as it was located I would also like to comment that Blayne Perrys account above is much more similar to what I recall than is the original account by Bret Malone. The Seaside Inn, the areas First Hotel, is built in 1901 in the area that would later become known as Myrtle Beach. The former Pretzel ride building was converted into an Arcade though. The "New" One of the biggest Ferris Wheel's in the world was added as well as a I also recall an interesting feature of the log flume in the early slow-moving stages of the ride, I seem to recall that it actually went through some of the shops and the arcade, which was a cool feature one that Ive never seen repeated anywhere else. Magic Harbor was an amusement park located south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that operated from 1954 until the mid-1990s. My Mom and I both worked in the park. Defunct Amusement Parks wishes to thank Bret Was there one by the same name at Magic Harbor as well? Was this park named Pirate Land back in 1971? Man, I miss those times., The Ferris wheels that were side by side were my favorite. a.k.a. The grounds began to take on a sinister look for several years. him with a gun while robbing that day's money take. Sort By: Published . Check out the site for more photos and history of Myrtle Beach. Darin Spencer, CPA, MAcc, MBA (PhD. What happened to the Ferris Wheel and Black Witch? All rights Barbara Meadows Hundley, Browns Summit, N.C. MyrtleBeach.com - 10 Things Myrtle Beach Pavilion Fans Will Love, MyrtleBeach.com - The History of Myrtle Beach Attractions, MyrtleBeach.com - Pavilion Park at Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach Remembered - Myrtle Beach Pavilion, GoToMyrtleBeach.com - Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park: A Look Back, Bring Back The Pavilion - Facebook Fan Page, Amazon.com - "Images of America: Myrtle Beach Pavilion" by Lesta Sue Hardee & Janice McDonald. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I made many friends and always felt part of a big familly that truly cared for one another. Myrtle Magic - This 2-bedroom Myrtle Magic offers accommodation around a 10-minute drive from the outdoor fun Broadway at the Beach Mall, while Myrtle Beach Convention Center is within 2.3 miles away. park is commonly referred by locals as "Haunted Harbor" here's a brief history Everyone always had a smile on and was having a wonderful time. Several name changes didn't help either. During this time locals often gather under the pavilions elevated structure and build fires to stay warm in winter. Perry has many more details than I can recall, but from the ones I can remember, his information is consistent with my recollection. Made a lot of great friends there. My family and I would stay at the Firebird Inn while we were traveling there in the early nineties. Blayne is correct, the Wild West park was not there. The mall was the Skywheel of its time, appearing in endless family pictures in Myrtle Beach in the 1980s. - 1990) Monte Sano Park - Augusta, GA - (Nothing Known) Myrtle Beach Pavilion - SC - (1948 - 2006] [Owners sited financial instability although final season was extrememly busy] Paradise Park - Greenville, NC - (Nothing Known) Originally called PirateLand, it was renamed for its 1975 re-opening with a revamped British theme. I would like to point out that the park has been refered to as Haunted Harbour though. only caused more people to refrain from visiting. Im back. The attraction features six 600-foot ziplines, which span between two towers at 40 mph, and also a free fall experience from a 60-foot tower. This park is commonly referred by locals as Haunted Harbor heres a brief history why. Myrtle Beach: 1970-1981 The park closed due to competition with Pavilion Amusement Park. I was 19 years old. Our three boys went on every ride. The carnival agrees to make its permanent home across the street from the old pavilion on the west side of Ocean Boulevard, as a reinforced concrete version of the main pavilion building is built on the east side of the street. in Myrtle Beach, next to, PirateLand & Magic Harbor: Theme parks open from mid 1960s to early 1990s at 4901 S. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach (Now, KISS Coffeehouse: Rock-themed coffee shop at 1320 Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach (Now Roosters Restaurant & Bar), NASCAR Cafe: Themed restaurant at corner of 21st Avenue North and U.S. 17 Bypass (Now, Broadway Theatre: Movie theater at 811 Main St. in downtown Myrtle Beach (Now Encore Video Productions), The Pad: Shag club at Main Street and Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach from 19551987 (Now part of, Club Kryptonite: Off of U.S. 17 Bypass near 29th Avenue North (Now. The accident was as he said. At the height of its popularity the store served as the hub of the Waccamaw Factory Shoppes, an enormous 750,000-square-foot outlet shopping complexat the time, the nations third largestthat included more than 100 stores. I went to the magic shows when I was a child. turned to tragedy as a worker at the park, broke into the park managers office shooting again, a dark cloud appeared as a young women stood-up on the "Black Witch" I was just trying to clarify Bret Malones misinformed recounting of the Parks history. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. 1.2 mi. We spoke on the phone with them frequently. If youre one of the select few who chose to brave The Great Recession in 2008-09 to visit Myrtle Beach and actually attend one of the parks two incarnations, then chances are you actually enjoyed your time there. Thank you very much for your comment. If anyone has some would you please share them with us. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. It did seem to be somewhat cursed (though it has never been referred to as Haunted Harbor), and they had a hard time re-leasing it. I do have one question who were the people suing for business reasons and not reasons related to any of the tragic deaths that occurred? The downtown area sees the addition of amusement park rides near the pavilion, and a paved, concrete walkway replaces the former wooden boardwalk. Blyane got his start in the show and went on study and work in New York City. I visited the park in the 70s and very often in the early 80s; I had a high school friend who worked there. The city has always owned the land, and just leased it to the owners of the Park/Parks over the years. The site is now occupied by two campgrounds. Way before this place was Magic Harbor, it was Pirateland, just as the campground next door still is. Maps. My dad moved his entire family over to America from England and with three of us in school and no family in this area, he didnt not want to uproot us again. They put in several portable rides like a Sky Diver, Sooper Loop, Himalaya while the buildings and grounds were spruced up and given a new coat of paint. The pavilion adds its first steel roller coaster, the Corkscrew. The Ferris wheel was big. Oh well, such is life for the new to overtake the old. The teen, who was riding with his 12-year-old sister and 15-year-old friend at the time of the accidents, had been rocking the rides car and was warned by the ride operator to stop, but eventually their car tipped over and the safety bar broke. He did keep Magic Mountain open, as my father successfully ran on Mr. Thompsons behalf and I worked for him for a few summers myself. ft. nightclub, is eventually bought out by Burroughs & Chapin in 1981. I know because I worked there and am actually writing a novel about it. Our family went here every time we were in Myrtle Beach. The corkscrew roller coaster was at Magic Harbor first. They were BBQ with lettuce, finely shredded cheese & a tomato wedge Not like the tacos that are served these days!, We always rolled into Myrtle Beach on the street beside the rides, and we were always excited to see the Pavilion. The park did continue to operate as-is after Sherris death, but there were continuous lawsuits against Blackpool Pleasurebeach, LLC from the time of their purchase by local groups, not to be named here, who greedily felt they should have the park and not an international company, even though Blackpool introduced the Worlds Largest Ferris Wheel, at that time and make Magic Harbor a great place. As a lifelong resident of the MB area, I also have to question the original poster as to the veracity of his claims. These airplane bottles packed quite a wallop, holding roughly 75% more per pour than the average shot. Despite several down years leading up to the closure, the park experiences a renaissance in its Farewell Season with increased business, and several online petitions circulate in an effort to save the park. Vacationers reliving Myrtle Beach in the 1990s will remember the dinner shows at Dixie Stampede. From its origins as a turn-of-the-century gathering place to its early days as a bowling alley, shooting range and dancehall to its six-decade run as the areas premier oceanfront amusement park, The Pavilion is a sure source of memories for most any Myrtle Beach fan. It was some kind of plastic and you couldnt skate on it at all. Occupying a small portion of the amusement parks space near the Kings Highway side of the lot, Myrtle Beach Adrenaline Adventures opens a zipline attraction on the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion area. There was no packing up and leaving town as you incorrectly wrote. The first in many deaths occurred as a Stage Coach Ride tipped over and Killed one person while hurting several others. Problem was, the ticket prices were a bit steep (originally pegged at $50 per person) for what was offered and the park couldnt have opened at a worse time, when many loyal vacationers were staying home due to financial concerns. Yes it was. The ride that. As far as I know, they still own and operate Lakewood Camping Resort. A historical marker commemorating the Myrtle Beach Pavilion is placed on the northeast corner of the lot and a small live-music stage and sand volleyball courts are built in the area where the pavilion building once stood. After shutting the Side Show down, the lease reverted back to the city. The only thing Myrtle Beach has now days is that small Ocean Drive Pavilion park in North Myrtle and South Myrtle has those rides at Broadway at the Beach & Family Kingdom, which has that classic Swamp Fox wooden coaster & Chance Giant Wheel sitting out by Ocean Blvd. Jul 20, 2016 - This Pin was discovered by Maria Sellers. This article about an amusement park is a stub. The park Magic Harbor - Myrtle Beach, SC - (1960s? Blaynes account is highly credible. parking lot were operated by a local person as a separate attraction. why. Contribute a coaster for this park! Ive had many jobs since and none have ever treated its employees as well as we were all treated at Magic Harbor. The park the writer is confused with was Fort Caroline. I went to Pirateland the first time in 1967. closed due to this and bad word of mouth. 7 Closed Myrtle Beach Amusement Parks (R.I.P) - CondoLux; 8 Haunted Magic Harbor/Pirate land-Myrtle Beach, SC; 9 Magic Harbor, Myrtle Beach Amusement Park Poster ."Haunted; 10 Magic Harbor Surfside Beach, SC; 11 15 Most Deadly Roller Coaster Accidents - Grunge; 12 10 Abandoned Amusement Parks With Horrific Histories [Disturbing] 13 . This upscale district features shopping, dining, and the Grand Park Athletic Complex, one of the largest in the area. some things really trigger my memories of being there. I remember sitting on steps of an outside theater and I was once called on stage. Not far from there across the way was the alligator swamp which provided tons of entertainment if you had a pack of Saltine crackers. It was after the removal of the Corkscrew that the park went downhill by means of several changes of ownership. Note: A special thanks to Wayne Aiken of Myrtle Beach Remembered for photos provided for this post. The cowboys and rodeo queens have been replaced by high-flying, swashbuckling buccaneers, but nonetheless, these shows play a part in many Myrtle Beach memories. Malone for providing all the information on this page, 2000 Joel W Styer. Were they sold or torn down? Todays retail options in Myrtle Beach are plentiful, including Tanger Outlets, Myrtle Beach Mall and Market Common, to name a few. It is kind of out of place considering the era the movie was set in. We were and are still so sad it's gone. I performed in High Steppin Country in Gatlinburg, TN in 1987, the only year the show ran in both Myrtle Beach. Visitors looking to let loose on vacation in Myrtle Beach in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s counted on nightclubs like Mother Fletchers, The Freaky Tiki, Studebakers, The Beachwagon, the Magic Attic, and The Afterdeck for fun. Lol riding the water slide when I was t afraid of heights was great and the Ferris wheel. I used to love riding them with my Papaw and once we got to the top and on the way down, we could see over the top of the buildings to the ocean. Great times., I remember playing Skee-Ball at the Pavilion. Ive ridden it at Magic Harbor. Ive lived horry county all my life and havent heard of Haunted Harbor. Its signature ride was the large Astro Needle, which was 200 feet high and rotated as it moved up and down. Oh my goodness I stumbled across these posts while doing some research for a trip and I so enjoyed this little walk down memory lane. Maybe not in legal name, but since the accident it did gain that nickname. and BTW, I have lived in MB my entire life and never has the name Haunted Harbor been used,,, Tragic Harbor yes, cause whenever someone is hurt or killed it is Tragicbut if people would read the damn signs on the rides theyd probably still be alive!!!! Rained most of the time but didn't matter. The site is now occupied by two campgrounds. If anyone knows the history of Magic Harbor, its Blayne Perry. As the Myrtle Beach area grows in population, tourism increases at a steady pace throughout the 1930s. Growing up and first few years going to Myrtle, I remembered seeing another Great fun but it only lasted one year under that ownership. Though these clubs have moved on, there are still plenty of bars, clubs, and places to dance,including Riptydz, and the long-running 3001 Nightlife (formerly 2001 Nightclub) and The Bowery for vacationers to make new memories. Myrtle Beach, SC. Beginning in 1951, the annual Sun Fun Festival held in downtown Myrtle Beach was a fundraising event and a celebration of all things beachy about our area. Mother Fletchers closed in 2004 and The Freaky Tiki in Myrtle Beach closed before the 2006 season. A historical marker commemorating the Myrtle Beach Pavilion is placed on the northeast corner of the lot and a small live-music stage and sand volleyball courts are built in the area where the pavilion building once stood. After serving as a front-line base throughout the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War, the base closed for good in 1993, sparking a variety of ideas as to its future use. This two-story structure is built over a long wooden boardwalk, which stretches north to the 14th Avenue Pier. (Now, Cagneys Old Place: 9911 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach (Now, Astroneedle Amusement Park: Between 8th Avenue North and Chester Street (Now, Rivoli Theatre: 904 Chester St. in Myrtle Beach (Now Ground Zero Teen Club), Chapins department store: Open from 19281992 on U.S. 501 near Kings Highway (Now, The Purple Gator: Concert venue in the 1980s to mid-90s in Myrtle Beach, located at the Magnolia Shopping Center off of Kings Highway near, Marvins Food & Games: 918 N. Ocean Blvd., along Myrtle Beach Boardwalk (Now, Gatlin Brothers Theatre & Ronnie Milsap Theatre: Two separate show venues open in the mid-1990s in the Fantasy Harbour area (Now Christ United Methodist Church and Beach Church, respectively), Camelot Theatre: Open from the late 1960s to early 1990s at 1901 N. Kings Hwy. Id never heard it referred to as Haunted Harbor, but instead as Tragic Harbor. taken away to go to a large State Fair up North, by the end of the season, all the rides His family owned the park when it was successful. Your email address will not be published. It really takes me back. Did you know that Magic Harbor at the time was the largest amusement park on the south atlantic coast? It is true that the name Tragic Harbor (as a play on Magic Harbor) was, and is, used to reference the Park for many reasons: the obvious tragedies that occurred, the multiple ownerships, the questionable business tactics and employee treatment from the British group, etc Thanks for the comment Ky! My father loved playing the jukebox! Getting an airbrushed t shirt out front and hearing all the screams from people riding the rides. To all the cute high-school aged guy MH employees that we teenaged girls swooned over: Ken at the log flume (looked like tvs Peter Brady!) Videos. they would happily let us ride over and over if possible. It was funny to watch little kids try! Eating ice cream and watching the traffic go by, those were childhood memories, and I remember riding the rides as well!, I miss The Pavilion!! It did not make wise financial sense for Mr. Thompson to continue to invest money into MH when he was constantly paying unwarranted attorney fees to defend what he rightfully purchased and tried to do well. The Perry family (Phil, Tony, Rhonda, Gail) treated us like gold. ). My dad wasnt given the park to make a go of it whatsoever. In the mid 1990's, a Carnival Ride Company took lease of MyrtleBeach.com is the Grand Strands largest privately- owned tourism portal. I still maintain friendships with former employees who adored my dad and the tireless efforts he put into Magic Harbor. I remember alligator shows, airlift rides, the log plume, and this gigantic thing you got in and the floor dropped out of. MAGIC HARBOR, MYRTLE BEACH AMUSEMENT PARK POSTER ."HAUNTED HARBOR" PIRATE LAND Condition: -- Price: US $475.00 $42.86 for 12 months with PayPal Credit* Buy It Now Add to cart Best Offer: Make offer Add to Watchlist Ships from United States 7 watchers Shipping: FREEExpedited Shipping | See details Park Not to mention alot of GOOD friends where made for life times. It was truly a beautiful place as it was located above a lake with a campground (still in use) on the other side of the lake. Before country legend Dolly Parton ever strapped on a costume to promote Pirates Voyage, she opened the Western-themed Dixie Stampede in 1992. Throughout the 1980s, several smaller additions are made to the park, including the addition of a small train-themed coaster called the Little Eagle that opened in 1986. new buildings and midways were created. (Now part of, Chesterfield Inn: This oceanfront hotel and inn at 700 N. Ocean Blvd. I remember by mom and aunt doing this when I was little. Despite massive damages to the tune of $420 million across the country, the storm did not take down the reinforced pavilion structure, which became a symbol of perseverance for the town during a tragic time. And I had forgotten how the park changed into The Lighthouse Christian amusement park. The grounds were thickly wooded and the grounds had several man-made lakes centered around a games area. The shopping center ran successfully for three decades before shutting down for good in 2005. Same color of teal blue and everything. Lets take a look at some of the special moments, businesses, and landmarks that defined trips to Myrtle Beach for generations. Amusement Park. Okay, okay, we aint movin! If youve done them all, youre an honorary local, but if youve experienced even a few of these experiences first-hand, consider yourself lucky. I had a few friends say it is the same one, but I cannot confirm that. I must have ridden the log flume over 100 times one summer! They both created small communities -They call them Villa Communities where they built modular homes that people use as their vacation homes because they love the campground atmosphere, but no longer cared to drive a big RV. I still maintain friendships with former employees who adored my dad and the tireless efforts he put into Magic Harbor. I remember my dad going to blackpool to work and coming home not much caring for being out of the states. in Myrtle Beach (Now La Casona Mexican Restaurant), Santa Fe Station: Restaurant located at 1101 Hwy. The former Myrtle Beach Farms, now called Burroughs & Chapin, buys out the Central Amusement Company. The park had struggled to make it and this The park closed due to this and bad word of mouth. Used to sit in there for hours with my grandfather playing the baseball games., Sitting up top near the club watching the traffic and people below., Going [to the Pavilion] every vacation as a kid, I loved the wall with the sculptures that made music., I miss the good old days at the Myrtle Beach pavilion., Skee ball and riding the Himalaya ride with my cousin and of course a dip cone., The years from 1953-1958, I was 14 when my family would go to watch dancers at the Pavilion! And the cool sign on the highway, which you can google. It was a miserable failure, and the city finally shut it down (it actually looked like a traveling side show, and employed a lot of unsavory characters imported from England).
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