**SUMMER 2024**

In 1961, my grandparents set out from their roots in SC to embark on a new adventure that landed them on a sandy, sparsely inhabited and largely undeveloped stretch of land in North Carolina known then as Holden's Beach. As post-war America began to take shape, my grandfather recognized the opportunity such a beautiful place could offer. Charming, handsome, and a well-educated law graduate from the University of South Carolina, he swapped life in SC politics for a new career in real estate sales, and in 1962, along with my father, they bought Holden Beach Realty Corp and began marketing Holden Beach as the perfect vacation destination for families to rent and build summer homes where special lifelong memories would be made, away from the distractions of crowds, noise and bustling industry. In 1964, my grandparents built their own piece of heaven on Holden Beach--this small 3-bedroom cottage that would be their permanent residence and the place where the grandchildren and extended family gathered every Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve from 1964-2002.

Although there have been a few upgrades since 2007 such as vinyl replacement windows throughout, ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom, a new HVAC system in 2015, and a new roof in 2021, today, the cottage remains much as it was: A modest 1100 sq ft 3BR/1BA whimsically furnished, open floor plan situated on a favorably located 2nd-row lot, with a view of the ocean. The original hardwood floors, knotty pine walls, and ceilings all glow with history and the patina of 60 years of love, laughter, and lives lived fully. On at least two corners of the wall down the hallway are faded hash marks from the 1970s, made by my cousins and myself, comparing our height to the years previous!
Outside, the spacious front porch beckons for feet-up relaxation and there is the added convenience of a deeded (not maintained by the Town of HB) beach access directly across the street. There is an outdoor shower (cold water only) to rinse beach sand, a laundry room downstairs, and a spacious parking area that can accommodate 2-3 vehicles. We also offer a modest grilling patio and a small fully enclosed backyard area for pets.

"Carolina Country" is a singular experience best suited for smaller groups of 5 or less. If you're looking for chic marble bathrooms and dry-walled bedrooms with wall-to-wall carpeting, this property is not for you. Guests of "Carolina Country" tend to be those that appreciate authenticity, charm and nostalgia without sacrificing small modern conveniences such as a Keurig coffee maker (there is a conventional coffee maker provided as well), outlets with usb charging stations and 2 Roku streaming tv’s. Ours is a home with a true family history that is woven within the framework of Holden Beach and we invite our guests to come experience the enchantment that few other homes on the island can still offer.

About Us:

My husband and I are Holden Beach natives and we, along with our 3 daughters, are still locals in this community. We take pride in our long-standing history at Holden Beach and in ownership of our family home so we strive to be good hosts and to offer our guests a most welcoming, comfortable, and relaxing vacation experience. In doing so, we choose not to delegate routine maintenance or cleaning tasks to a vacation rental company or maid service. We appreciate our guests and get excited about preparing the house! We clean, maintain and manage the property each week in anticipation of Saturday's arrival! If there is ever something we missed, we are personally available to address it immediately.

We have seen firsthand the many changes in the island since my grandparents moved here over 60+ years ago. Amid the ever-expanding size of the homes that continue to surround us, the impact of town building codes and FEMA regulations on older homes like ours prevent major constructive upgrades so, many of the older family homes end up being sold and then removed or destroyed to make way for larger places that may be out of reach and impractical for a small family or couple... Thankfully, our family has been fortunate enough to be able to maintain our little cottage by the sea through 5 generations to date.
Having weathered many storms both literally and figuratively, ‘Carolina Country' stands firm as a shining example of the life and energy of the wonderful family that still calls Holden Beach and this house, home.





Keywords: Beach House, Cottage, Vacation, Beach, Family, Pet-Friendly, Kids, Last-minute vacation