Atlantic Beach: Unincorporated town or historic district?

The big news right now in the Grand Strand area of South Carolina is whether or not Atlantic Beach needs to continue as an unincorporated town, or join in with the city limits of North Myrtle Beach and become a historic district of the city. Atlantic Beach (also known as AB) has a lot of history behind it, especially for African Americans.

According to The South Carolina Parks and Tourism website, AB is known as "The Black Pearl". The town was formed by the Gullah/Geechie people of the Sea Islands of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. During the segregation days, blacks were not allowed to visit neighboring Myrtle Beach. So for a day of fun and the sun, many black families gathered together to go to AB.

In 1980, The Carolina Knight Riders Motorcycle Club started the first "Atlantic Beach Bike Fest and Block Party." The event, which was small back then, has now grown to over 200 thousand attendees. This event is now known as "Atlantic Beach Bike Week" or to many "Black Bike Week"

I am a native of South Carolina, orginally from Hemingway, which is about an hour away from Atlantic Beach. By the time I was born, families of all races were able to go to any beach they wanted to. Atlantic Beach was a yearly trip for my family for Memorial Weekend (the same weekend that bike week is held). We would go to the beach and play in the water all day. We would later wash up, get dressed and head down to Myrtle Beach for the Pavilion. That was the best amusement park in South Carolina (I could write another blog about that). After a fun filled day, we would go home.

AB is going through a finanical bind, just like the rest of the country. Right now the options they have are to either to continue to operate as an unincorporated town, or become part of the North Myrtle Beach City limits offically, with the town of Atlantic Beach being marked as an historical district.

I do understand the town council wanting to continue to operate as a town, however if the funding is not available, then I think AB should join in officially with the city of North Myrtle Beach. For years, North Myrtle Beach has been policing their 4 blocks, assisting with the bike rally and other festivals that are near the vicinity. I think there is some fear that the identity and history would be stripped if becoming a part of NMB. Maybe those who are part of the town could still operate it, maintain it, making sure that history is preserved. AB could use some cleaning up of the streets. There was someone who suggested that a few hotels be built in the area but I don't think that would be good, especially when the main part of the bike festival is held there in that open area. What I do think would work is a sound stage in that open area. During the festival alot of shows, and concerts are held. With a sound stage present, there could be alot of outdoor concerts, festivals, art shows in this area and this would boost the economy of both AB and North Myrtle Beach. The bike festival is the only festival that is held for AB. Has anyone else ever considered hosting a community service event or cultural arts event there as well? If not, it is certainly worth looking into.

Whatever the outcome may be, I will always continue to visit Atlantic Beach, either as an unincorporated town or as a historic marker. There are some things that will never be erased, no matter how hard you try. This is one of them.