Horry County, located in Northeastern South Carolina, traces its modern-day boundaries to 1785, when it was known as "Kingston County." It had previously been included in several colonial parishes and jurisdictions.

In 1801, the area was renamed the "Horry District" for Brig. Gen. Peter Horry, who served in the Revolutionary War. The swampy and forested region gained its present moniker in 1868 and is divided from inland South Carolina by the Little Pee Dee River. Nicknamed "The Independent Republic of Horry," though contemporary historians question the legitimacy of this sobriquet, Horry County possesses a diverse heritage. For instance, Conway, which sits along the Waccamaw River, is known for its lumber heritage, while Myrtle Beach is noted for being a nationally known tourist destination. Additionally, Horry County's rural communities have made invaluable contributions to American agriculture and the tobacco trade. Comprehensively, all these elements allow Horry County to hold a unique ambience special to South Carolina's culture.

Ryan A. McRae, a historian, graduate of Coastal Carolina University, and area resident with family ties to Myrtle Beach, chronicles Horry County's past with images he captured or collected himself, and through photographs belonging to museums and community members alike.