Myrtle Beach, SC
Georgetown
Historical Georgetown
Georgetown is full of history. There are more than fifty historical buildings in this small town, preserved through the years along with a slower pace that pervades the downtown area, almost as if you're stepping back into time. The area around Georgetown, however, contains steel mills and paper mills, which are of course not at all quaint and peaceful, but which drive the economy of historic Georgetown. Historic, quaint, beautiful downtown Georgetown would not exist if the surrounding mills weren't there. Georgetown's history of newcomers and settlers began in the 1500s', with the arrival of the Spanish, who were everywhere along the coastal and island areas of the eastern Americas. They didn't stay long, however, and quickly moved on to Florida, where they beleieved their fortunes would be made and the centuries-long land grab in that area was about to begin. The colonial era brought rice paddies and plantations to Georgetown, whose convergnece of four rivers made it an ideal region for this water-intensive crop. The four rivers converge in spongy watery land, empty into Winyah Bay, and then head out to the Atlantic Ocean. The four rivers also made Georgetown an important shipping hub in the colonial era, and in 1729 it became the town of Georgetown, bustling with shipping activity and commerce.
Rice plantations in Georgetown required lots of labor, and lots of labor needed to be cheap. With the bustling shipping port activity and the need for cheap labor in the rice paddies, Georgetown saw lots of slave activity. In particular, slaves from West Africa were popular because of their knowledge about rice crops. They provided not only cheap labor, but also expert advice on how to grow the crops. You can learn all about the rice industry at the Rice Museum on Front Street in Georgetown. Some old plantations have also been preserved and are open to the public if you want to get a taste of the old antebellum farming way of life.
Your Stay in Georgetown
Because Georgetown is rich with history, there are some really fabulous old B & Bs for visitors, some dating from the 1700s. If you want something different from the popular hotel-resort chain of accommodations found in Myrtle Beach, and especially if you have a keen sense of history and a healthy dose of curiosity about the Old South, Georgetown really is a wonderful place to stay. To make the experience complete, try and book a stay at a truly authentic historic home. There are several historic B & Bs to choose from. Look for authentic touches that will make your stay perfect, like wide deep porches with rocking chairs for deep relaxation and contemplation. Look for views of the water, harbor views, or river views. Three are rooms with fireplaces, fresh flowers placed throughout, rooms furnished with antiques, and all sorts of wonderful antique details. Breakfast should be top-notch at most of the historical B & Bs in Georgetown, since good ole Southern Hospitality, service and quality is their specialty.
What to do in Georgetown
Your excitement for the Old South will really peak when you visit Hopsewee, an old rice plantation located about twelve miles south of Georgetown. It was actually a rice plantation for about eighty years, starting in 1740, up until the time of the Civil War. Thomas Lynch, Jr. was born here...he was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. You will see wonderful antique furniture when you visit Hopsewee, as well as wonderful landscaped grounds. If you are just interested in the grounds, you can get in cheaper and just drive around without going inside the main house.
The Rice Museum, mentioned earlier, will teach you all about the colonial-era business of rice-growing. There are models and maps and displays that will leave you much more knowledgeable about rice growing in the old south. The Rice Museum makes a good complement to a visit to one of the old rice plantations in the Georgetown area.
The Hampton Plantation State Historic Site is near Georgetown, in McClellanville, located about fifteen miles from Georgetown. Not as preserved or cared-for as Hopsewee, this site offers tours of old unfurnished and unrestored mansion. The surrounding oak trees are just as impressive, and George Washington agreed when he visited here in 1891. One tree in particular captured George Washington's attention, so massive that he convinced the owner never to cut it down. Check it out, there are tours on the hour every hour between 11am and 4pm.
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