by the Little River Chamber of Commerce
The northern-most stretch of the Grand Strand is home to the community of Little River. It derives its name from the little river that flows between North and South Carolina, and empties directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
Lying right before the border of North Carolina and encompassing almost 11 miles, Little River is the oldest community found in this area. It was established as a trading post and fishing village in the early 1700s, when merchants capitalized on the abundant fish and other natural resources of the area; it has been known as a fishing village, celebrated for fresh seafood, ever since.
The earliest known families to settle in this area were those of Lewis and Waitie, and Vereen and Tilighman. George Washington, on his Southern tour along Kings Hwy., spent the night in Little River in the cabin of Jeremiah Vereen, a tavern keeper who became famous due to the fame of his guest.
Little River has a vibe of charm and tranquility amongst the bustle of its surrounds. It’s roughly twenty miles north of busy Myrtle Beach, and adjacent to the pulse of the equally busy North Myrtle Beach.
Property value and real estate prices in Little River have been steadily increasing in the past few years, as more people look to relocate or vacation in an area where a slower pace of life is the norm, and centuries-old live oak trees, as well as a myriad of flora and fauna, wrap the landscape in beauty.
As with many communities with ocean access, Little River’s past is checkered by the colorful escapades of the pirates, buccaneers, and other enterprising individuals of history who made good use of the coastal estuaries and tidal pools as hideouts, as well as the river leading to the open expanse of the sea to further their ends.
Today, the access points to the water delight with opportunities for some of the best deep-sea fishing on the coast, jet skiing, private charter boats, casino cruises, and personal watercraft pursuits.
Crickett Cove and Light Keepers Marinas offer wet and dry dock space for locals and transient boaters. There is also a myriad of boat rental options from party barges and fishing charters to membership in the Freedom Boat Club. Or, there are plenty of opportunities to simply watch all the activity.
Take a hike in Vereen Memorial Gardens, relax at one of our many waterfront restaurants, or take a stroll along the waterway.
On land, Little River offers a range of diversions, including golfing, fine dining, unique shopping experiences, and more. Every May, Little River hosts its World Famous Blue Crab Festival, held for over thirty consecutive years. Thousands turn out for this local tradition and to savor blue crabs prepared in a myriad of ways while enjoying live beach music.
In October, the the sounds of jazz, motown, zydeco, and more take center stage at the music-agnostic Little River ShrimpFest.
For more information on this quaint community, visit LittleRiverChamber.org.
