This is a sad story of how Myrtle Beach recently lost some of it's
history.
In 1945 Johnny Holcombe built a motor lodge from brick from
local plantations that was reportedly made from the ballast stone
of British ships. The design of the main building was taken from
the Governor's Mansion in Williamsburg, VA. There were six houses
in front of the main hotel, all modeled after Williamsburg homes,
which rented for $7.00 per night. President Eisenhower and his wife
stayed here during a visit. Only one of the six houses remains on
the property. All of the other building were razed by developers
who bought the property for a condo project which went bankrupt.
Now instead of a beautiful, historic building we have an empty lot.
The only remnant of the main hotel is the cupola.
The property was first a hotel and restaurant, then five other
restaurants followed. It was originally called The Pink House after
a pre-Revolutionary era tavern and officer's club in Charleston,
SC. The property was last used as a Christmas shop called Christmas
Elegance.
Below is a photo of The Pink House when it was a hotel and
restaurant:
The last remaining of the six houses:
The Governor's Mansion in Williamsburg, VA:
