A hundred years of Grand Strand piers

1. 1920s

   The Birth of Grand Strand Piers

   The Grand Strand's first fishing piers were simple wooden structures built to serve the growing tourism industry. As Myrtle Beach transformed from a quiet coastal town into a vacation destination, piers became gathering places for both fishermen and sightseers.

2. 1950s–60s

   The Golden Age of Pier Fishing

   The post-war tourism boom brought a wave of pier construction along the Grand Strand. Families flocked to the coast, and pier fishing became one of the most accessible and affordable ocean activities. From Cherry Grove to Pawleys Island, piers dotted the coastline.

3. 1970s–80s

   A Pier on Every Beach

   By the late 1970s, the Grand Strand boasted over a dozen fishing piers stretching from the North Carolina border to Georgetown County. Each pier developed its own personality, some known for king mackerel, others for family-friendly fishing and dining.

4. 1989

   Hurricane Hugo's Devastation

   On September 22, 1989, Hurricane Hugo made landfall near Charleston as a Category 4 storm. The Grand Strand took significant damage, and many piers along the coast were destroyed or severely damaged. The rebuilding effort would take years.

5. 1990s

   Rebuilding and Modernization

   In the aftermath of Hugo, piers were rebuilt with stronger materials and modern engineering. Several piers added restaurants, tackle shops, and observation decks, transforming them from simple fishing platforms into full-service destinations.

6. 1999

   Hurricane Floyd Tests the Coast

   Hurricane Floyd brought another round of damage to Grand Strand piers. The resilience of the rebuilt structures was tested, and the piers that survived cemented their reputations as some of the sturdiest on the East Coast.

7. 2000s

   The Modern Pier Era

   Grand Strand piers evolved into multi-purpose destinations offering fishing, dining, and entertainment. Piers like Pier 14, Apache, and Cherry Grove became known not just for great fishing but for their restaurants and ocean-view lounges.

8. 2016

   Hurricane Matthew's Impact

   Hurricane Matthew caused significant damage to several Grand Strand piers in October 2016. The community rallied to rebuild, and the piers that survived became symbols of coastal resilience.

9. 2020s

   A New Chapter with PierCast

   Today, the Grand Strand is home to 10 active fishing piers stretching over 60 miles of coastline. With PierCast, these piers enter a new era of digital engagement, connecting anglers with real-time conditions, bite reports, and everything they need right at the railing.

Dates come from pier operators, local newspaper archives and National Hurricane Center storm records. If you have a photograph or a correction from a pier that is no longer standing, we would like to see it.