Though not affiliated with the original park, another nearby attraction adds to the draw of downtown Myrtle Beach when the Astro Needle Amusement Park opens across the street from the Pavilion at the corner of Chester Street and Eighth Avenue North. Until as Malone points out, a young girl stood up on the roller coaster, and died from her near decapitation. I was actually looking to see if the park was still running and to my dismay, it is not. him with a gun while robbing that day's money take. My father was born in Pennsylvania and moved us all to Myrtle Beach from England in 1981, specifically for Magic Harbor, after working for Mr. Thompson at another of his parks in England. Tony was our production manager. I seem to remember being very afraid of that. there were a lot of state fair type rides that werent part of the original MH. The park originated as a Wild, Wild West Theme Park in the 1960,s complete with Way before this place was Magic Harbor, it was Pirateland, just as the campground next door still is. Loved the parade that would go thru the park!, Had so many fun times there and I will never forget The Rainbow ride!, Going dancing at the Magic Attic to Sugarcreek does anyone remember?, Playing skee ball and getting ice cream. We got stuck and got hit in the rear. closed due to this and bad word of mouth. She also obviously knew the Perrys well and they were always friendly and welcoming. This park is commonly referred by locals as Haunted Harbor heres a brief history why. I was 6 years old. A lot of The pirates used a small cannon to make a big boom at the paddlewheel boat, and during one such exhibition, the cannon blew up, sending my brother the pirate over a building. 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. Before massive malls like the million-square-foot Coastal Grand and entertainment complexes like Broadway at the Beach dominated the areas retail landscape, there was a memorable must-visit shopping spot in the center of town called Myrtle Square Mall. I live and grew up in the community thats right across 17 from where Magic Harbor used to be. I would like to correct some of the mistakes you actually made in your comments, which were quite hurtful to me and my family. The Roundup I used to be afraid it would come loose and roll down the street. Facts. Thriving until they changed the name to The Lighthouse, and the theme of the park to a Christian Theme Park (Possibly the first Christian themed theme-park in the US long before PTL, etc). As horrific as her death was, you all make it worse with comments like that. Blackpool wanted to pull out and again, the park grounds and buildings were put up for sale, the rides removed and sold off. The Corkscrew was the name of that coaster. 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. Now I cant say how all that worked there where treated, but I do know that I never saw anyone unhappy at thier job. 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. Magic Harbor was an amusement park located south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that operated from 1954 until the mid-1990s. A similar ride is still in operation today at nearby Family Kingdom amusement park. Youd be right! The ride is scrapped except for the trains, which are sold to Kings Island Amusement Park in Ohio. Im not sure when it was started or when it ended, but it was thriving during the moon-launch summer of 1969. the buildings were built two-thirds scale to those in Charleston. Secondly the manager from Blackpool to whom you referred is my father, Carl. Growing up and first few years going to Myrtle, I remembered seeing another When fans remember the old Myrtle Beach of the 1980s and 1990s, Mother Fletchers, Freaky Tiki, Purple Gator, and the Pavilion all come to mind. were gone, the lights turned out for the last time. 4640 Highway 17 S., N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (843) 272-3000 MYRTLE BEACH PAVILION It's finally closed and destroyed, after all these years. But its first home in Myrtle Beach was at Magic Harbor, unless I am mistaken and its not the same coasterbut I am pretty sure it was. It's Such teenage memories of friends and fun a very memorable place. Geoffrey Thompson owned three additional amusement parks in England and never maintained an office in Myrtle Beach. I was friends with Sherri DePew the girl who died in the Black Witch. You wont find a coaster quite like the Hurricane in Myrtle Beach today, but the Family Kingdom on Ocean Boulevard features the Swamp Fox with a 75-foot drop, and you can still recapture some of the old Myrtle Beach magic at the Pavilion Park at Broadway at the Beach. I think it had been closed for awhile and opened for a few days. Note: A special thanks to Wayne Aiken of Myrtle Beach Remembered for photos provided for this post. The victim fell nearly 40 feet to his death and another rider in that car also fell, hitting other cars before eventually holding onto the frame of the ride and being rescued by park workers and firefighters. The building features various amusements, including a bowling alley, a .22-caliber shooting gallery, and an area for dining and dancing. It featured parades, celebrity appearances, concerts, dances, bikini competitions, and more. 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. I was just trying to clarify Bret Malones misinformed recounting of the Parks history. I have a terrible memory, hence why I am always searching for things to remind me. There was no packing up and leaving town as you incorrectly wrote. My father was born in Pennsylvania and moved us all to Myrtle Beach from England in 1981, specifically for Magic Harbor, after working for Mr. Thompson at another of his parks in England. My hubby and I rode the rides on our honeymoon! I made many friends and always felt part of a big familly that truly cared for one another. Malone for providing all the information on this page, 2000 Joel W Styer. After this tragedy the only safety incident in the history of the park the ride was dismantled and put out of operation. The indoor ice rink was located there as well, only, its wasnt real ice. Check out these great websites and resources: One grand prize winner will receive a 3-Night Stay at Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark Plus an Amazing Prize Pack! The "New" This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. From the human checkerboard games to the Sun Fun Jaila place for anyone breaking from wearing summer attirethis festival was wholesome family fun at its finest. 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. The Corkscrew rollercoaster was front and left of center of the entrance at the park in the mid-late 1970s. Or yet another tragedy? Please email any pictures you would like to share to [email protected]. Getting an airbrushed t shirt out front and hearing all the screams from people riding the rides. My dad always got a slice and we tried his!, Taking our son to ride all the rides after sunbathing all day. You write: 1.2 mi. They didnt actually shut the park down, they did legally, but technically they still owned it. Located 4 miles south of Myrtle Beach on the old !, Spent so many hours at the Magic Attic! Trust me, we didnt like them there any more than anyone else. 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. Now my dad has passed away and I sit almost daily trying to find out anything I can about him. Heres a few of our favorites: Check out these great images of the Pavilion area taken from historic postcards from the 1960s (Click here to see more great postcards): Want to learn even more about the Pavilion? This beloved Myrtle Beach dinner show ran for 18 years and hosted tons of families making memories noshing on down home cookin and cheering on the North and the South in a competition that featured horse riding, lassoing, pig races, and much more. Perhaps the most memorable of all the malls features was its huge lighted clock. So, its highly unlikely that Blaynes account is untrue. It was my best friends step father that was murdered Labor day weekend in 1976. And I had forgotten how the park changed into The Lighthouse Christian amusement park. There were no tragic deaths, which is probably why your author, Bret Malone, left these owners out. Magic Harbour - CoasterBuzz Magic Harbour Details News Map Trip Reports Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA Roller coasters at Magic Harbour Is a roller coaster missing? It was novel at first, and attendance was high. Maps; Parks nearby. With the first trains running from Conway to the newly founded New Town around the start of the century, a place to stay is needed at the beach. 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. A Sky-Ride carried park patrons to and from an island located on the lake. You can google pictures. MYRTLE BEACH PAVILION AMUSEMENT PARK Ocean Blvd 8th-9th Ave N The amusement park across Ocean Blvd is also closed and torn down. Magic Harbor was an amusement park located south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that operated from 1954 until the mid-1990s. Lots of great memories and good friendships formed that summer. park opened to great fanfare and fireworks on Memorial Day Weekend, but without Major We always made sure we had pockets full of quarters because Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede and Q-bert were ALL the rage! Fun times at Mother's Fletchers as well., Going to concerts at the Attic. Defunct Roller Coasters: 3. In all the toll from the accident was one killed and 8 injured, with four riders having fallen out of the ride. This park opened in 1970 and was located on 8th Avenue North. Originally called PirateLand, it was renamed for its 1975 re-opening with a revamped British theme. Himalaya while the buildings and grounds were spruced up and given a new coat of paint. There was also an ice skating show. Required fields are marked *. Maybe not in legal name, but since the accident it did gain that nickname. After the original Seaside Inn pavilion burns in 1920, it is replaced by a new, larger oceanfront pavilion, which opens in 1923 on the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard. Sort By: Published Views Rating. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Secondly the manager from Blackpool to whom you referred is my father, Carl. Trust us, if youre trying to get from Surfside Beach to Little River or from Conway to North Myrtle Beach, you should be glad roads like S.C. 31 and S.C. 22 exist. why. Great times., I remember playing Skee-Ball at the Pavilion. They pass by it on the Boulevard. To me then it was a Pirate ship, but due to the theme more likely just an old ship with sails..British stylelol. They are the ones who built the Water Slide (the first fiberglass slide on the East Coast), built the Log Flume, added the Corkscrew Roller-coaster, a live Dolphin Show, had Hot Air Balloon rides, and built the High Steppin Country Theater creating what would become the longest running show in Myrtle Beach). Blayne- You can see the Corkscrew by watching Shag-The Movie starring Phoebe Cates. The park introduces two new rides, the Enterprise and the Mind Scrambler, which is an update of the classic Scrambler ride in a new building with flashing lights and music. The park originated as a Wild, Wild West Theme Park in the 1960,s complete with Cowboys, Indians, gunfights and more. Its signature ride was the large Astro Needle, which was 200 feet high and rotated as it moved up and down. Anybody else rememebr the skating rink you skated on wax (it think) with ice skates. Now all that remains of it is a huge vacant lot occasionally used for special events, like the Run to the Sun Car Show. Geoffrey Thompson owned three additional amusement parks in England and never maintained an office in Myrtle Beach. I visited the park in the 70s and very often in the early 80s; I had a high school friend who worked there. T., Sorry to have not given more details about the murders to include the others murdered back in 1976. The place just never recaptured that magic (no pun intended.) The accident was as he said. The grounds began to take on a sinister look for several years. 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. a.k.a. Those were some of the best summers of my life. Perry has many more details than I can recall, but from the ones I can remember, his information is consistent with my recollection. The Corkscrew rollercoaster was long gone by then. in Myrtle Beach (Now La Casona Mexican Restaurant), Santa Fe Station: Restaurant located at 1101 Hwy. They were and are the first family of Myrtle Beach. My dad wasnt given the park to make a go of it whatsoever. All rights Id love to be able to go again, it was a awesome place! I am doing some scrapbooks and dont really have any good pictures of the park itself just my friends. This park was commonly referred by locals as "Haunted Harbor" here's a brief history why. Yes it was. Navigating the old Myrtle Beach streets during the pre-Bypass days are memories that stick with vacationers. Reports New for 2024 New for 2023 New for 2022 Census Record Holders World View Inversions. As far as I know, they still own and operate Lakewood Camping Resort. The inaugural Carolina Country Music Festival is held in June on the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion site. When it was open, Magic Harbor was a wonderful park. Blackpool wanted to pull out and again, I had the biggest crush on one of the other performers. 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. I also remember that the Island Hopper chairlift skyride made its turn on a tiny island near the campground and it had goats below keeping the grass at a reasonable level. - 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) There was a paddlewheel boat that went around a small lake and the pirates would attack it as well. You wrote a great little memory piece right up till the end there. As young girls I think we all fell in love with any number of cute high school guys working there each and every summer! 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. As a new generation of visitors experience the joys of the pavilion at Broadway at the Beachs latest incarnation Pavilion Park many in the older generation are left missing the original. Even with the addition of many highways over the past several decades, getting from place to place can still be a dicey proposition during the busy season. The arcade was always happening! All the employees seemed to be friends with one another and enjoy their jobs. St John the Baptist Greek . 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). 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. The Thompsons packed up and left town. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Id just like to point out that, while an interesting idea for a story, a lot of the information in the article by Bret Malone about Magic Harbor was incorrect. But the park was indeed Pirateland from 1964 until sometime in the mid to later 70s. Discover (and save!) The Perry family created the longest running live show in Myrtle Beach, High Steppin Country. The corkscrew roller coaster was at Magic Harbor first. The grounds still remain vacant, awaiting a new beginning or another use possibility? Originally called PirateLand, it was renamed for its 1975 re-opening with a revamped British theme. I sure do miss this place. Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Date: 1980. who was heading off to study at Clemson University, Andy at The Bucket drop, Sir Hugh at the pub, Bryan, Scott, Johnny, etcyou guys were truly charming! For more than 30 years, South Carolina was known for serving the strongest drinks in the nation, due to a state law that required all bars to serve liquor exclusively from mini bottles. Thank you very much for your comment. above a lake with a campground (still in use) on the other side of the lake. ). As a family, we loved playing skee-ball and playing the baseball machines. You write: herefor the special page of Pavilion pictures. The stretch of Ocean Boulevard near the pavilion becomes the prime spot for cruising the strip, and the pavilions 2,000-capacity dance hall stays busy with a steady stream of events including shag dances and concerts from beach music groups and national acts including Jerry Lee Lewis, The Temptations and many more. The attraction spans three areas, including the Pavilion Park East (the former Pavilion Nostalgia Park), Pavilion Park West (a kid-focused area) and Pavilion Park South (an area focused on thrilling rides). It was funny to watch little kids try! Built in 1940 as a World War II training base, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base hosted thousands of U.S. troops over more than 50 years in operation. 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. The park originated as a Wild, Wild West Theme Park in the 1960,s complete with Cowboys, Indians, gunfights After celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011, the event was canceled due to financing, but came back in 2016 and continues today. Who would know better than someone who has lived right next door to the property since birth? Wow. your own Pins on Pinterest Check out the site for more photos and history of Myrtle Beach. The city has always owned the land, and just leased it to the owners of the Park/Parks over the years. Lets take a look at some of the special moments, businesses, and landmarks that defined trips to Myrtle Beach for generations. Koch, the owner of the defunct Magic Harbor Amusement Park just south of Myrtle Beach, and his stepson were shot to death outside their trailer at the park shortly after it closed on. Previous coasters Corkscrew 1975-1977 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. It was the summer after I lost my brother and my dad brought me there to work. The park The new owners did not change the park at all. The former Myrtle Beach Farms, now called Burroughs & Chapin, buys out the Central Amusement Company. the park grounds and buildings were put up for sale, the rides removed and sold off. The Magic Harbor Amusement Park is long gone but remembered fondly by many. Its apparently been relocated to South America: http://rcdb.com/307.htm, when i was a kid, i really enjoyed going up and down on water slides, it is a very enjoyable experience -`. New rides added during this time include the Pipeline Slide, a huge dryslide; the Cliff Hanger, a spinning hang-gliding ride; The Rocket, a 200-foot-tall tower with spinning, flipping swings; and The Speed XXL, where riders are spun around at speeds of up to 50 mph and heights of up to 130 feet. 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. I can precisely say NOT ONE of them was from England, as you incorrectly wrote. Would love to hear from you Blayne. Some insist life moved at a slower pace back then and fondly remember visiting in the 1970s and early 1980s, before Myrtle Beach tourism and development really took off. By signing up, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter, deals, and other occasional updates. Booked. There was an accident, but it didnt close the park. 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!! Magic Harbor - Myrtle Beach, SC - (1960s? Defunct, Operated. Darin Spencer, CPA, MAcc, MBA (PhD. I would like to correct some of the mistakes you actually made in your comments, which were quite hurtful to me and my family. Blayne, I hope you can correct your inaccuracies. it was July 4th in the mid 90s. As the Myrtle Beach area grows in population, tourism increases at a steady pace throughout the 1930s. Occupying its space, the Mad Mouse opens in 1998. In fact, Im pretty sure there wasnt a Perry in sight at that point to confirm any of the operators. A tribute to the classic era of Myrtle Beach attractions that once lined the coastline. Or yet another tragedy? Were they sold or torn down? MYRTLE BEACH Pirateland and Lakewood campgrounds could soon own the property they operate on, potentially ending a decades long lease agreement with the city of Myrtle Beach. 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. Whew! The parking lot was leased out to the carneys to try and bring in some revenue to offset the legal fees. So glad I found this. The park the writer is confused with was Fort Caroline. 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. 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. The ride that. This too turned to tragedy as a worker at the park, broke into the park managers office shooting him with a gun while robbing that days money take. Once again, a dark cloud appeared as a young women stood-up on the Black Witch coaster and was nearly decapitated, she died. I doubt Blayne remembers me but my bff at the time was dating his brother, Tony. The ride was a 3,800-foot-long, hybrid-structure coaster that featured an out-and-back style layout with 14 turns, a 100-foot drop, and a top speed of 55 mph. Maps. (Oh yeah! I was 19 years old. They went searching for a buyer, and found one in Jeffery Thompson who does, in fact, own Pleasure Beach theme park in Blackpool, England.

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