This well-kept marker sits in front of the current Wilson High School. The small print indicates…read morethat it was erected by the Wilson High School Alumni Association, Inc., 2010. The grounds near the marker are in good shape and it's right in front of what looks like a well maintained and successful educational institution. The marker is on two sides. Here's what it says, front and back: Wilson School, later Wilson High School, was the first public school in Florence, and stood here from 1866 to 1906. At first a private school for black children, it was established by the New England Branch of the Freedmen´s Union Commission and operated by the Freedmen´s Bureau. Thomas C. Cox, its first principal, later served as Darlington County sheriff. The school became a public school after the S.C. Constitution of 1868 authorized a system of free public schools. Rev. Joshua E. Wilson (1844-1915), a Methodist minister, was an early principal of what was long called "the Colored Graded School." It was most likely named Wilson School for him. The school on this site, a frame building, was torn down in 1906 to make way for Central School. A new Wilson School was built on Athens Street. Wilson High School was on Athens Street 1906-1956 and on North Irby Street 1956-1982. It has been on Old Marion Highway since 1982.

According to the marker, "The first courthouse at this site was destroyed by fire March 19, 1806. A…read morelater building, thought to have been designed by architect Robert Mills, burned in 1866 and in 1873 was rebuilt. The subsequent courthouse, built 1903-1904, was in use until 1964 when the present structure was completed." This structuring houses the County Circuit Court of the 4th Judicial Circuit. It is a six-story brick, concrete, stone and glass structure. The roofline is flat. It's basically a big square cube with vertical stripes of windows and brick bands. As of 2023, there is still a Confederate Monument on the property. [Review 20974 overall - 1110 in South Carolina - 1959 of 2023.]

This review is only based on visiting the exterior as a landmark. The building has historical…read moresignificance to Darlington County, and the current building was built in 1964. There is a small square in front which looks like it could be used for small events. There is also a Conderate memorial here to check out. This winter visit was not the most colorful, but the building looks unique and distinctive to an era. It is still used for county government use.

I always enjoy visiting this library! Plenty of space for adults and children! There's meeting…read morespaces, variety of book genres and a dedicated tables for work needs.

Main library in Florence, off S Irby St the main road that runs through city. This building is…read moremassive from the outside, although inside half of it is closed off for employees space, parking garage, loading dock, and Book Mobile. The library space inside downstairs has kids section, meeting room, new arrival books, non fiction, books for sale on honor system. Upstairs has the South Carolina room which is the history area with microfiche machines. In addition there is a small art gallery, public computers, study rooms, newspapers. I came here to get library card so could use Libby app for audio books. The employee I spoke to was very pleasant in explaining the library set up.

The present courthouse was built in 1885 , but was extensively alter in 1951 . It sits in the…read moremiddle of town and is a focal point of the old small town . I grew up here and spent many times walking here with my Dad , especially in the winter time when we would come and feed the squirrels pecans . The grounds have several monuments such as a tall monument for the Confederate Soldiers of Marlboro County who died during the Civil War . There is also another for all Veterans of the Military , like myself . Another for Palmer's Field which is where pilots were trained for World War I . There is also a plaque on one of the original steps of the oldest courthouse . The grounds are kept nice with lots of flowers and well cut grass . Several flag poles in front and historical markers . The courthouse is still used for county records , courts , and other government offices . Walking the halls is like going back in time .

This roadside marker recalls an important local citizen who fought in the Revolutionary War. It is…read moreprinted on two sides. On the front, "Andrew Hunter (d. 1823), planter, state representative, and county official, is buried in the Hunter family cemetery about 400 ft. south. During the American Revolution he ran a grist mill several miles south on High Hill Creek, supplying meal and corn to the Patriots in the Southern Department. He also served as a scout in the state militia under Gen. Francis Marion." On the reverse, "In 1782 Hunter, scouting in N.C., was captured by Col. David Fanning, a prominent Loyalist. He escaped on Fanning's horse, taking his saddle, holsters, pistols, and papers. After the war he represented St. David's Parish (1787-88) and Darlington County (1796-97) in the South Carolina House of Representatives and served on commissions for roads, navigation, and a new courthouse and jail." It is noteworthy that Andrew Hunter was part of a group of Darlington County residents who, in 1812, signed a resolution declaring war against Great Britain. https://dchcblog.net/2018/07/13/darlington-county-response-to-declaration-of-war/ [Review 14306 overall, 1630 of 2020, number 687 in South Carolina.]

Along a quiet road in a small town, this marker points out the history of this former school that…read morenow serves as a community center. There is room to pull over to read the marker. On the front, "Ney School. About 1843 Robert Rogers (1808-1882), a planter at "Blooming Grove" in the Back Swamp community of what was then Darlington District, built a plantation schoolhouse and hired Peter Stuart Ney (d. 1846) to teach his children. The original building, moved here in 1870, was later the library for Back Swamp School (1921-1950). In 1970 it was moved to the home of Evander McIver Ervin." And on the reverse, "Back Swamp School. This school, the second on the site, was built in 1921 by Back Swamp residents. An elementary school sometimes known as St. Winifred's, it boasted as many as two teachers and sixty students in some years. When it closed in 1950 its students were transferred to Florence schools; it has since served as the Back Swamp Community Center." It is marker number 21-13 and was erected in 2000 by the Darlington County Historical Commission. [Review 20975 overall - 1111 in South Carolina - 1960 of 2023.]

When I come to North Carolina I can't help but think of vinegar and pepper, split pig and fire…read moreunderneath a glistening of pure mountain air, with whiskey and twilight where men still living pass the bottle and barbecue pigs under tin-roofed sheds with embers. Ahhh yes that's the Carolina I know and love, I have family here but most have passed away and have become a blue smoke in my memory. As I stepped out of my rented SUV after crossing the state line I couldn't help but think of the recent passing of my Uncle Al at 94 years - he was a man among men and bigger than life to all who knew him, he alone is North Carolina to me. This stop was solemn and sobering as I made my way to the interior of the welcome center for a moment of reflection and to warm my hands near the flickering fire burning against the far wall. The roped off stanchions guided me along the social distancing stickers plastered to the floor that appears to be everywhere in these times of uncertainty. The room was silence and bare since most don't dare venture into areas proclaimed to be of risk by those that govern us in fear of being exposed to a phantom virus that steals the souls of our loved ones like a thief in the night. A friendly voice breaks the silence, asking if I'd mind providing her with some information regarding my travel, her mask hid her welcoming smile as she typed my name on her electronic pad that replaced the pen and paper that I would of normally left my mark. It would of been so impersonal if it hadn't been for the joy in her eyes that peeped above the cloth that covered her face proving it's impossible to suppress the southern hospitality. Nothing can replace the face to face interactions of friends or strangers even from six feet apart...

Really nice welcome center. Lots of history and in on the TarHeel State…read more Stop and take a look around

This relatively new marker stands in front of a beautiful brick home adjacent to one of the many…read morebuildings of the McLeod Medical Center campus. There is street parking nearby where you can stop to read the marker. On the front, it reads, "The brick house at the corner of Palmetto St. and Dargan St. was built c.1919 as the home of Dr. Frank Hilton McLeod (1868-1944). In 1906, McLeod founded the Florence Infirmary on W. Cheves St., adjacent to his personal residence. To allow for the Infirmary's expansion in 1916, McLeod had that wood frame home moved to this site. He and his wife Caroline Nelson McLeod (1878-1952) lived here in the old frame house until the brick house was built next to it." On the back, "The McLeod House is a fine example of a four-square Prairie style home with Neoclassical details. While living here, F.H. McLeod oversaw the Infirmary's growth into one of the largest hospitals in S.C., serving patients from around the Pee Dee. In 1940, the family sold the house to a funeral home. In 1999, it was acquired by McLeod Regional Medical Center, the successor to the Florence Infirmary. The McLeods' wood frame house no longer stands." [Review 19366 overall - 940 in South Carolina - 336 of 2023.]