Atlantic Beach South Carolina Neighbors & Friends
Join STARD in preserving the legacy of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina — the last, Black-governed, oceanfront beach town in the United States. Atlantic Beach stands as a symbol of resilience, with deep historical and cultural significance as the premier, segregated resort destination for Blacks during the Jim Crow eras. The town is now experiencing an epic comeback spearheaded primarily by African American families drawn to the town’s unique history. Families that are building high-valued homes and transforming Atlantic Beach into an elite getaway and distinguished resort community in the south for creatives, professionals and snowbirds — once again. But the risk of overdevelopment looms large. The new life and vitality that’s occurring faces threats from large-scale condo development. The type of high-density condo development that’s erased other historically Black beach towns.
STARD (Supporters for Tyson’s Ancestral Restriction of the Deeds) was formed to protect the original residential deed restrictions that allow only “one residence per lot” along the town’s beachfront. This safeguard is central to our mission, ensuring that Atlantic Beach’s rich heritage, Gullah-Geechee values, stunning coastline and municipal charter remain intact. Help us continue to revitalize Atlantic Beach for future generations to enjoy.
Promote the Legacy of Live Music in Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach was the premier resort location in coastal South Carolina where Black musicians had to lodge while performing in segregated beach communities. Following those gigs, the Atlantic Beach community would be filled with the sounds of the finest jazz, blues and soul musicians in the United States making music into the night at the town’s entertainment venues, and tourist establishments that welcomed black vacationers.
STARD’S mission is to continue to revitalize our community by sponsoring flagship events that embrace the history of Atlantic Beach as an entertainment venue. We seek to support the local economy, provide a platform for artists, inform the public while celebrating the town’s unique American history and culture with beautiful art and entertaining bucket-list experiences for everyone to enjoy. We welcome musicians, artists and artisans from near and far, showcasing their talents with performances and exhibits. What better way to honor the legacy of music in Atlantic Beach.
Preservation
STARD supports issues related to preserving the town’s natural heritage and maintaining favorable precedents, like the Tyson residential deed restrictions of the 1930’s that protect and preserve Atlantic Beach’s independence, its oceanfront landscape, history, and culture for future generations to enjoy.
STARD FUNDRAISER EVENT
Atlantic Beach Shared Experiences of Segregation in Recreation
Environmental Impact
Have you ever considered the impact of high-rise construction in beachfront and small beach towns?
While most beach-adjacent communities may seem prime real estate for developers, the negative environmental effects can be long-lasting and detrimental to the community. The cultural impacts can be irreversible.
In addition to risking the senseless destruction of the town’s character, other significant impacts are the loss of public beach access and natural habitat such as sand dunes. Large scale commercial construction often leads to increased runoff into the ocean, due to the increased amount of impervious surface area. This means water cannot penetrate the ground, so instead, it runs off into the ocean, carrying pollutants such as chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizer and can harm aquatic life and make it unsafe for swimming.
Infrastructure Impact
The construction of high rises in small beach towns leads to a strain on local infrastructure and resources. It brings increased noise and air pollution, negatively impacting the health of the community – the very people who chose to reside in a historic small-town vacation community exactly for that character.
It’s no secret that Special-Interest Associations and Hotel Condo Boards have a reputation for working against the towns they reside in. These organizations often put a strain on town resources and services, leaving the town to foot the bill for legal fees, trash disposal, road maintenance, and more. It’s a frustrating problem for the people who live in these towns, as they are left to deal with the noise of semi-trucks, potholes, and other issues caused by the influx of people and goods. But who is responsible for making sure these issues are addressed? STARD is an organization of property-owning citizens working diligently to see that our elected officials keep Atlantic Beach safe and healthy.
Smart Growth & Strategic Planning
STARD supports smart growth and strategic planning that (1) complies with the law, (2) is consistent with the natural character of Atlantic Beach, and (3) meets the needs of the community. STARD continuously works with civic planners, historians, environmentalists, and advocates to address economic, environmental, coastal zone management, and quality of life issues primarily related to the protection of the unique history and distinctive coastline of Atlantic Beach. All stakeholders have a voice for shared goals in planned development: the town’s Planning & Zoning Commissions, council members, as well as residents and property owners.
Our Latest Video
This video shows the coastline of historic Atlantic Beach, South Carolina — the last Black beach town in the United States. It’s a four block, quiet, pristine beach of white sand and colorful shells. You can see that it stands out in stark contrast to the neighboring beaches from with the pink high-rises to its north in Crescent Beach to the 8 to10 story mid-rises to its south in Windy Hill.
Like most of the Grand Strand, those North Myrtle Beach oceanfronts are crowded with condos and hotels, some stretching to greater than 20 stories and all of them blocking views of the ocean. Atlantic Beach, affectionately known as “the Black Pearl” is unique. Its coastline hosts beautiful, recently built beach homes, an immaculate Mediterranean-style home built in the 90s and a historic home built in the 60s. Newly constructed homes are being built
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Latest News on STARD
Helen Pierce’s Love for Atlantic Beach: A Fight to Protect its Soul from High-density Condo Development
The soft breeze off the Atlantic, the warm sand underfoot, and the tight-knit community make this historic South Carolina town unique. But now, all of that is under threat. Big developers are eyeing Atlantic Beach’s prime oceanfront property for high-rise condos,...
Defiant Atlantic Beach SC Resident Lands a Knock Down on Aggressive Oceanfront Development Plans
Atlantic Beach, SC — With elegance, grace, and a dash of former model flair, Ms. Porterissia McNeill, proud owner of a breathtaking Mediterranean-style home on the peaceful oceanfront of Atlantic Beach, SC, took on Morant Properties, LLC, a New York developer aiming...
IGGAD Conference Atlantic Beach Tour and STARD Fundraiser
This past February, the vibrant community of Atlantic Beach, SC, came alive for a heartfelt gathering of engaging activities and meaningful moments that highlighted the significance of preserving this historic beach town. The event began with a film screening of "A...
Family Of Josephine Wright Wins Settlement To Protect Their Hilton Head Island Property
Josephine Wright, a 94-year-old woman from South Carolina, spent her last days fighting to protect her late husband’s ancestral land on Hilton Head Island from Bailey Point Investment, LLC, a major housing developer. Now, two months after her passing, a settlement has...
Citizens are committed to preserving The Pearl
Atlantic Beach Neighbors and Contributors of STARD. Today we face a critical moment in our fight against gentrification by a New York condo/hotel developer on the precious environmental and cultural landscape of Atlantic Beach. The stakes are high, and our energy must...
Atlantic Beach: Historic African-American Enclave in South Carolina
In the state of “Smiling Faces and Beautiful Places,” between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, lies a pearl. Atlantic Beach, nicknamed “The Black Pearl” for its rich history and African-American owned businesses, is located in Horry County (pronounced OH-ree) in...