Video taken at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park in July 2006. It was the last season for the Pavilion which is being demolished to make way for condos. I just put together a Photo Poster Collage of the Pavilion taken during the last season. For more info go to STEVESPAK.COM
A Short History:
Since 1948, The Myrtle Beach Pavilion, located on Ocean Boulevard has been a gathering spot for generations of vacationing families. The 11 acre Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park has over 40 rides to please every family member. Thrill seekers enjoy the Hurricane Catagory 5, the largest wooden roller coaster in South Carolina.
The first Pavilion was built in 1908 was a small one story wooden used as a multi-puropose building, It was a dance hall, town meeting hall and gathering place for guest of the first hotel on the beach, The Seaside Inn. The second pavilion was built in 1925 after fire destroyed the first. The new 2 story wooden structure became the hot place to try "shagging -- the hot new dance craze
Like it's predecesor, the second Pavilion building burned to the ground. In 1944, a third was build and finally in 1948 a new Pavilion was buiolt with reinforced concrete. This imporved structure is till in use today and withstood 1954's Hurricane Hazel, which destroyed much of the Grand Strand area.
In 1948 the Husted Brothers carnival plaing the Tobacco Festival in Conway SC was hired to create the Pavilion Amusement Park, Other acts were added including, bear acts and ice skaters. In 1950 Central Amusement Company was purchased and added 14 rides to the park including the Herschell-Spillman Carousel. This unusual carousel features an assortment of animals including zebras, lions, frogs, ostriches, giraffes, roosters, and dragons. It is one of the most eleaborate of the 15 working Herschell-Spillmand carousels in the country.
In 1958 the park purchased the German Baden Band Organ which was featured at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris. After the Expo it was driven by a team of 6 horses from town to town throughout Europe. The two ton organ has 400 pipes 98 keys and still uses cardboard music, most of which was composed over 50 years ago. The organ is in excellent conditon, complete with twirling ladies and cherubs that play cymbals, bells and drums
Through the years, more rides shows and acts have been added.. Sadly in 2006 it was sold and is now being demolished.
Tags: pavilion myrtle-beach amusement-park sc South- Carolina history rides
