Abondoned Motel, US-17 at Litchfield Beach: late 1950s 9 comments
This motel is a landmark which has existed for all of my life, but which I never (in memory) saw until 2006. This motel is on the east side of US-17, just south of Gullie’s Shell station, and north of the Georgetown credit union. To say that by 2006 I had driven this stretch of road more than a few times understates it a bit, but I never had the least clue that there were buildings just off the road — the whole place was so overgrown as to be completely invisible. Apparently the lot was partially cleared late in 2005, and when I was down that winter, I had quite a What the heck did I just drive by? moment as I passed by the first time after that.
Graphitti in a concrete slab at the old office building dates this place to early 1956, and the fixtures all have that mid 50s look as well. In fact, the bathroom tile looks a good bit like what I have at home which is almost exactly the same vintage. I have no idea what happened to the place. It certainly wasn’t (and isn’t) uncommon for Grand Strand businesses to fail, and the south strand was very isolated and non-commercialized for quite a while. For years the abandoned cabins of another motel sat at the South Causeway of Pawleys Island, more or less where the Food Lion now is. In fact for years, the only motel south of Murrells Inlet was the Quality Inn Seagull — most people then and now rented houses to vacation in the area.
The whole area is being further cleared now, all the way back to the marsh. I suspect work would have started sooner after the initial clearing of the motel except for the economy. At any rate, I suspect the whole thing will be houses before too long, and I fully expect the motel to be knocked down before the year is out. (I’ve already got my shower handle, to go with my other one from Douglas.)
If anyone knows what the motel was called, when it closed, or why it closed, sound off!
9 Responses to 'Abondoned Motel, US-17 at Litchfield Beach: late 1950s'
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Jeff
6 Jun 10 at 9:53 pm
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Awesome pictures! Good thing you got them now. It looks like that place is about to be demolished.
My house was built in 1960. I have the same tiles. Pink in one bathroom, blue in the other.
Matthew
14 Jun 10 at 9:33 am
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I didn’t notice this before, but the date inscribed in the concrete is my birthdate. The condition of this place is almost a perfect metaphor for my life lately, sad but true.
14 Jun 10 at 8:04 pm
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I was just down there and my aunt and I were talking about this place! I cannot, for the life of me, remember what she said the name of this place was. I do remember that it was an old motel, that had not been open in a long time, and that during part if its time, it was considered a “black” motel– I assume during segregationist years when “white” motels would not allow non-whites. I can’t remember what else she knew about it, will have to ask and post if I get any updates.
Allie
8 Jul 10 at 2:42 pm
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Until this article appeared in the Coastal Observer, I had no idea that McKenzie Beach ever existed. It was a black beach on the Southern tip of Litchfield.
joel
31 Jul 10 at 2:24 pm
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Here is another CO article about the property.
joel
31 Jul 10 at 2:27 pm
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Thanks Joel!
ted
31 Jul 10 at 3:30 pm
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Big names used to “Stay ‘n Play” at the Magnolia Beach Club including Billie Holliday, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. This was the same place, but before the hotel, as shown in the pictures, was built.
Fast forward to page 23
then look for the heading “Magnolia Beach Club” -
Very intersting! Everyone should read that..
ted
1 Sep 10 at 1:04 am
I know it’s progress and time marches on, but still, it is kind of sad in a way. One can almost feel/hear the last gasp of this ghost and all it’s memories as it prepares to be gone forever.