I first ran across evidence of the Barefoot Resort Archeological sites in the “Development Agreement” between Silver Carolina and the City of North Myrtle Beach recorded March 22, 2000 in Horry County deed book 2244, page 922. This document contains a “Received Jul 12 1999” stamp and was entered into on 11/3/1999 with an effective date of 10/16/1999.
This document contains the following schedule E on a page by itself:
SCHEDULE E
Preservation of Historic Structures
- Archaeological Sites. Two archeological sites, as identified on the Master Site Plan, exist on the Property. Developer is in compliance with the State Historic Preservation Office Agreement dated December 10, 1998.
I had heard nothing of any archeological sites and a few people I asked knew nothing. I also found a minor mention in the city’s 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
I asked at the North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum. They knew nothing and had a little difficulty recognizing land West of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway as part of the City of North Myrtle Beach. They were interested and asked me to report on anything I found out about the sites.
I obtained a copy of the “Memorandum of Agreement” from the State Historic Preservation Office. This agreement was accepted by Silver Carolina Vice President Robert “Shep” Guyton on 11/24/1998. It stipulated that the two listed sites be preserved in place and permanently marked with approved signage.
I obtained a copy of the “Barefoot Landing” Master Plan from NMB, but this plan did not contain any Archeological Site information as claimed. I asked the NMB development department and no one knew anything about Archeological sites.
I asked Robert “Shep” Guyton and was referred to Thomas Staats. Requests to Mr. Staats were ignored.
I was able to identify the two sites are referred to as 38HR187 and 38HR388. They were discovered by surveys looking for a route to construct Hwy 22 and documented in “Archaeological Survey and Testing of the Lower Canal Waterway and Coke Bottle Tracts, Horry County, South Carolina (Reid and Southerlin, 1998)”. I was unable to obtain a copy of that survey as the State of South Carolina considers all archeological information to be secret to try and prevent theft of artifacts. But I did find someone at the State Archives who verbally told me the sites contained Woodland Indian pottery artifacts but wouldn’t provide any location information. I was directed to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Office of Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) for further information.
I did eventually find plat filed with Horry County in book 195, page 154 that contained references to the two Archeological Sites. This plat was recorded Feb 6, 2004. It showed one site in the middle of the 18th fairway of the Love Golf Course. 
The other site is between the 6th and 7th hole of the Norman Golf Course in a landscaped area used for growing plugs.
I asked the USACE if they had any additional information regarding the archeological site preservation on the permit. They declined to
Satellite photos from Google Earth show the sites had been cleared and bulldozed before February 1999. Obviously, development of the golf courses preceded any permits or authorization to develop.
- Nov 1998 – Memorandum of Agreement approved (signed by Robert “Shep” Guyton).
- Prior to Feb 1999 – Archeological Sites destroyed.
- April 1999 – Army Corp of Engineers Permit approved (signed by Robert “Shep” Guyton).
- August 1999 – Restrictive Covenants to preserve the Archeological Sites approved (signed by Robert “Shep” Guyton).
- October 1999 – North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission approves development.
- November 1999 – Development Agreement approved (signed by Robert “Shep” Guyton).
It’s no wonder Robert “Shep” Guyton is currently facing 167 ethics charges.
The two Archeological Sites have been lost forever. It’s a little sad to read through the documents that claim adherence to the Archeological Site Preservation restriction will be monitored by US Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE), the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), US Coast Guard, and City of North Myrtle Beach. They all dropped the ball.
It would be nice to get at least some approved signage installed.