The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park was officially built in 1948. In 1951, a pint-sized wooden coaster called the Comet Jr. opened at the amusement park. The roller coaster remained a favorite until the late 1960s.
The year 1954 brings the German Baden-Band Organ, which became one of the park’s most iconic attractions.This organ was originally built for display at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris Before being brought to Myrtle Beach, the organ toured Europe on a wagon for decades.
50''s & 60's At the Myrtle Beach Pavilion - Good Years
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion area flourished during the 50's and 60's. This pointed the way for Myrtle Beach to become one of the top vacation destinations on the East Coast.
1978 - Big Year for New Rides
In 1978, the pavilion added the Corkscrew, which was its first steel roller coaster and stayed in operation for over 30 years.Thrill-seekers really got their thrills with the 70-foot drop and two looping corkscrews.
The Haunted Hotel, originally called the "Haunted Inn" also opened in 1978. This was a dark ride with scary, animatronic ghosts and ghouls inside. So, people afraid of the dark either skipped it or got their pants scared off.
Several new rides were added in the 80's for adults and children. These included The Enterprise, Mind Scrambler, and a small train-themed roller coaster.
The Hurricane: Category 5
The park’s signature roller coaster, the Hurricane: Category 5, was built in 2000 for $6 million. It became the tallest, fastest and longest wooden coaster in South Carolina.
The ride was a 3,800-foot-long, hybrid-structure coaster that featured an out-and-back style layout with 14 turns, a 100-foot drop, and a top speed of 55 mph.
End of An Era
Burroughs & Chapin announced that the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park will close at the end of the 2006 season due to financial instability
The park was closed to the public on Sept. 24, with a ticketed “The Last Ride” event held on Sept. 30 and a final private party send-off at The Attic in October.
In 2007, demolition began on the Pavilion and it included several of the park’s rides.The Pavilion Nostalgia Park opened at Broadway at the Beach later in the year.
The park featured relocated pieces of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park including the Herschell-Spillman Carousel,and the Baden Band Organ.
Other relocated pieces included an arcade, the Pirate Ship, tea cups and various other kiddie rides.
Thanks For the Memories
To me Myrtle Beach is just not the same without the laughter and the screams coming from the kiddie rides and thrill rides at Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park.
Hopefully, one day soon we will hear those sounds again.
But, I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have of Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park.
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