Charlie’s Place: Uncovering Myrtle Beach’s Rich Black History and Cultural Legacy
Black History Month in February invites us to deepen our understanding of the African American experience, honoring the struggles and triumphs that shaped our nation. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this history is vividly captured at Charlie’s Place—a landmark African American nightclub and hotel that played a pivotal role in the segregated era.
Owned by Charlie and Sarah Fitzgerald from the late 1930s to the early 1960s in the Booker T. Washington Neighborhood, Charlie’s Place was a vibrant hub for Black entertainers. Legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Little Richard, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne performed here and stayed overnight—something forbidden at white establishments like the nearby Ocean Forest Hotel. The venue drew diverse crowds, united by music, dancing, and camaraderie.
Tragically, in 1950, a Ku Klux Klan raid from nearby Conway targeted the nightclub. Armed Klansmen in 26 cars fired hundreds of shots, beating Charlie Fitzgerald—who miraculously recovered and reopened his business. One Klansman died from friendly fire, but no prosecutions followed despite charges.
The Fitzgerald home, nightclub, and hotel remnants stand today at 1420 Carver Street. Since 2017, Myrtle Beach has led preservation efforts, transforming the home into a community center and event space. Ongoing renovations include motel units: some as a segregation-era museum, others for shops and classes.
Schedule a free Tuesday tour (limited due to COVID-19) by contacting Alfreda Funnye at 843-918-1056 or afunnye@cityofmyrtlebeach.com. Dive deeper with the Emmy-winning “Charlie’s Place” documentary on www.pbs.org or here.
Nearby Attraction: Visit the Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum & Education Center, just blocks away. It showcases African American education from 1932–1953, local history exhibits, and community programs.
