Myrtle Beach Pavilion
Encyclopedia
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion was an amusement park
located on the corner of 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
. Considered by many as the "heart" of Myrtle Beach, the Pavilion sat one block away from the beach itself in a pedestrian-populated area, surrounded by similar attractions. The pay-per-ride Pavilion park was once a major destination in Myrtle Beach, even being voted #1 Family Attraction in Myrtle Beach by the Travel Channel.
of Ocean Boulevard, while the amusement park itself occupied the west side.
The first Pavilion building was a one-story wooden structure attached to Myrtle
Beach’s first hotel, the long-since demolished Seaside Inn. This first Pavilion was used as an annex and gathering place for Inn guests. It burned to the ground in 1920 and was replaced by a wooden two-story Pavilion in 1925. It was in this Pavilion building that “shagging”
became the hot new dance at the beach. In 1944 this second Pavilion building was also
destroyed by fire, but in 1948, owner Burroughs & Chapin constructed a new Pavilion, this time
using reinforced concrete walls, the first structure of its kind along the Grand Strand. It
weathered Hurricane Hazel
, which in 1954 destroyed much of Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront, and it was this building that remained in use until it was demolished in late 2006.
The gradual development of the Pavilion Amusement Park on the west side of Ocean Boulevard across from the main Pavilion building began in 1948 when a traveling carnival playing the annual Tobacco Festival in nearby Conway, S.C. caught the interest of the Burroughs & Chapin company. An agreement was eventually signed, and the carnival made its permanent home directly in front of and to the west of the Pavilion. Ice skaters, bear acts, dance troupes, and talent shows were also brought in. In 1950 Burroughs & Chapin bought out Central Amusement Company and added that company’s 14 rides to the amusement park. Thirty-eight trucks were needed to haul in the new rides which were soon joined by several concession stands. The park's evolution continued as its owners searched the country and abroad for new rides to add. For decades, the Myrtle Beach Pavilion provided family entertainment to residents and tourists alike.
In 1970, the AstroNeedle, at 200 feet (61 m) the tallest attraction in the downtown area, was built. When Burroughs & Chapin bought more property and the Pavilion was expanded all the way to Kings Highway, the ride was taken down.
The Pavilion's other historical treasure is the Baden Band Organ. This organ was built at Waldkirch Baden, Germany by A. Ruth & Sohn, who hand-carved its ornate wooden figurines and decorations. The organ was first exhibited in Paris at the World Exposition of 1900. Afterwards
it was moved from town to town in Europe on a wagon pulled by a team of six horses. The organ is 20 feet (6.1 m) long, 11 feet (3.4 m) high, seven feet deep, and weighs approximately two tons. It has 400 different pipes and 98 keys, and still operates with old-style cardboard music, most of which was composed more than 50 years ago. The organ remains in excellent condition, complete with twirling ladies and cherubs that play cymbals, bells, and drums.
roller coaster, Mad Mouse
(added in 1998), the Log Flume, Hydro: SURGE, and the major expansion of 2000: Hurricane: Category 5
roller coaster.
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion featured many rides commonly found at traveling carnival
s, as well as a few rides created specifically for the park. The Pavilion boasted a variety of kiddie rides, thrill rides, two major roller coasters, and several water rides.
Major Rides
The owners of the Pavilion, Burroughs & Chapin
, announced shortly before its 2006 opening that that would be its final season. The 2006 season ended for the public on September 24, 2006, although a select number of people were able to participate in a "Last Ride" event held on September 30, 2006. The farewell season proved extremely popular and the park enjoyed record attendance and profits. Several local citizens wrote songs expressing their feelings about the closing of the old park with names like "It's Hard to Say Goodbye" and "Why Do You Want to Tear the Pavilion Down?". Several online petitions were circulated in hopes of saving the Pavilion, but Burroughs & Chapin stated that financial instability would force them to shut down park operations. At about the time the closing was announced, construction on the Hard Rock
Park (now Freestyle Music Park and also in Myrtle Beach) was set to begin.
The park's historic carousel and the Baden Band Organ were subsequently relocated to Broadway at the Beach
, also in Myrtle Beach.; however, the Haunted Hotel and the multi-million dollar Hurricane
were demolished. Hurricane's trains were sold to Kings Island
in Mason, Ohio
, and are now used on Son of Beast.
A new, smaller "mini-park" called the Pavilion Nostalgia Park has been created, featuring a few of the old rides and attractions, including the carousel and organ. This park, located at Broadway at the Beach, opened July 4, 2007.
The ocean-front Pavilion and the amusement park area were demolished between December 2006 and summer 2007. Since that time, the 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) lot has been unused and empty. Although there is no longer a Pavilion, tourists still visit the area, attracted by the local businesses such as the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove
which remain in operation. A historical marker commemorating the Pavilions has been placed on the northeast corner of the ocean-front lot, along the new boardwalk
.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
located on the corner of 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
. Considered by many as the "heart" of Myrtle Beach, the Pavilion sat one block away from the beach itself in a pedestrian-populated area, surrounded by similar attractions. The pay-per-ride Pavilion park was once a major destination in Myrtle Beach, even being voted #1 Family Attraction in Myrtle Beach by the Travel Channel.
History
Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, S.C., The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park entertained generations of families for 58 years. An 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) amusement park by the Atlantic Ocean, The Pavilion featured more than 40 rides ranging from the kiddie variety to the one known as Hurricane Category 5, the largest wooden roller coaster in South Carolina. The Pavilion’s main building, which housed The Attic, was located on the east sideof Ocean Boulevard, while the amusement park itself occupied the west side.
The first Pavilion building was a one-story wooden structure attached to Myrtle
Beach’s first hotel, the long-since demolished Seaside Inn. This first Pavilion was used as an annex and gathering place for Inn guests. It burned to the ground in 1920 and was replaced by a wooden two-story Pavilion in 1925. It was in this Pavilion building that “shagging”
became the hot new dance at the beach. In 1944 this second Pavilion building was also
destroyed by fire, but in 1948, owner Burroughs & Chapin constructed a new Pavilion, this time
using reinforced concrete walls, the first structure of its kind along the Grand Strand. It
weathered Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel was the deadliest and costliest hurricane of the 1954 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm killed as many as 1,000 people in Haiti before striking the United States near the border between North and South Carolina, as a Category 4 hurricane...
, which in 1954 destroyed much of Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront, and it was this building that remained in use until it was demolished in late 2006.
The gradual development of the Pavilion Amusement Park on the west side of Ocean Boulevard across from the main Pavilion building began in 1948 when a traveling carnival playing the annual Tobacco Festival in nearby Conway, S.C. caught the interest of the Burroughs & Chapin company. An agreement was eventually signed, and the carnival made its permanent home directly in front of and to the west of the Pavilion. Ice skaters, bear acts, dance troupes, and talent shows were also brought in. In 1950 Burroughs & Chapin bought out Central Amusement Company and added that company’s 14 rides to the amusement park. Thirty-eight trucks were needed to haul in the new rides which were soon joined by several concession stands. The park's evolution continued as its owners searched the country and abroad for new rides to add. For decades, the Myrtle Beach Pavilion provided family entertainment to residents and tourists alike.
Historic attractions
Two of the amusement park’s offerings have been recognized for their historical significance; the first is the Herschell-Spillman Carousel which dates back to 1912. Most carousels feature an assortment of horses, but the Pavilion’s carousel features a menagerie of animals including frogs, lions, ostriches, zebras, giraffes, roosters, and dragons. The “lead horse”, which is, in fact, a horse, is bejeweled and decorated in great detail and, as tradition demands, is found on the outside row of the carousel. One of approximately 15 working Herschell-Spillman carousels in the country, the Pavilion carousel is a very elaborate and well-kept machine, protected at night from the wear and tear of the ocean by lowered metal doors.The Pavilion's other historical treasure is the Baden Band Organ. This organ was built at Waldkirch Baden, Germany by A. Ruth & Sohn, who hand-carved its ornate wooden figurines and decorations. The organ was first exhibited in Paris at the World Exposition of 1900. Afterwards
it was moved from town to town in Europe on a wagon pulled by a team of six horses. The organ is 20 feet (6.1 m) long, 11 feet (3.4 m) high, seven feet deep, and weighs approximately two tons. It has 400 different pipes and 98 keys, and still operates with old-style cardboard music, most of which was composed more than 50 years ago. The organ remains in excellent condition, complete with twirling ladies and cherubs that play cymbals, bells, and drums.
Rides
As the decades passed, the park added numerous rides including the two-million-dollar Arrow DynamicsArrow Dynamics
Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of...
roller coaster, Mad Mouse
Mad Mouse (Pavilion)
Mad Mouse was a very compact roller coaster located at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. Built by Arrow Dynamics in 1998, Mad Mouse was the first of 4 "Mad Mouse" design models installed by Arrow Dynamics...
(added in 1998), the Log Flume, Hydro: SURGE, and the major expansion of 2000: Hurricane: Category 5
Hurricane (roller coaster)
Hurricane: Category 5 was a Custom Coasters International wooden roller coaster located at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. It replaced the Corkscrew roller coaster which existed since the late 1970s. The Pavilion unveiled their multimillion dollar coaster May 6, 2000...
roller coaster.
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion featured many rides commonly found at traveling carnival
Traveling carnival
A traveling carnival is an amusement show that may be made up of amusement rides, food vendors, merchandise vendors, games of chance and skill, thrill acts, animal acts or sideshow curiosities. A traveling carnival is not set up at a permanent location, like an amusement park, but is moved from...
s, as well as a few rides created specifically for the park. The Pavilion boasted a variety of kiddie rides, thrill rides, two major roller coasters, and several water rides.
Major Rides
- Hurricane: Category 5Hurricane (roller coaster)Hurricane: Category 5 was a Custom Coasters International wooden roller coaster located at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. It replaced the Corkscrew roller coaster which existed since the late 1970s. The Pavilion unveiled their multimillion dollar coaster May 6, 2000...
- Mad MouseMad Mouse (Pavilion)Mad Mouse was a very compact roller coaster located at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. Built by Arrow Dynamics in 1998, Mad Mouse was the first of 4 "Mad Mouse" design models installed by Arrow Dynamics...
- Log FlumeLog flume (attraction)Log flumes originally referred to a special construct used to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. Today, however, the term is also used to refer to an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs or boats...
- Hydro: SURGE
- Haunted Hotel
Closure
Burroughs & Chapin
Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. is a real estate development company established in 1895 and is based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Its main office is located at 2411 North Oak Street near the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Burroughs & Chapin owns or has had a hand in developing some of the...
, announced shortly before its 2006 opening that that would be its final season. The 2006 season ended for the public on September 24, 2006, although a select number of people were able to participate in a "Last Ride" event held on September 30, 2006. The farewell season proved extremely popular and the park enjoyed record attendance and profits. Several local citizens wrote songs expressing their feelings about the closing of the old park with names like "It's Hard to Say Goodbye" and "Why Do You Want to Tear the Pavilion Down?". Several online petitions were circulated in hopes of saving the Pavilion, but Burroughs & Chapin stated that financial instability would force them to shut down park operations. At about the time the closing was announced, construction on the Hard Rock
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1971 by Americans Peter Morton & Isaac Tigrett. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. In 2006, Hard Rock was sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and...
Park (now Freestyle Music Park and also in Myrtle Beach) was set to begin.
The park's historic carousel and the Baden Band Organ were subsequently relocated to Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is a shopping center located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since its inception in 1996, it has grown to be one of Myrtle Beach's premier shopping destinations. Broadway at the Beach is owned and operated by Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc...
, also in Myrtle Beach.; however, the Haunted Hotel and the multi-million dollar Hurricane
Hurricane (roller coaster)
Hurricane: Category 5 was a Custom Coasters International wooden roller coaster located at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. It replaced the Corkscrew roller coaster which existed since the late 1970s. The Pavilion unveiled their multimillion dollar coaster May 6, 2000...
were demolished. Hurricane's trains were sold to Kings Island
Kings Island
Kings Island is a amusement park located northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Opened in 1972 by Taft Broadcasting Company and now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Kings Island is the most visited seasonal amusement park in the U.S...
in Mason, Ohio
Mason, Ohio
Mason is an affluent city in southwestern Warren County, Ohio, United States, 22 miles away from Cincinnati . As of the 2010 census, Mason's population was 30,712. Mason has experienced fast growth, with its historic Main Street remaining at the center of the community...
, and are now used on Son of Beast.
A new, smaller "mini-park" called the Pavilion Nostalgia Park has been created, featuring a few of the old rides and attractions, including the carousel and organ. This park, located at Broadway at the Beach, opened July 4, 2007.
The ocean-front Pavilion and the amusement park area were demolished between December 2006 and summer 2007. Since that time, the 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) lot has been unused and empty. Although there is no longer a Pavilion, tourists still visit the area, attracted by the local businesses such as the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove
Gay Dolphin Gift Cove
Gay Dolphin Gift Cove on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina calls itself "the nation's largest gift shop". As of 2011, the Gay Dolphin had and store owner Justin "Buz" Plyler said the store averaged 70,000 items...
which remain in operation. A historical marker commemorating the Pavilions has been placed on the northeast corner of the ocean-front lot, along the new boardwalk
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, officially opened in May 2010 at a cost of nearly $6.4 million and runs along the oceanfront from the Pier 14 at 14th Avenue North to the 2nd Avenue Pier at 2nd Avenue North...
.