Market Common History

Oklahoma Native, Commander of the 354th at Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Brigadier General Joel T. Hall was born in 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His career trajectory brought him to serve the United States Air Force as commander of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in 1984. Hall Lane, which intersects with Cook Circle … Read more

A Perspective and Historical Account by Lynn Mueller On October 16, 1939, the Myrtle Beach Town Council concluded that the community was in dire need of a municipal airport. Given this conclusion, the town purchased one hundred thirty-five acres of adjoining property. Shortly thereafter, the airport was named the Harrelson Municipal Airport. It was named … Read more

Top Gun and Commander of the MBAF Base by Melissa LaScaleia Tucked away in the Market Common, intersecting Hendrick Avenue, is Jenkins Alley, so named after Brigadier General James J. Jenkins, who logged more than 3,100 hours flying with the United States Air Force. Little information can be found about James Jenkins early life, but … Read more

Our history column usually recounts the stories of those who served in the United States Military and were connected with the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. But this month, we’d like to commemorate the actions of a local civilian who was honored many years ago with his own plaque in the Market Common as well … Read more

Vice Commander of the 354th at Myrtle Beach, American Ace in WWII by Melissa LaScaleia Kruzel Street, in the Market Common, is located between Farrow Parkway and Pampas Drive, running roughly parallel with both. It begins, or ends depending on your perspective, at Howard Avenue and Shine Avenue, connecting the two. Kruzel Street was named … Read more

Air Force Cross Medal Recipient by Melissa LaScaleia There is no street in the Market Common named after Air Force veteran Lieutenant Colonel Colin Arnold “Arnie” Clarke, but there is a plaque which commemorates his service to our country and his many military accomplishments. Colin Arnold Clarke was born in Seattle, Washington on August 31, … Read more

by Melissa LaScaleia Phillis Boulevard is one of the streets that borders the Properties at the Market Common Real Estate Office and the Insider offices. It is off of Farrow Parkway in the Market Common, and leads to the General Aviation Terminal for private planes coming to and from Myrtle Beach. Phillis Boulevard is named … Read more

by Melissa LaScaleia Baldwin Lane is a short street in the Market Common that turns into Shine Avenue and runs parallel with Pampas Drive. It intersects with Mallard Lake Drive, the road that leads to the Barc Park South, dog park. Baldwin Lane is named after Major General Charles Baldwin, who was also a chaplain … Read more

Above, Buddy Styers enjoys the fruits of his labor in front of the sign announcing the entrance to the Market Common. “People still tell me how proud they are of what I’ve accomplished, but I don’t feel that I did it, as much as I feel that I was a part of it. We had … Read more

USAF Pilot, Vietnam War Veteran by Melissa LaScaleia Shine Avenue is named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shine, a pilot in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. The avenue meanders around the periphery of the Market Common, intersecting with Farrow Parkway.  Anthony Shine was born on May 20, 1939 to a … Read more

This story is part 6 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history continues where we left … Read more

“Man of the Decade” & Commander of the 354th at Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Hackler Street in the Market Common links Farrow Parkway to Johnson Avenue, and borders Valor Memorial Garden. It is named after General James Franklin Hackler, Jr. James Hackler was born in Marion, Virginia in 1920. As a child, he was passionate … Read more

This story is part 5 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history continues where we left … Read more

WWII Fighter Pilot Ace and Myrtle Beach Base Commander by Melissa LaScaleia Lewis Street in the Market Common links the well-known DeVille Street— with its offerings of electric bike rides, sushi, and yoga— to Johnson Avenue, which leads out to Farrow Parkway. The street is named after Colonel Warren R. Lewis, who was born on … Read more

This story is part 4 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history continues where we left … Read more

Pilot Extraordinaire, MBAF Base’s Longest Serving Commander by Melissa LaScaleia Colonel Joseph R. Nevers had an illustrious military career with the United States Air Force that spanned thirty-five years. He was a renowned fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and flew more than 7,700 military hours in F-86, F-100, and F-104 aircraft. In the 1950s, … Read more

This story is part 3 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. This article continues where we left … Read more

This story is part 1 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. For the background on the initial … Read more

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II Long before small, colorful helicopters transported tourists over the coastline for sweeping views of our sandy beaches, or commercial planes whisked visitors to and from Myrtle Beach, a very different sort of aircraft dominated the skies in this area— the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-10 Thunderbolt II … Read more

An Interview With Colonel Buddy Styers I never knew that the Market Common had its own small airport for use by private planes until the day I met Colonel Buddy Styers. It was the first of many unknown things about the Market Common that I would discover that day. I arrived for our meeting at … Read more

WWII Hero, 1st Commander of the MBAF Base The picturesque neighborhood of Emmens Preserve straddles either side of Coventry Boulevard in the Market Common. It was named after the very first commander of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.  Colonel Robert Emmens was born in Medford, Oregon on June, 22 1914. After schooling in his … Read more

Howard Avenue in the Market Common is named after a notable member of the United States Air Force. Born to American parents in Canton, China on April 13, 1913, James Howell Howard moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri in 1927.  He graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California in 1937, intending to pursue … Read more

Have you ever wondered why the streets in the Market Common are named as they are? Most have names that are throwbacks to the history of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in some way.  Farrow Parkway, the main thoroughfare that runs alongside the Market Common district and connects Hwy 17 to Hwy 17 Business, … Read more

The 4,000-acre area in Myrtle Beach known as the Market Common is a beautiful space with a rich history. Each phase of its evolution, from the first known native peoples— the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes— up to the installment of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, left an indelible mark and added to its richness … Read more