Gullah Corridor signs go up in Horry County

Two historical signs have been erected along U.S. 17 near the North Carolina/South Carolina border and near Murrells Inlet at the border between Georgetown and Horry counties.

“The presence of these signs represents a lot of hard work that came before them,” said Veronica D. Gerald, English professor at Coastal Carolina University and vice chairman of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Commission.

“The work began in the early 1980s when most of it had to do with raising awareness, telling the story and educating the people,” she said. These signs will tell drivers that they are travelling along the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor as well as recognize the Gullah Geechee people, their heritage and contributions.

The corridor is comprised of the coastal regions (and 30 miles inland) beginning around Pender County, N.C., and continuing along U.S. 17 to St. Augustine, Fla.,  making Horry County a part of a nationally recognized Heritage Area.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is the 49th of 49 such designations around the country.

“I am always so impressed when I think that this recognition places us right alongside other National Heritage Areas like Niagara Falls,” said Gerald.

The signs placed in Horry County are two of nearly 100 signs placed along the corridor in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.