I Remember Myrtle Beach When . . . A Collection of Local History, Personal Stories, Photographs and Brief Biography of Dr. J. Marcus Smith

Myrtle Beach … a seaside resort that has given wonderful memories to millions of people who have visited – whether to enjoy golfing, shopping, the spectacular beaches, the many attractions, or just to take in the beautiful weather. It has not always been this way. At the turn of the previous century, in the early 1900s, it was difficult to get to Myrtle Beach and there just wasn’t much there, except sand. Over the last century, Myrtle Beach has grown from a sleepy seaside town to a booming resort. Dr. J. Marcus Smith was a native of the area. He grew up in nearby Conway and later moved to Myrtle Beach. He married his childhood sweetheart Frances Marian Johnson, and they raised their three sons in Myrtle Beach. While he practiced optometry for fifty years, he also wrote many stories about his two hometowns – Conway and Myrtle Beach – most being published in The Sun News. He loved this area and all of its rich history. This collection of stories has been compiled and edited by his oldest son J. Marcus Smith, Jr.

Dr. J. Marcus Smith was a native of Horry County. He grew up in Conway, graduating from Conway High School in 1942. He then went to the University of South Carolina for a year before heading off on a train to Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He married his childhood sweetheart Frances Marian Johnson in 1950, and they raised three sons in Myrtle Beach. He practiced optometry for fifty years. He was very active in the community - with our activities, the Jaycees, Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) leader at the First United Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach and the Horry County Historical Society. He wrote many articles on his two hometowns - Conway and Myrtle Beach - most being published in The Sun News newspaper. He loved this area and all of its rich history. He loved people and thoroughly enjoyed talking and interacting with them. He and Mom (collectively known as "Ging and Pop") were wonderful grandparents - they were always available to baby-sit and help out as needed. They had six grandchildren who all lived near them. Family and friends were very important to them. They were married for over 54 years. Mom passed away three years before Dad. He was never the same again - they were indeed one together. They have been greatly missed.