Murrells Inlet Historic District

City Directories and History: Click here to learn more of the history of Murrells Inlet’s Historic District and this structure.

The Murrells Inlet Historic District contains a significant concentration of buildings which visually reflect the transition of the area from adjoining estates of two nineteenth-century rice planters into a twentieth century resort community. In the mid-nineteenth century, homes were built for two prominent Georgetown County rice planters, Jacob Motte Alston and Dr. Allard Belin Flagg.

After the lands began to be subdivided in the early twentieth century, a small community of summer houses developed. Today the historic district contains two antebellum houses, which are local interpretations of the Greek Revival style, as well as a collection of early twentieth century vernacular resort buildings. Residential in character, the historic district contains approximately nineteen houses. Although they exhibit some diversity, the prevalent use of wood as a building material, the large screened porches, and the setting of moss draped trees, marshland, and piers provide a visual unity. Since most of the buildings overlook the creek and marshland to the east, and since the creek and marshland provide the essential setting, a substantial amount of this area has been included in the potential historic district. Besides being crucial visually to the area, the marshland has played an integral part in the historical development of Murrells Inlet. Listed in the National Register November 25, 1980.  [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]

Members of the Quantz, Peterkin and Fairey families have been enjoying Murrells Inlet for decades. It began with the purchase of what later became the Nye house by Jacob Risher Fairey and his wife Kitty Moss Fairey. Without children, they often had their extended family and friends to also visit the village. The William and Julia Peterkin family from Fort Motte, who were neighbors of the Fairey family from Calhoun County, also joined the vacationers at Murrells Inlet. Other extended family members followed with purchases of summer dwellings; Theodore and Cam Quantz and his first cousin, Mrs. Philip W. “Isabel” Fairey.  Members of the Fairey and Quantz families in 2015 own three homes in the historic fishing village.

Unfortunately, one of the oldest dwellings, the Fairey – Nye home, reported to have dated to the 1850’s was dismantled to make room for a newer house.

Membership in R&R

Stay connected with R&R, “Explore S.C. history, historic houses, & family stories…” Sign up for a R&R membership. Members receive the “From the Porch” blog, updates on regional topics, and targeted notifications of their choice. Membership also includes travel opportunities: Carolina DeJaunts.  Login and prioritize your specific points of enthusiasm: R&R Login.  If you only wish to receive the “From the Porch” newsletter and no additional membership content, use the R&R Blog signup form.

User comments welcome – post at the bottom of this page.

Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.

User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.