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.

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.]

This marker is in the vicinity of several buildings of the McLeod campus. It points out the history…read moreof the hospital and how it came to be. On the front, " The McLeod Infirmary was located here in 1906, inspired by the need to provide access to local medical and surgical care for people of the region. Frank Hilton McLeod was born in Richmond Co., N.C. in 1868 and graduated from the Univ. of Tennessee Medical School. In 1891, he moved to Florence and chartered the Florence Infirmary. By the 1920s it was the third largest hospital in the state. On the back, "In 1930, with the assistance of the Duke Endowment, McLeod Infirmary became a non-profit institution. A new building opened in 1935 and expanded capacity to 190 beds. Renamed McLeod Memorial Hospital in 1971, expansion continued when 14 blocks of Urban Renewal land were acquired just east of this location. The new McLeod Regional Medical Center opened in 1979 with over 300." The marker is next to the parking lot of the Florence County Museum so there is plenty of parking to view. [Review 19365 overall - 939 in South Carolina - 335 of 2023.]

This was the BEST ER I've been too in 60 years! They were kind and accommodating. They took care…read moreof my son after his car accident. From the people that checked us in to the nurses in the ER. They were polite, kind and caring! Cannot say enough good things about them! Thank you sooo much! We deeply appreciate you all!

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.]

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.

Well done! A plethora of civic and local knowledge is living here. The displays are really readable…read moreand the flow through is up to your pace. There are some nice change of pace factoids included. The galleries are quaint though. It's best to come during the weekday, very little people viewing. I loved the "seek-n-find" portion of the tour. The inclusion of the local history and influence of Florence is well preserved here. Both floors showcase many different aspects of the industrial might of South Carolina.

Free admission . Closed on Mondays . Large objects are not allowed in the galleries like large…read morebags, parcels, backpacks and umbrellas. Free lockers are available to store large belongings. Mobility accessible with both stairs and an elevator. My DAR chapter took a field trip to Florence County Museum because of their Revolutionary War gallery . The museum seems fairly new and modern . It offers two floors of galleries , exhibits and displays . The museum also offers interactive activities for both kids and adults like a museum scavenger hunt and activities in the museum courtyard. On the day we visited I was able to use indigo to dye a small planter and then plant a tomato seed in the planter . Nice , clean bathrooms and free parking . Plan to spend at least an hour or so here depending on how much you read and any activities you do .

Smelled like poop ever where we went my friend couldn't go to the bath room bc the nasty dookie…read moreconditions and the sinks were broken and the employees wouldn't pick the coke that feel on the floor , 1 out of ten NEVER AGAIN

Games are over priced and the variety of games are slim. Mostly scammy claw machines or coin…read moredozers. $50 well wasted. Do not come here and expect to have a good time.

The Regal Swamp Fox Cinema opened when I was a kid, and it was a big deal. Even back then (20+…read moreyears ago), it was a pricey movie theatre, but today, I feel like Florence locals are priced out. Movie and concession prices here are more expensive than HCOL areas in SC and other states. My husband and I went on a double date with another couple to the movies on a Sunday morning to see the new Star Wars, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Four tickets for an 11 AM Sunday morning showing, plus popcorn (we shared two) and sodas, was well over $100. The movie was fine, but the theatre is nothing special and needs some upgrades and TLC. The seats did not recline, and the floors were the typical sticky movie theatre floors. Swamp Fox Cinema has arcade games for kids and offers birthday parties, which is a nice touch. It is close to I-95, so it's one way to escape a boring hotel room if you're traveling through for a night. The movie theatre is one of the few date options in town that doesn't center around eating/drinking, and I wish they had more deals or specials so folks could afford to bring their loved ones and families here.

We went to see the new movie End of Oak street. When you come in the front door there's no one to…read moregreet you like in the old days. They have a kiosk in the front lobby to check in or go to the snack desk. I chose to buy my tickets on the regal app and I was surprised at the prices. I bought two senior tickets and still paid almost thirty dollars for two. The theater is a nice large area not very many people were there. They have an old time picture booth where you can sit in and the pictures come out automatically after payment of course. They are equipped with plenty of snacks and drinks a little pricey. If I didn't want to get out the house for a while I might have waited for the movie to come available on tv to stream. The lady at the desk was helpful she scanned my phone and pointed in the direction we needed to go. In the theater the seats were comfortable but the floor was a little sticky like someone had wasted something on the floor. The movie was great despite all the previews. I won't be returning anytime soon because the prices are too much. Only if there is a movie I want to watch early and can't wait for streaming. More than likely I will have to go the less expensive route another theater or streaming.