Socastee, Little River, and Barefoot Landing each maintain a distinct role in the county’s waterway identity
By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer
Horry County’s stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway is defined by three swing bridges – each with its own history, purpose, and place in the community’s daily rhythm. While fixed spans now dominate most of the region’s crossings, these three structures remain recognizable touchpoints for boaters, residents, and visitors moving between the county’s inland neighborhoods and its coastal corridors.
The Socastee Swing Bridge, built in 1936, stands as the county’s most historic example. Positioned at Dick Pond Road, the bridge continues to draw interest for its Depression‑era engineering and its role in connecting the Socastee community long before modern highway expansions. Mariners traveling the Intracoastal Waterway still pass beneath its swing span, a reminder of the region’s early transportation infrastructure.
Farther north, the Little River Swing Bridge serves the waterfront district of Little River. The bridge’s proximity to marinas, charter docks, and the town’s commercial strip makes it a familiar sight for boat captains navigating the narrow bends of the waterway. Its swing mechanism accommodates steady recreational traffic, especially during peak fishing and tourism seasons.
In North Myrtle Beach, the Barefoot Swing Bridge serves a distinct purpose. Unlike the county’s older, original waterway spans, this bridge was relocated from North Carolina and installed in 2000 to serve as a primary vehicular artery for the Barefoot Resort and Golf complex. While it features a pedestrian sidewalk and is a common site for those strolling to and from the shopping and entertainment district, it is a fully functioning road bridge that accommodates steady vehicle traffic and must open regularly for marine vessels.
Together, these bridges illustrate the county’s layered relationship with the Intracoastal Waterway — part transportation network, part historic landmark system, and part tourism corridor.
While newer fixed bridges carry the bulk of modern traffic, the swing bridges continue to operate as living pieces of Horry County’s infrastructure story.
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