By admin 
It is a tale of two Conways.
One in South Carolina, the other in Arkansas.
They are often confused with one another, much to the annoyance of those who Google for information in “Conway” and don’t specify which one.
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“We do get it some,” said Rachel Shaw, executive director of Visit Conway in Conway, Arkansas. “Accidentally, someone who is Googling Conway, they might get the other. I do it myself.”
Shaw said when searching for something on the city government’s website, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve clicked on Conway, South Carolina.”
Over the years, there have been other instances of mixups, such as Conway Medical Center in South Carolina being confused with Conway Regional Medical Center in Arkansas. And in May, residents became concerned about a billion-dollar data center proposed in Conway, only to discover it was not in South Carolina but, you guessed it, Arkansas.
But a recent petition to “reclaim the name Conway” from someone claiming to be from Conway, Arkansas, has raised the ire of hundreds of South Carolina residents, who commented on the proposal posted in a Conway, SC, Facebook group. The petition is addressed to the “Mayor, City Council, and Residents of Conway, South Carolina.”
It’s unclear if the petition was actually sent to the city or if it is purely satire. City officials were not available for comment by publication.
“For far too long, the people of Conway, Arkansas have been forced to live with the outrageous inconvenience of sharing their city’s name with a municipality in South Carolina. Every time someone mentions ‘Conway,’ we are forced to ask: ‘Arkansas or South Carolina’?” the petition says.
The petition says that “There needs to be only one Conway” and demands that the South Carolina city change its name. It even offers some suggestions such as “Conway 2” or “South Conway.”
Despite the same name, it’s easy to understand why the two cities would be confused. They are actually more alike than different, right down to their historic foundings.
Here’s what to know about the two cities.
When were they founded
Conway, Arkansas, was founded in 1872 and incorporated in 1875, named for a famous Arkansas family that included the state’s first elected governor, James Sevier Conway.
South Carolina’s Conway was founded in 1732 as Kingston. The name was later changed to Conwayborough for Gen. Robert Conway, and in 1883, the General Assembly changed the name to Conway.
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Located on Main Street
Both cities are their county seats of government in Horry County, South Carolina, and Faulkner County, Arkansas.
City halls in both cities are located on Main Street.
How many people live there?
As of 2023, Conway, SC, had more than 27,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census.
Conway, Arkansas, has more than 70,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, Shaw said.
Each have a nickname
Every October, Conway, South Carolina, changes its name to the City of Halloween as the town is fully decorated for the holiday.
Conway, Arkansas, is known as the City of Colleges.
A city of colleges
Both cities have colleges.
Conway, SC, has Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
There are three colleges in Conway, Arkansas: Hendrix College, Central Baptist College, and the University of Central Arkansas.
Historic downtowns
Situated along the Waccamaw River, Conway, South Carolina’s, important industry was “naval stores,” such as turpentine and lumber.
Conway, Arkansas, is a railroad town, and the train tracks still run through the town, Shaw said.
Both cities are known for their picturesque downtowns, historic charm and a vibrant culture and entertainment activities.
There are more Conways
These two cities are not the only ones named Conway in the U.S.
There also is Conway, New Hampshire; Conway, Massachusetts; and several unincorporated towns, including Conway, Washington; Conway, Florida; and Conway, North Carolina.
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