Socastee Spotlight

Overview

Socastee is a largely residential community located inland from Myrtle Beach. This unincorporated community has roots dating back to 1711 when Percival Pawley received a land grant of 200 acres of land, known as “Sawkestee.” Small, communal developments began to pop up in the area. Well into the 1800’s, the community was known for its production of tar, pitch, and turpentine. By the late 1800’s, the bustling community had a cotton gin, mercantile store, and three turpentine stills. As technology evolved and naval stores were no longer needed, the area transitioned to farming and lumber industries. As the community entered the 20th century, the population grew dramatically, as Myrtle Beach became a popular vacation destination. Many of the historic homes and businesses are still standing today. In 2002, the Socastee National Historic District was added to the National Register of Historical Places.

Historic District

The Socastee National Historic District is one of the only remaining post Civil War development areas in the country. The district includes a pecan grove, two homes, and a store that were all constructed around the turn of the 19th century. One of the homes is the Sarvis-Ammons House. The home was built for his family by Samuel Scarborough, a Confederate Army Veteran. Not only did he serve in the Army, but he owned and operated a store, in addition to being the Postmaster for the community. That building that is still present today, known as the T. B. Cooper store. When it first opened in 1905 by Thomas B. Cooper provided many services for the community, such as a place to socialize, collect their mail, and buy mercantile goods. The store operated until 1930. Thomas B. Cooper’s home is also another building in the district. The home was constructed in 1908 and modified in 1935. All buildings are privately owned and can be viewed from public roads and sidewalks.

Things To Do

Communities - Socastee
As one of the older residential communities along the Grand Strand, Socastee invests in teaching its Heritage for generations to come. The Socastee Heritage Festival occurs every April, and highlights the rich history of the area. Taking place at the Socastee Swing Bridge along the Intracoastal Waterway, locals and visitors gather to enjoy fresh seafood, Southern BBQ, and peruse the rows that vendors have set up for shopping. All proceeds from the Annual Festival benefit the surrounding community. If you are interested in being active in the area, the Socastee Recreation Park is open year-round for visitors. This park offers two standard-sized basketball courts, an archery range, a disc golf course, walking trails, outdoor exercise equipment, two tennis courts, and much more. Activities such as kayak trips and adventure trips are offered throughout the year. Arrowhead Country Club is only a short drive from the community. Featuring 27 holes of golf designed by renowned golfer Raymond Floyd, this course has earned the awards of “The Best of the Grand Strand” and “South Carolina’s Golf Course of the Year.” It is conveniently located near major highways and offers pristine views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Restaurants

Socastee prides itself in having many locally-owned restaurants for its community, and Socastee Station has been a local staple for generations, for a fresh home-cooked meal. This restaurant offers everything from jambalaya-stuffed mushrooms to the Famous Beer-Battered Chicken Bog Balls (House Specialty), in addition to a wide-variety of cuisines and options. River City Café is another favorite among tourists and locals alike along the Grand Strand. River City Café has multiple locations from North Myrtle Beach to Surfside Beach to Socastee. It is also famous for its burgers and eclectic decorations. Located near the Socastee Swing Bridge, it is only steps away from the rich history of this community. Further, a local favorite is The Porch in Socastee. The Porch in Socastee is a walk-up restaurant located adjacent to the Socastee Swinging Bridge. In addition to traditional offerings such as chicken tenders and cheeseburgers, it provides more adventurous options, including lasagna egg rolls and chili mac burgers.

Real Estate Market

Socastee House
Real Estate in Socastee has seen a large amount of growth over the past five years. Locals are driven to the area due to its more residential feel than other areas along the Grand Strand and its ease of access to surrounding communities. With Highway 544 running through the center of Socastee and other major roads nearby, it is perfectly located within the Grand Strand. With the rich history and above listed amenities, Socastee real estate is selling quicker for higher prices. The median selling price of homes in 2016 was $144,487 and has now risen nearly $70,000 to $203,630. In addition to a price increase, homes are selling nearly two months faster. Homes are selling in an average of 90 days as of June of 2021 compared to 127 days in June of 2016. Socastee has also become one of the most extreme seller’s markets in the area with 100% of homes selling at list price. Sellers are now receiving a higher list price in a shorter period of time.

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