Additional Resources

The Story Behind the Story

From rare photographs to historical resources, press coverage, and behind-the-scenes extras—this is your place to explore more of the world around Charlie’s Place. Browse the photo gallery, read up on the history, watch related documentaries, and discover how to visit in person. The story doesn’t stop with the podcast.

Photo Gallery Resource Guide Press Room

Photo Gallery

Myrtle Beach photographer Jack Thompson took thousands of pictures of visitors over the years posing with cutouts like this all over the Grand Strand, including at the Boardwalk, the Pavilion and Charlie's Place.

Atlantic Beach, S.C., known as "The Black Pearl" was one of the few black-owned beaches in the south, a refuge where African Americans could go to the beach and operate freely during the segregation era.

Photos from a collection by Atlantic Beach resident Alice Graham. Undated photo of the Hotel Gordon in Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach, S.C., known as "The Black Pearl" was one of the few black-owned beaches in the south, a refuge where African Americans could go to the beach and operate freely during the segregation era.

Photos from a collection by Atlantic Beach resident Alice Graham. Undated photo shows a couple walking to the beach in Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach, S.C., known as "The Black Pearl" was one of the few black-owned beaches in the south, a refuge where African Americans could go to the beach and operate freely during the segregation era.

Photos from a collection of Atlantic Beach resident Graham. Names listed on this undated Atlantic Beach photo are Beluah Quick, Beulah Melchoir and E.B. Gordon. Atlantic Beach, S.C., known as "The Black Pearl" was one of the few black-owned beaches in the south, a refuge where African Americans could go to the beach and operate freely during the segregation era.

Downtown Myrtle Beach bustles with traffic on Ocean Boulevard during the 1950s.

The Oceanfront boardwalk area of Myrtle Beach showing the iconic Gay Dolphin during the segregation era.

An Easter parade takes place on Kings Highway in front of the Kozy Korner in the 1950s.

Charlie Fitzgerald poses with the wait staff at Charlie's Place.

The Fitzgerald Motel before being restored into the current iteration of Charlie's Place, shown here in 2016.

Cynthia "Shag" Harrell celebrates her birthday at Charlie's Place.

Dino Thompson, right, sits with friends Tommy and Charlie at Charlie's Place.

An integrated crowd of patrons hangs out at Charlie's Place nightclub.

The staff of Charlie's Place poses at the bar of the nightclub together in 1954. Photo by Jack Thompson.

A large group of ladies poses together at Charlie's Place before a night of dancing and revelry.

A historic photo of the Fitzgerald Motel, which sat next door to Charlie's Place nightclub and housed many famous musicians over the years.

Little Club Bamboo was a nother, lesser known hotspot along Carver Street in the neighborhood known as "The Hill" in downtown Myrtle Beach.

Herb Riley, his wife Mary, and Dino Thompson pose with the historical marker for Charlie's Place upon its renovation.

One of the few surviving photos of Charlie Fitzgerald at Charlie's Place.

One of the few surviving photos of Charlie Fitzgerald, with his wife Sarah, at Charlie's Place.

Resource Guide

Where to Learn More

The podcast is just the start. There are also a variety of articles, books and films covering the history of Charlie's Place and its impact on music, civil rights and the Myrtle Beach area. Here's some additional ways to learn more about the story:

Walk Through the Legacy of Charlie’s Place in Myrtle Beach

Charlie’s Place was never just a nightclub. It was a cultural crossroads—a defiant, joyful space where music, movement, and...

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The Music That Moved a Movement: The Legacy of Charlie’s Place

At Charlie’s Place, the music wasn’t just entertainment—it was rebellion. It was joy. It was community. In a time when...

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Charlie’s Place on SCETV’s Carolina Stories

In 2018, South Carolina ETV (SCETV) and PBS aired a powerful half-hour documentary as part of its award-winning Carolina Stories...

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Follow The Show

Press Room

Charlie's Place is a podcast series co-produced by Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch in partnership with Pushkin Industries and Visit Myrtle Beach. Binge the entire season early and ad-free by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Charlie's Place show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. For all media inquiries, please contact Christine Regasa by clicking here.

New Podcast Co-Produced by Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch Showcases Charlie's Place

Podcast Series Co-Produced by Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch in Partnership with Pushkin Industries and Visit Myrtle Beach Debuts...

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A Conversation with Charlie's Place Host Rhym Guissé

Filmmaker and podcast host Rhym Guissé spent more than 2 years digging into the life of Charlie Fitzgerald—chasing leads, talking...

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About The Show

Charlie's Place is a podcast series co-produced by Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch in partnership with Pushkin Industries and Visit Myrtle Beach. Hosted by filmmaker Rhym Guissé, the show uncovers the hidden history of a legendary Black nightclub in Jim Crow-era South Carolina—and the people who made it a symbol of culture, resistance, and community. Starting July 21st, binge the entire season early and ad-free by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Charlie's Place show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.