I wish I would have been there when it was open…read more The grounds are kept up and you can still walk around to see the buildings in the back. We were told they will be doing an event and opening up the house and barn. Very peaceful with the back of the house where the woods are.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a late-night paranormal event at the Holliday House in…read moreMarion, South Carolina, and it was an unforgettable experience filled with history, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the house's presence. Parking was easy, and as I made my way up the grand, curved staircase to the front porch, it felt like stepping into another era. Inside, the early 1900s charm is undeniable--from the intricate woodwork to the elegant staircase in the main hall, the house radiates a sense of timeless beauty. The current owners have clearly put a lot of heart into restoring the home's hidden details. They pointed out the original recessed pocket doors, which had been concealed for years, now uncovered and brought back to their former glory. It's clear they have a deep appreciation for the house's history and are dedicated to preserving it. The hosts were incredibly welcoming, eager to share stories about the home's past and its more mysterious side. After a fascinating tour, we were free to explore on our own, soaking in the atmosphere and, for the more adventurous, keeping an eye out for any ghostly activity. As night settled in, the energy in the house shifted. The event was well-organized, with paranormal investigation equipment available for those who needed it, though many attendees brought their own. The intimate setting allowed for great conversations--not just with other guests but also with the guest speakers, some of whom you might recognize from TV. The small-group format made the experience feel personal and immersive, turning casual acquaintances into fast friends by the end of the night. The hosts had arranged for some pizza from a local spot, along with coffee and other refreshments, which was a nice touch. While this was one of their earlier events, the Holliday House seems destined to become a sought-after venue for both paranormal enthusiasts and history lovers alike. Beyond ghost hunts, the house is available for private rentals--whether for a few hours or a multi-day gathering. There's even the possibility of overnight stays, though full B&B accommodations aren't quite in place yet. If you're interested in booking, it's best to chat with the owners directly, as they seem willing to accommodate special requests when possible. Whether you're drawn by the paranormal, the charm of Victorian architecture, or simply the chance to experience a piece of history, the Holliday House offers something truly unique. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for this incredible place.

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.

Located just a quarter mile south of I-95 on South Carolina Highway 38, this marker has a small…read morespace for parking and a view. There is a "historical marker ahead" sign and you shouldn't miss the hulking shape of the machinery it points out. The marker reads, "This cotton press, built in 1798 according to tradition, is thought by many to be the oldest in existence. It was first owned and used by John Bethea, III, and later by Henry Berry. Powered by oxen or mules rotating the beam to tighten the press, it was rendered obsolete by modern machinery. A Berry descendant moved it to this site about 1948 to preserve it." The marker was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It had been built in 1798 for bailing ginned cotton and is made of pegged and doweled oak. Turning the screw (powered by mules) compressed the cotton into a wooden frame to form a bale. A very clever piece of machinery, all built by hand well prior to modern power tools. Except for minor repairs of the base and roof, it is still the original materials and is the only press of this era in South Carolina. [Review 14328 overall, 1652 of 2020, number 706 in South Carolina.]

This cotton press, built in 1798 according to tradition, is thought by many to be the oldest in…read moreexistence. It was first owned and used by John Bethea, III, and later by Henry Berry. Powered by oxen or mules rotating the beam to tighten the press, it was rendered obsolete by modem machinery. A Berry descendant moved it to this site about 1948 to preserve it. Erected by Dillon County Historical Society - 1974

I brought a machine here. I left it in Florence when I left. So they're thinking of renaming the…read moreplace "Florence And The Machine." It's been a very long time since I hung out in Florence South Carolina, but I passed through a few weeks ago, which brought back memories. Oh, Florence, such a cute place, which was a strange and trendy alternative feeling sleepy southern city where I played a couple of interesting concerts a very long time ago, and I'm looking forward to coming back again to check it out someday, and explore the food in depth.

City of Florence is a medium size town similar to Anderson. Many other larger local cities can be…read morereached from here, Myrtle Beach & Columbia 1hr, Charleston, Charlotte, & Raleigh 2hr. There are a ton of hotels here one stretch of road holds about 20, I guess either for Darlington Raceway or proximity to Myrtle Beach. There is a mall here that is active w people but the store viability is non existent . There are a lot of old restaurants chains that would be closed in any city except here. The business closing times during weekdays is too early, and Sundays it's hard to find open stores at all. Downtown is the heart of the town right, well this one has one block of businesses that is trendy and nice but it doesn't continue. The downtown size doesn't fit the outlying size of town it's just odd. This review can't be complete without mentioning the 5 way intersection. It's funky, confusing, hectic, annoying, stupid; I don't know who the architect of this mess was but they should re-design the flow for commuters. I think Florence is a town for elderly retirees or for younger children to grow up and move away. For young adults to middle age that prefer more to do you'll need move larger city.

Dropped hubby off to head home. Clean, cool station with benches and a clean bathroom. Station is…read morenot manned. You have to buy your tickets on line here. Open hours limited.

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.]

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.]