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<div><p>The county was named in honor of Revolutionary war officer and planter&nbsp;Peter Horry pronounced (OH-REE').&nbsp;</p></div>

The society maintains its offices in the historic Bryan House, built in 1912. 

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Organized in 1966, this county historical society supports local preservation efforts and maintains two historic homes. The organization offers a variety of resources for genealogists and educators on their website. 

Horry County Historical Society

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<h3>Peter Horry (1743-1815)</h3><p>Peter Horry was born in South Carolina in 1743 (one source says 1747). In April 1779, he assumed ownership of his late father's plantation, which was located near Winyah Bay in what was then Prince George's Parish. Horry would acquire two more plantations by the time he passed away in 1815. In June 1775, Horry was one of 20 captains selected by the state South Carolina Provincial Congress to serve in the first and second South Carolina regiments; Horry was assigned to the second regiment. He became a lieutenant in 1779 and commanded a regiment of state troops, the South Carolina 4th Regiment of State Dragoons, in October 1781. This regiment was disbanded in March 1782 after suffering heavy casualties at the battles of Wambaw Bridge and Tidyman's Plantation.</p><p>After given command of Georgetown, Horry resigned from the military. However, his military service was not over yet. He became brigadier general in 1792 to command the sixth brigade of the South Carolina militia, which was reorganized. He served until 1802. It appears Horry served in the state senate and house of representatives in his later years. </p><h3>Horry County</h3><p>As stated above, Horry County was established in 1785 as Kingston County. Previously, it was part of three parishes (Prince George Winyah, Prince Frederick, and All Saints) and then what was called the Georgetown District in 1769. </p>

<p>This historical marker provides a brief overview of the history of Horry County and the man for whom the county is named, Peter Horry (1743-1815), who was a prominent military officer from South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. The marker is located in front of the Horry County Courthouse. Peter Horry rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the South Carolina militia and also served in the state senate and house of representatives. The county was established as Kingston County in 1785 but was renamed after Horry in 1801. </p>

Peter Horry/Horry County Historical Marker

<p>The building replaced the former courthouse, which was a wood structure that was deteriorating and too costly to repair. Construction of the present building, and a separate jail, began in March of 1824 and was completed in May the next year. There is speculation that it was designed by Robert Mills, who is well known for designing the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. </p><p>The jail was converted and enlarged into a hotel in 1914 (the hotel was apparently built on top of the jail). The new floors of the hotel were demolished in 1968, leaving the original jail walls in place. Information about when the courthouse became city hall is not readily available but it was sometime before 1971 when it was listed on the National Register.</p>

<p>Conway City Hall was built in 1825 and originally functioned as the Horry County Courthouse. An excellent example of Classical Revival architecture, it features a portico with four Doric columns, arched windows, and an arched main entrance. A clock tower stands just outside of the main entrance. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.</p>

Conway City Hall

<p>Historical records indicate that a church was founded in the area along the Waccamaw River around 1734, which was before Kingston Township was established (Kingston was renamed Conway in 1883). Then before 1754, a minister named John Baxter sometimes preached in the community. Two years later, a Presbyterian congregation was established in Kingston and its minister was Rev. William Donaldson, who served until he died in 1759. It is unclear why, but the congregation seems to have dissolved by 1795. However, local Methodists did use the church for a short time but in the coming years, the church fell into disrepair and was destroyed by a storm in 1813. </p><p>In 1855, local Presbyterians called for a new church and congregation to be established. Three years later, the present church was built. It features a portico supported by square columns with recessed panels, square pilasters (columns), and a steeple, which was added in 1962. The church also represents the success and stability that the town had achieved by the time of its construction.</p>

Located near the junction of Kingston Lake and the Waccamaw River, Kingston Presbyterian Church is a historic church built in 1858. It is an excellent example of antebellum Greek Revival architecture and is home to a congregation whose roots date to the 18th century. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

Kingston Presbyterian Church

The building itself was constructed in 1905 and expanded two more times. In 1979, the museum was established and it opened in 1981. It moved into the school in 2014.

The Horry County Museum is located in the former Burroughs School, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The museum features exhibits depicting the history of the county from prehistoric times to today. Topics covered include agricultural history, Native American culture and history, military history and natural history. Numerous artifacts and photographs are on display. Another highlight is the fish exhibit, which features a large tank containing local fish. The museum also opened L.W. Paul Living History Farm in 2009, enabling visitors to learn about life on a farm during the first half of the 20th century. 

Conway South Carolina Walking Tour

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