The nickname “The Independent Republic” can be traced back to Robert Barnwell Rhett, a prominent Charlestonian, who was pushing for secession in 1852. He tried to convert SC State Senator Benjamin Gause of Marion District to his position. Gause, a Whig and a Unionist, would not budge. Rhett, erroneously believing that Gause was a Senator form Horry District snapped “We’ll make the Little Pee Dee River the border and let you have your "Damned Independent Republic.” Gause was so amused that he started to refer to Horry District as the "Independent Republic." Apparently Gause told Horry District Judge James Beaty the story, who was also amused, and the story gradually spread. The nickname referred to political independence of what Barnwell thought was Horry District but was really Marion District.
Horry County contains 1,143 square miles, making it the largest county in land area in South Carolina.
An interesting geological formation called bays is found in Horry. These oval thickets have sandy rims, southwest-northeast axes, and no outlets. The water they collect drains through the soil. The Carolina bays are the habitat of the Venus flytrap and other rare species. Explanations for these formations range from meteor showers to underground streams but the debate as to their origin continues.
In early days, ships from all over the world sailed up and down the Waccamaw River, which was the main access to the interior.
Bucksville, located on the Waccamaw River in Horry County, was at one time during the second half of the nineteenth century the third largest port in South Carolina.
Television personality Vanna White is a native of Horry County.
Who built Upper Mill? Henry Buck
For whom or what was Myrtle Beach named? Wax myrtle shrub
