Have you ever taken a stroll in downtown Conway and wondered about the history that makes Conway, Conway? It’s been five months now since we opened our new location in the Blackwater Market in downtown Conway, South Carolina, and we wanted to share some of the local history we are so honored to be a part of.
Before we start with the history of the Blackwater Market, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the history of the historic City of Conway. In 1735, settlers first began to arrive at the site of the town of Kingston, which we all know and love to be Conway. Small American Revolutionary War engagements were fought near Kingston and the surrounding areas, in which many Kingston residents fought. Our beloved Horry County got its name when Kingston County was changed to Horry District in honor of General Peter Horry in 1801. At this time the population is only about 100. Later on, Kingston was changed to Conwayborough for General Robert Conway, a general in the SC State Militia. It’s hard to believe that Conway was once slow in population growth; Conwayborough had only reached a population of 476 in 1860. It is important to know that an important industry at this time was naval stores, including turpentine and lumber. In the 1870’s, the naval store industry grew due to Conwayborogh’s close proximity to the Waccamaw River. Passengers and goods were able to be transported to Georgetown via riverboat down the Waccamaw River. It was in 1883 that The South Carolina General Assembly shortened the town name to Conway.
A pivotal moment for Conway and Myrtle Beach alike was in 1887 when the railroad had reached Conway. In 1900, Horry business leaders built a line to reach Myrtle Beach which ultimately led to the creation of Myrtle Beach. Much of present-day downtown Conway was built in the early 1900’s following a destructive fire. Many of the buildings we know and love were built between 1900 and 1910. It wasn’t until tobacco became a profitable cash crop sometime between 1890-1930 that Conway saw a rapid population growth rate, and continued to grow and prosper to the Conway we know and love.
The Blackwater Market was originally constructed in the mid-1930s but a devastating fire destroyed the building in 1997. In 2000, community leader Larry Paul transferred ownership to the City, who later found investors to redevelop the scorned building. It took four years to plan and reconstruct the building where River City Cafe currently operates. Inside the Blackwater Market, you can find streetscape murals depicting local history, painted by Ruth Cox. Here you can also find the bell from the Black Maria train that chugged alongside Main Street in Conway in the early 1900’s.
We have only been a part of Conway’s rich history for a short time now but are looking forward to being a part of it for the long haul. We are so grateful to be loved by natives, new residents, and tourists alike. We hope that when you visit us you and your loved ones create long-lasting memories that become a part of your history.
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