History and Heritage
Florence is rich in history, dating back to colonial times. Our access to the rivers, and later to three railroads, proved important in the Revolutionary War and the War Between the States (aka Civil War).
During the prohibition era, Florence’s own Melvin Purvis became the G-Man that caught John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson.
During the Cold War in the 1950s, Mars Bluff just east of Florence was hit by the only accidental dropping of an atomic bomb in the US.
Florence County (Lake City) born astronaut and physicist Dr. Ronald E. McNair was on the space shuttle Challenger on that fateful day in 1986.
You’ll find these stories and more at the Florence County Museum.
African-American Sites at Mars Bluff
Just east of Florence, in the area surrounding Francis Marion University, is Mars Bluff, which provides an unique perspective of African-American ...
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Ag + Art Tour
The 2018 South Carolina Ag + Art Tour canvasses a large swath of the state in June, with the Pee Dee ...
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Blenheim Ginger Ale
Blenheim Ginger Ale Company has been bottling Blenheim Ginger Ale since 1903. It's the earliest, smallest and many say finest, independent soda ...
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Carolina Plantation Rice
Carolina Plantation Rice comes to you from the only colonial plantation in the Carolinas to grow rice for commercial sale. Carolina ...
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Clemson Outdoor Educational Trail
At the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center, you can explore the 1.5 mile Outdoor Education Trail while learning about ...
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Columns Plantation
The 1857 Columns Plantation is an outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic ...
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Darlington Raceway
Florence is the place to be during race week for the Bojangles’ Southern 500! The Xfinitiy Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup ...
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Dr. Ronald E. McNair Life History Center
Opened in 2011, the Ronald E. McNair Life History Center is a museum that pays tribute to the life of Dr. McNair, ...
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Eastern SC Heritage Region
The Eastern South Carolina Heritage Region highlights the Pee Dee region and coastal areas of the state, and features lots of stops ...
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FIREBALL RUN
Around here, we live for the roar of race car engines, squealing tires, and drivers. Darlington Raceway is just down ...
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Florence County Museum
The Florence County Museum holds a collection of artifacts from the American Civil War through World War I, as well as original ...
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Florence National Cemetery and Florence Stockade
The Florence National Cemetery is located at 803 East National Cemetery Road, a quarter of a mile from the site of the ...
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Florence Veterans Park
The Florence Veterans Park pays homage to those who are serving or have served in our armed forces with a 'Wall of ...
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Francis Marion Trail
Imagine Gen. Francis Marion and his men hiding out in the dense forests and swamps in the Pee Dee during ...
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Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center
Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center's schedule is filled with top-level entertainment ranging from Broadway musicals to Florence Symphony Orchestra. The exterior ...
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Free in Downtown Florence
The day before your next paycheck? We've still got a lot for you to do in downtown Florence! Check out ...
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Green Acres Country Market – SC Pecan Trail
Snatch up freshly picked local produce in season at Green Acres Country Market. While there, shop delicious local jams, specialty ...
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Historic Sites
Florence County is packed with history. In Revolutionary War times, General Francis Marion hid in the swampy areas in the ...
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Johnsonville
If you’re a Revolutionary War buff and/or nature enthusiast, you’ll feel right at home in Johnsonville! On the first Saturday of ...
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Johnsonville Public Library
The Johnsonville Library houses the SC History Room containing a unique collection of rare Americana and original maps. Johnsonville Public ...
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Lake City Public Library
The Lake City Library complex features an SC History Room containing a unique collection of rare American and original maps ...
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Lynches River County Park
Located on Lynches River, the 676-acre Lynches River County Park features a river swamp with towering cypress trees as well as sand ...
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McCall Farms
McCall Farms is a 175-year-old family-owned and operated farming and canning company based in Effingham. McCall Farms produces many Southern-style foods ...
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Moonlit Paddles
When the moon is full, we join the owls out on Lynches River for guided 2-3 hour paddles. Check out ...
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National Bean Market
The National Bean Market was the world's largest truck auction during Lake City's agricultural prime. Built in 1936 by the Public Works ...
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Nico World Botanica
Nico World Botanica 202 Third Loop Rd Florence, SC 29505 (843) 662-6426 website ...
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Our Heritage
Florence is rich in cultural heritage - whether you're looking for agricultural experiences, arts in action, culinary delights, or African-American ...
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Paddling Excursion – 2hr Indigo Landing Gathering
Description: The group gathers on Saturdays at Indigo Landing and transportation is provided to the departure point. This excursion leaves from “The ...
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Paddling Excursion – 4hr Indigo Landing Gathering
The group gathers on Saturdays at Indigo Landing and transportation is provided to the departure point. This excursion leaves from Highway 52 ...
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Paddling Excursion – Overnight near Johnsonville
This excursion departs from Glenn’s Bluff with a stop at Venter’s Landing for lunch. The group will make their way to an ...
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Paddling Excursion – Overnight near Pamplico
River Rats Canoe and Kayak Rental provides overnight guided tours on weekends - one morning (or afternoon) to the next - which include ...
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Paddling Excursion – Persimmon’s Bluff to Snow’s Lake
This excursion leaves from Persimmon’s Bluff and takes out at Snow’s Lake. The group may stop for a snack and ...
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Paddling Excursion – Venters Landing to Snow’s Lake
This excursion leaves from Venters Landing and takes out at Snow’s Lake. The group may stop for a snack and break halfway ...
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Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden
Since the early 1980s, Pearl Fryar has created fantastic topiary at his garden in Bishopville, South Carolina. Living sculptures, Pearl’s ...
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Pee Dee State Farmers Market
Pee Dee State Farmers Market in Florence offers delicious produce all year round in its 45,000 sq. ft. farmers market, just ...
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Revolutionary Rivers
The SC Revolutionary Rivers Trail is a National Recreation Trail following the scenic Lynches River from Lynches River County Park to the ...
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River Rats Canoe and Kayak Rental
River Rats Canoe and Kayak Rental is ready to take you on a paddle down Lynches River! With more than 100 ...
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SC Button Museum
The Button Museum stands in honor of Dalton Stevens, who played songs on a button-covered guitar while wearing a button-covered suit ...
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Self- Guided Tours
If you're up for a Sunday Drive, we have a few self-guided tours for you. It's Tuesday? That works, too! The Rotary ...
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Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel
From our local historian Thom Anderson: One of the most repeated stories from Florence history is about the 1865 Skirmish ...
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Swamp Fox Adventures
Based out of Naturally Outdoors outfitters, Paul Shaw with Swamp Fox Adventures takes paddlers on various excursions. In addition to trips out on ...
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Swamp Fox Kayak and Rental
Located in Johnsonville, Swamp Fox Kayak and Rentals specializes in taking paddlers into the cypress and tupelo-laden swamps when General Francis Marion ...
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Timrod Park
Timrod Park is an 18 acre park located on Timrod Park Drive. The park is named for Henry Timrod, the poet ...
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War Between the States Museum
The War Between the States Museum was founded in 1988 and displays relics from various battlefields and campsites. You’ll see ...
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William H. Johnson
Florence native William H. Johnson is best known for his powerful folk style that brings to life the African-American community of ...
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Woods Bay State Natural Area
Woods Bay State Natural Area stretches for over 1,500 acres in Olanta. The cypress-tupelo swamp area gives visitors an up-close look at one ...
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Young Plantations – SC Pecan Trail
Step on over to the sample bar at Young Plantations and taste the scrumptious flavored pecans. Our favorite is covered ...
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