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Holden Beach Pier memories…approaching the double screen entrance doors to step into on those sandy concrete floors to everything you’d expect at the pier of Holden Beach! Off to the left were the glass top coolers filled with ice cream treats, canned sodas and frozen bait. Above them were the essential tackle needs and sundries like adult & kiddie sunglasses, hats, visors, flip flops, floaties, sand toys and sunblock. In the middle were shelves of knick-knacks, snacks and typical grocery items surrounded by metal trimmed counters with swiveling pedestal stools where people were checking in to the old hotel or campsite in one corner, sitting at the counter eating or standing in line to order food and pay for their purchases. It was always friendly mix of families, fishermen, and people of all ages giving their business to the pier. Off to the right was the huge recreational arcade area lined with windows and built in benches & arcade games that surrounded the pool, foosball and air hockey tables divided by a long two side bench down the middle dividing the the space. In the back ground you could hear the juke box playing, pinball machines ring, clack of pool balls and air hockey and the ping of a foosball score. Wherever you looked it was a community of people of all ages having enjoying the local pier. A trip to the pier was never complete if you didn’t go out on the pier itself though which was once free to the public as it should. Making your way to the rear doors that lead outside onto pier boardwalk you passed the counter to the left where fishing permits were sold surrounded by walls cover in photographs of the people with legendary fish caught off the pier! Feeling the ocean air and breeze as you traveled along that 1000’ pier over the ocean waves below was special, not mention taking in all the sights with a bird's eye view. Seeing people enjoying themselves fishing and their catch of the day or sitting a spell on the 6’ benches spaced every 10’ along the rails or picnic tables in the middle of the pier until you got to the very end where the big gazebo over picnic tables were located and the serious fishermen were set up to catch the big one. ‘The Pier’ is iconic to Holden Beach and all the memories come rushing back at the thought of it not saving it. It must be saved at all cost to be enjoyed by all in the future!
I've spent my entire life coming to Holden Beach. It is a second home to our family. I've cherished seeing my child experience & love Holden Beach as I did as a child, and I hope in the future he will take his children & grandchildren to grow up there as well. Though things have slowly changed over the years, it still keeps some of it's charm. We've lost the small quaint cottages to tall fancy houses obstructing views. We unfortunately even lost part of the pier, even though she is shorter, she remained. The pier is still one of those things that never changed completely. At least not to be completely gone forever. We have prayed through numerous hurricanes and storms that she would remain standing strong and she has. And now she needs some TLC in her old age. She doesn't need to be replaced with more tall structures instead of revitalizing her history and charm. So much could be done with this property for the town & would bring in income after revitalizing. Bring it back similar to the old pavilion, mini-golf, waterslides, arcade, restaurant, ice cream parlor, fishing, paying to walk and enjoy the pier day & night, etc. She's not a lost cause and we want to help rally to save her.
As I child in the 1970s, we would visit my aunt and uncle's Holden Beach house each summer. I have fond memories of hanging out all day at the pier, playing arcade games and sometimes fishing.
Each time I return to Holden Beach now as an adult, I always stop at the pier for nostalgia sake, grab some food and to purchase something to show my support.
Please don't remove this landmark. Restore it and make it a jewel for Holden Beach.
If the Holden Beach pier could talk to the town commissioners it would bear witness to its incredible historical significance to the people and community over the years it as it has stood. It would share with you the decades of endless hours thousands people have talked and pray with God, embraced or held the hand of a love one that may or may not be with them anymore. It would reveal the many secrets, decisions, commitments, plans and dreams discussed by those that walked it’s boards, sat on it’s benches and leaned on it’s rails over the decades of time. It would tell you of all the mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets and moons that shined over the water enjoyed by so many with an occasional falling star to wish on. It would share with you the many first kisses, dying wishes, as well as stories of great fishes. It would show you the thousands of names carved into it’s wood boards that have come and gone that reveal many of the visitors that were proud to make their mark on something historical that marked their life as the pier did for those of us that remember it so fondly. It would tell you of the many storms it's withstood as waves pounded it only to out survive it many other pics today. I’d think the pier would beg for you to save it while it is still holding on and do whatever is needed to restore and keep it accessible for future generations to experience firsthand what so many.have in days gone by. We, the people on behalf of the pier want this remaining bit of Holden Beach history to carry on. Thank you!
The Pier is the staple to almost every coastal town. Kids grow up amazed at the construction of such a structure, and being able to walk out over the ocean. As children, life lessons are learned, memories are made with parents, grandparents, siblings, and unexpected friends (even if for just that window of vacation). These are memories that every one of us carry with us for the remainder of our lives. For the ones of us dipping into our later years, it is a place for old friends to comeback and gather to stay in touch, but also to share a love of sport / hobby that some aren’t afforded with the means of a boat, or due to physical conditions, can no longer manage getting a boat in, and out of the water. The pier is such an important part of Holden Beach, and should be allowed to serve family’s here for many more years.
My family has enjoyed Holden Beach since the early 1950’s. We have owned island property there since the early 1970’s. I have 3 out of 5 siblings that live on the island now. I used to own a home there as well. Ever is was a very little girl I’ve carried the memories of “going to the pier” to be able to walk out over the ocean to view the horizon, sunsets and vast beach strand, look over into the depths of the water and waves, see what the fisherman were catching and talking with friends and visitors. Back in day, going to the HB pier or Surfside Pavilion (which is unfortunately gone) were the only attractions where the community could gather and it was the highlight of something to do on our little family beach. We spent our full summers at Holden Beach growing up. As a child our parents could take us to the pier for a snack or icecream, to fish, play games inside and walk out onto pier. As a teenager and young adult there were endless summer days spent on the beach around the pier enjoying all the wholesome activities it offered swimming, sunning, surfing, shelling, picking up trash, people watching, surfing contests, etc. with the respite of being able to go into the pier for food, drinks AC, outside restrooms and a walk to the end of the pier to watch the serious fisherman catch the big ones! Then, we would go home shower and come back to spend our evening there with our new and old friends, local and from afar to walk the pier, eat, play the put our quarters up to play the juke box, arcade games, pool, ice hockey, and foosball for hours until it was our curfew and a promise of looking forward to the same fun and good times at The HB Pier! As an adult I was able to do the same with my family until the pier closed. This was the only place where all people of various ages, from different locations, backgrounds could gather for ‘something to do’ years ago. I have many longtime friendships with folks that were formed decades ago on those very grounds. It was a place where the young and old all came together in making memories of the good times in the good ole days of Holden Beach. Most people cannot imagine what it was like to enjoy the pier at some point during the fifty some years while it was open and they do not appreciate or understand it’s history and significance. I can assure you that if we SAVE THE PIER through reconstruction it will once again be the highlight of Holden Beach an capture the hearts & minds of all!
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It is a shame that the new board members want to destroy something that has been so important to so many for so long. Holden Beach is a public beach and not a private island. I cannot understand how people that did not have the pleasure or the wonderful memories of growing up as a child, not only learning to fish but learning a lifestyle and life lessons that are priceless, can even fathom destroying something so wonderful, just because they can. I feel really sorry for them not having the memories that many generations have enjoyed and loved. The pier has been an icon to this entire community. If you want to keep Holden Beach the wonderful FAMILY beach that it is, then you need to keep the peir so that future family's can have the same wonderful experiences. Not everyone owns or has access to a boat for fishing nor does everyone have the access or the ability to surf fish. Please for GOD's sake keep and fix the pier for our future generations!
Well I think it’s actually stupid that we as a community even have to do this in order to save our pier! However, since some want to be ignorant on this matter here I am, signing because the pier means a lot to our community. There have been generations taught how to fish on that pier. If you did not grow up here then you truly wouldn’t understand & if you’ve moved here then you should respect the locals opinions on this. It’s part of our community & the thought of being tore down literally makes me sick.
I stand with the Towns decision to purchase the pier and block Q to keep parking for beach goers, locals and tourist. We need to save the heritage of our area and rebuild the pier with a restaurant for our town to continue to grow for the future. We are the least commercial beach town and this will only benefit the revenue for the town.
The pier has been there forever and I have wonderful memories of my grandfather fishing there. Myself and then my children visited the pier each summer while on vacation. The restaurant in the pier used to be a great place to grab a quick meal. Would love to see it reopened and include a restaurant, game room, etc like I remember from the 80’s. Hopefully, it would not be a hardship on owners nor raise taxes but would love to see it restored for future generations to enjoy.
The pier is important to the homeowners, local visitors and tourists.
Buying, closing and selling the adjacent campground so MORE private homes could he built proves the need for MORE direction from the tax payers.
The pier is one of the last remaining landmarks. Every beach town knows the financial and intrinsic value of a pier.
I live 8 minutes from Holden Beach. We spend all of our free time there. I support local Holden beach businesses way more often than the people who own investment properties at the beach. I want my kids to grow up with a beach that has a pier. We are avid fishermen and would utilize the pier if available.
I own a beach house that I rent on Holden Beach. I have owned it for over 40 years. The pier is an important part of Holden Beach history. It is an important attraction that brings enjoyment and happiness to all ages, renters and locals alike. It is the only place on the island where you can walk out over the water and enjoy the natural beauty of the ocean. The pier is an integral part of any beach environment and is what makes Holden Beach a very special place.
My family started vacationing in HB in 1978, owed property from 1984-1997 and I spent many spring, summer, and falls at the pier. The pier is iconic and has weathered many storms that has signified HB strength and resilience!
I have personal owned and lived on HB since 2000 and I can’t imagine a life on HB without the pier!
Love to vacation at Holden beach!
The pier is historic and used to be the longest one on the East Coast. It needs to be saved and restored.
The pier is historic and used to be the longest one on the East Coast. It needs to be saved and restored.
We own property on Holden. Preserving the history on the island is very important to us.
We own land @148 Greensboro street and piers are very important to island communities.
My mother has a home on the island and i have been coming to Holden since I was a young child. I remember going to the pier with my dad(who has passed) and my mother,walking out on the pier and playing mini golf. We even stayed at the camp ground before the purchase of the home. My daughter also grew up coming to Holden Beach. Along with my brother and his family. Would be ashamed to do away with the pier,its like a landmark. Who ever heard of a beach without a pier.
In my opinion a beach is not a beach without a pier. If it wasn’t for the fishermen that built and fished the pier there would not be a beach. It amazes me that we the people that have camped and fished at this pear for many many years seems to not matter to anyone at Holden beach. Sheathed you walk or fish the pier it is a land mark and it should be saved.
The pier is a special place because I love to fish. I am getting older and surf fishing is becoming more difficult. The pier is a more practical option for me at 70 years old.It has also become a social network for myself and my family. Please reopen the pier before I get to old to enjoy fishing.
Every beach town needs a pier fishing at the beach piers bring revenue and lifetime memories.
My house is directly across street from the pier. I used to drive to the Holden Beach pier and fis as much as I could as a teenager and young adult. That's where I fell in love with this place and bought here.
I’ve lived on Holden Beach 33 years and the pier is part of our lived experience. Public beaches have piers and they are a wonderful gathering place
Local Business owner
The pier means a lot to myself and many others, and demolishing the pier would demolish our hearts. The money the town spends on useless stuff should be put toward taking better care of the pier!!
The pier has long been a centerpiece of the Holden Beach community, with something to offer every member of the family. It is crucial that we not only maintain but also commit to improving the pier as well as all of the recreational resources for our community, property owners and visitors alike.