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.]

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

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!

Darlington's Veterans Memorial is tribute to the local Darlington men and women who have served and…read moresacrificed for our country. Located on the corner of Hwy 52 & Orange Street in Darlington. It's a place to remember, and honor them with their names engraved on the memorials. It also includes the stories of 2 local men for you to know their fine deeds. If traveling thru Darlington, be sure to stop and learn more about these US patriots.

A well thought out memorial. It is maintained and visible to those passing; therefore serving as a…read moredaily reminder.

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 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.