Castle Dracula in Myrtle Beach a retro look back

Published on 25 September 2024 at 14:41

Did YOU know Count Dracula of Transylvania and Hollywood fame used to live in Myrtle Beach?  Well, that's RIGHT!  Ol Vlad had a vacation home right here on Ocean Boulevard!

 

The Castle Dracula Wax Museum, also known as Dracula’s Castle, was a beloved attraction in Myrtle Beach. It was known for its spooky, gothic atmosphere and lifelike wax figures of famous horror characters, including Dracula himself. Visitors could walk through eerie, dimly lit corridors and rooms filled with detailed scenes from classic horror movies.

 

The Castle Dracula Wax Museum in Myrtle Beach opened in 1975. It quickly became a popular spot for those looking for a spooky kitschy fun and entertaining experience!

With their daring slogan 'Come "Kill" a little time with us!', and attractions like 'House of Frankenstein', 'The exorcism' as well as a 'glass maze' this was one unforgettable attraction!  While little of the Castle survives in photos, some of the attractions live on inside Ripley's Museum's rotating attractions!

 

An advertisement we found for the attraction reads:

'FOOLISH

MORTALS 

BEWARE!

This is 

Castle Dracula

Here at Castle Dracula, the beach's original wax museum, there are many monsters to behold. The creatures roaming the halls of the castle are not living- yet... they are not dead.  For as you shall see for yourself they move and talk and sometimes even SCREAM! Be warned, that this is not just another wax museum.

No indeed. When you walk the steps of the haunted stairs you are on your own.  Don't turn back, there is no turning back.  You must finish this journey of terror.

I shouldn't tell you about this, but I know you're dying of curiosity.  The mysterious organ music you hear is plated by none of ther than the Phantom of the Opera. Candle lights flicker in the hallway and becon you toward the Seance Room. The crystal ball glows and the table floats above the floor.

Thunder crashes about you, a dog howls and you are ther at the Body Snatcher's.  The Hunchback may try to do you in so don't linger too long.  of course I can't tell you all about Castle Dracula... there isn't time, it's midnight and I must go.  Goodbye, and see you again when you return for another terror trip through Castle Dracula

KILL A LITTLE TIME WITH US"

 

This advert doubled as a mask with instructions reading: "KEEP BROCHURE AS MASK, USE TAPE OR STRING TO HOLD IN PLACE", and listed some of the attractions therein.

Dracula, The Crypt, Phantom of the Opera, Wolf Man, Pit and Pendulum (an attraction in Ripley's collection now along with several other torture scenarios formerly displayed at Castle Dracula), the aforementioned seance room, body snatchers, hunchback the 'House of Frankenstein' a 'light show' that in other adverts was billed as a 'canadian light show'{?!} perhaps a seasonal show to coincide with Myrtle Beach's seasonal Canadian visitors?  Either way we have no idea what a 'Canadian Light Show' would look like, but we are positive it would scare you silly, and 'many many more'.

 

Unfortunately, the museum was destroyed by a fire in 1975, it was rebuilt but ultimately closed in 1982.  Despite its closure, it remains a nostalgic memory for many who visited it during its heyday.

 

While the Castle is long gone, Myrtle Beach wasn't out of the Wax Museum business for good!  The Hollywood Wax Museum chain opened a location across from Broadway at the Beach and is a popular destination in today's instagram age.  And WHILE the sculptures might look a lot better and your friends at home might not be able to tell you didn't REALLY meet (checks notes) Bruce Lee or Bela Legosi on your trip, this Retro Guy SURE misses the kitschy cheesy goodness some of Myrtle Beach's older attractions provided.  

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