South Carolina Revolutionary Struggle Highway Journey: Half 9 – Pee Dee Nation

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Kingstree, SC

Forty years after Charleston’s founding in 1670, practically 90% of the colony’s residents lived inside 5 miles of the capital. In 1731, Governor Robert Johnson devised a plan to construct new townships sixty miles from Charleston on key South Carolina waterways.

In 1732, Scotch-Irish immigrant Roger Gordon led 40 others to determine the Williamsburg Township on the Black River. Every household was given 50 acres and a city lot. Further tons have been put aside for a commons floor, church buildings, and faculties. In 1738, the Williamsburg Presbyterian Assembly Home was accomplished.

Williamsburg was later renamed King’s Tree due to an fascinating legislation – one among many who led to the Revolutionary Struggle. The Japanese White Pine was plentiful when the colonies developed within the late 1600s. The towering, thick bushes have been good for naval ships. However when provides started to skinny, King George III handed a legislation completely reserving any Japanese White Pine with a 24-inch diameter trunk for England’s use.

After the Fall of Charleston in 1780, Main John James shaped a big militia on the muster floor in Kingstree. He turned command of the unit over to Common Francis Marion. Whereas scouting for Marion on August 27, 1780, James found a British pressure despatched from Georgetown to assault Kingstree.

Earlier than leaving Kingstree, be sure you go to Artsy Desserts. Proprietor Darlene Roman has all the time thought of cooking to be a household affair. She runs the enterprise along with her brother, kids, and grandchildren. Get their home made pancakes for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, or pizza on Fridays.

Williamsburg Historic Museum

The Williamsburg Historic Museum is in a former Carnegie Library in-built 1917. The one-room museum has reveals and artifacts like a large dugout canoe and vintage glassware. Discover the compendium of native historical past relationship from Williamsburg Township’s founding to at the moment.

The Revolutionary Struggle reveals are few as a result of little occurred within the space, however they’ve loads of details about the few occasions. It’s an ideal place to be taught extra about space battles alongside the Black River main into Georgetown and Francis Marion’s exploits within the area.

Thorntree

In 1748, James Witherspoon constructed a big household residence referred to as Thorntree after immigrating to Williamsburg Township. The Plantation Type home, later referred to as an I-house due to its recognition in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, is a two-story home with a coated entrance porch and a central passageway separating rooms with chimneys on both finish.

His son, Gavin, inherited the house after his loss of life. After the Fall of Charleston in 1780, a big pressure of British dragoons below the commander of Colonel Banastre Tarleton camped on the Witherspoon property.

Within the Nineteen Seventies, the Williamsburg Historic Society bought the house and transported it from the unique website six miles exterior of city to a small lot on the town. The house was restored and opened as a home museum. Guided excursions are supplied often, and the grounds are open throughout daylight.

Williamsburg Cemetery

In 1738, the Williamsburg Presbyterian Assembly Home was accomplished. Though the unique constructing not exists, you possibly can stroll by means of the graveyard – now referred to as the Williamsburg Cemetery.

One of many notable gravesites is Roger Gordon’s, the city’s founder.

However essentially the most notable is the gravesite of Reverend John Witherspoon. In 1695, he fled to Eire due to spiritual persecution in England. In 1734, he immigrated to South Carolina, arriving in Charleston, and touring to Williamsburg Township. He helped construct the Presbyterian church for the city and died a yr later. He was the primary individual buried on this cemetery.

Indiantown Presbyterian Church

In 1757, Irish immigrants John James and Robert Wilson organized the Indiantown Presbyterian Church and constructed the primary church on this website. James was a militia captain below King George III till the beginning of the Revolutionary Struggle. He resigned his fee and used his place as an elder of the church to recruit Patriots for a militia. James spent the remainder of the warfare serving below Common Francis Marion.

In July 1780, the British captured Georgetown shortly after the Fall of Charleston. When Main James Wemyss, the city’s commander, realized of Patriot militias forming as Presbyterian church buildings, he labeled them as “sedition retailers” and ordered them burned whenever.

A month later, a British unit burned Indiantown Presbyterian Church. The present church, the third constructing on the location, was accomplished in 1830.

Main John James is buried within the graveyard beside the church he helped set up. His son, Captain John James, fought with him throughout the Revolutionary Struggle and is buried within the graveyard.

Kenny’s BBQ

You may comply with your nostril to Kenny’s BBQ whereas driving by means of Hemingway. Opened in 1990, the native restaurant is understood all through the area for its savory barbecue. Meats are smoked each day, and all the things is home made, together with their vinegar-based sauces and banana pudding.

Cease for lunch on the native restaurant. Order one among their platters with two sides to style their incredible residence cooking. Get the banana pudding to go.

Statue of Common Francis Marion

After the disastrous Battle of Camden, when British Common Lord Cornwallis crushed Common Horatio Gates, no Continental troopers remained within the South. The duty of preventing for independence fell to a rag-tag band of militiamen commanded by Common Francis Marion.

On August 17, 1780, Marion took command of the Williamsburg Militia from Main John James at Witherspoon’s Ferry, a crossing over the Lynches River.

In 2013, Johnsonville devoted a 20-foot-tall monument to Francis Marion at a small public park on the historic website of Witherspoon’s Ferry. Designed by Alex Palkovich, the monument contains a bronze statue of Marion on horseback, 3 times bigger than life, melded on the waist right into a concrete base.

Marion, SC

Gilesboro was based shortly after the Revolutionary Struggle, and it was named after Colonel Hugh Giles, a neighborhood Patriot who fought below Common Francis Marion. In 1847, the South Carolina legislature formally chartered the city, altering the title to Marion in honor of the militia chief.

Go looking for antiques and collectibles on the Marion Emporium. The clear and arranged retailer has a second-story gallery overlooking the primary flooring. It takes about an hour to browse the spectacular assortment correctly.

The Fudge Shoppe of Marion opened in 2020. Wayne and Barbara Mathews make small batches of recent fudge, good for a highway journey. You must also strive their hand-dipped ice cream, root beer floats, or old style milkshakes within the small dessert café.

Brittany Taylor took a lifelong love of candle making and opened Woodhaven Candle Co. in 2021. All of the candles are handcrafted and have distinctive scents lasting for hours.

Marion County Museum

Do you know that Francis Marion was a commissioned British soldier lengthy earlier than the Revolutionary Struggle? Or that at the start of the American Revolution, he was a captain answerable for the 2nd South Carolina Regiment on the Battle of Sullivan’s Island? You’ll be taught some fascinating issues in regards to the native Revolutionary Struggle hero on the Marion County Museum.

The beautiful constructing was accomplished in 1886 for the Marion Academy Society. The constructing itself is an exhibit with beautiful structure inside and outside.

A room on the primary flooring is devoted to Marion’s life. You’ll discover a full historical past of his Revolutionary Struggle exploits and dozens of fascinating trivia about him, together with the story behind his nickname “The Swamp Fox.”

Francis Marion Statue

In April 1976, the city devoted the Francis Marion Statue on the two hundredth anniversary of the Revolutionary Struggle. The statue was designed and constructed by Ramojus Mozoliauskas, a sculptor who immigrated from Lithuania in 1950.

You possibly can go to the marginally larger-than-life statue within the inexperienced throughout from the Marion County courthouse. Pay specific consideration to the bottom, the place you’ll discover a recreation of Marion’s signature etched into the concrete.

Francis Marion College

In 1970, a decade of lobbying resulted within the creation of Francis Marion Faculty, one among South Carolina’s 13 public universities. The school – college after 1992 – was named after Francis Marion, the Revolutionary Struggle hero who gained fame over the last half of 1780 for his guerrilla warfare towards the British.

Whereas nonetheless celebrating the college’s fortieth anniversary, a life-size bronze statue of Francis Marion was erected in a site visitors circle alongside Heyward Drive. The statue stands simply 5 toes, 3 inches tall – the precise peak of the Revolutionary Struggle basic. The statue was sculpted by nationally acclaimed sculptor Garland Weeks and forged by Home Bronze Inc. in Lubbock, Texas.

Florence, SC

A city started on this space when a courthouse was constructed at Lengthy Bluff in 1770. In 1774, the townspeople made a presentation on the courthouse stating they might by no means help the burdensome taxes imposed by the British Parliament. It was one of many earliest examples of public riot towards the king’s rule.

In 1775, Colonel John Baxter shaped the Pee Dee Regiment. They marched to Charleston to affix different Continental Military models and served in lots of battles early within the Revolutionary Struggle.

However after the Fall of Charleston in 1780, the Loyalists dominated the Pee Dee area. After months of harassment from Common Francis Marion, they finally fell out of favor with the native settlers.

Regardless of the early settlement, Florence was not formally chartered till 1871 as a Reconstruction Metropolis after the Civil Struggle. Since then, the town has developed as a hub for commerce and schooling all through the area.

City Corridor opened in 2016 as a part of the downtown revitalization. Co-owned by Florence native Dale Barth, the informal upscale restaurant contains a seasonal farm-to-table menu. Parts are giant on the southern-style restaurant, with meals cooked in an open kitchen close to the eating space. Placemats, fabric napkins, and Edison bulbs add a contact of magnificence to the restaurant, however be happy to put on cozy garments for dinner – and possibly a stretchy belt.

The Dispensary is Florence’s solely rooftop bar. The three,500-square-foot deck is roofed with giant out of doors furnishings, offering loads of comfy seating. The out of doors bar is a part of City Corridor, so when dinner is made, you simply have to stroll a flight of stairs to benefit from the night outdoor with a drink.

In 2014, Kyle Hardee adopted in his grandfather’s footsteps and opened a seafood restaurant. However as an alternative of an oceanside location like Sundown Seaside, Hardee opened Tubb’s Shrimp and Fish Co. in a renovated gasoline station in Florence. “I get all of the seafood from the very best supply doable, recent and by no means frozen,” Hardee explains. Order the seafood platter to pattern the very best from the Japanese United States, however begin your dinner with a bowl of the very best she-crab soup exterior of Charleston.

King Jefe options Hardee’s distinctive twist on conventional Mexican dishes. And the downtown location is extra handy for these staying at one of many beneficial motels. The menu options fascinating taco combos. However the successful menu merchandise is the Breafkast Jefe de Jefes – a burrito crammed with tater tots, fried eggs, chorizo, bacon, Monterrey jack cheese, and siracha maple syrup.

Barbecue began as a pastime for the late Invoice Travis. After impressing his associates with yard cookouts, he opened Wholly Smokin’ BBQ in 2012. Two years later, he moved the restaurant to its present downtown location and have become a staple for the locals. After his passing in 2017, the household carried on the enterprise. The savory menu objects embody sandwiches, platters, and home made sides.

The place to Keep

Hyatt Place is a handy downtown lodge inside strolling distance of dinner and drinks. The comfy lodge options an out of doors swimming pool and spacious visitor rooms. Parking is inconveniently positioned throughout the road, and takes 5-10 minutes to stroll again. Ebook with Reserving.com or Expedia.com

Resort Florence is one other downtown lodge inside strolling distance of eating places. The historic constructing options beautiful hardwood flooring, spacious rooms with 12-foot ceilings, and fascinating structure. Ebook with Reserving.com or Expedia.com

Florence County Museum

The Florence County Museum is a superb place to find out about native historical past – and there’s a lot to be taught. The museum options a formidable assortment of interpretive shows and artifacts. Historical past is split into intervals and is simple to browse whereas casually exploring the rooms.

Study in regards to the historical past of Francis Marion and see maps of his exploits throughout the Revolutionary Struggle. Learn the fascinating story of when a nuclear bomb was unintentionally dropped on a close-by home. And discover the native paintings spanning the generations.

Buc-ee’s

Should you’ve by no means been to a Buc-ee’s, be ready in your jaw to drop. what I imply when you’ve been to a Buc-ee’s. It’s a must-see attraction, reward store, and gasoline station virtually required for any highway journey.

Buc-ee’s was based by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III in 1982 in Texas. In 2003, the beloved chain opened its first journey middle in Luling, Texas, starting a brand new period for the corporate. In 2018, they expanded exterior Texas for the primary time with a location in Robertsdale, Alabama. And in 2022, they opened a location in Florence, South Carolina.

The corporate is understood for its record-breaking gasoline stations with over 100 pumps – and 18-wheelers are prohibited from coming into. The 24/7 comfort facilities are so giant they provide procuring carts for all the things you’ll wish to purchase. Browse their monumental reward store for clothes, residence décor, cookware, and collectibles.

Contemporary fudge and barbecue are made in-house each day. The deli counter is staffed 24/7, so that you’ll all the time have recent meals. And simply in case you desire a pack of crackers and a soda, you possibly can store the standard comfort retailer aisles within the nook of the shop.

Bennettsville, SC

Bennettsville is a twenty-minute drive from Florence alongside a scenic freeway by means of the countryside. Based in 1819, the city was a middle of commerce for cotton plantations and tobacco farms. Broad Avenue ends at Principal Avenue in entrance of the 1884 courthouse, essentially the most spectacular construction on the town.

Step inside Breeden’s High quality Meats for a spectacular expertise. Opened in 1926, Cam and Cindy Stone now personal the native butcher store. Cam started working on the store throughout highschool and acquired it in 1988. Since then, they’ve constructed a repute for handcrafted sausage hyperlinks from licensed South Carolina pork.

Dairy Dream Drive-In has served generations of locals and vacationers with their well-known foot-long hotdogs, fried hen, and thick milkshakes. Step contained in the red-shingled, beige-stuccoed construct, and also you’ll discover the menu hanging on the wall above the counter. It’s a kind of locations the place sandwiches, seafood, and barbecue fortunately coexist – and all the things is satisfactorily savory.

Marlboro County Historic Museum

Bennettsville didn’t exist throughout the Revolutionary Struggle – the city was based in 1819. However that doesn’t imply nothing occurred within the space. Skirmishes between native Patriot and Loyalist militias have been widespread.

Study in regards to the historical past of the area on the Marlboro Nation Historic Museum. Whereas visiting, take a guided tour of the Jennings-Brown Home and the fascinating Medical Museum.

Cheraw, SC

European settlers started arriving within the South Carolina backcountry within the 1730s. By the 1750s, a city developed round commerce on the Nice Pee Dee River. Joseph and Eli Kershaw got a land grant to create a city and started laying out tons in 1768. Colonial life was quiet on the frontier – after which the British arrived.

After capturing Charleston in Might 1780, Common Lord Cornwallis ordered two battalions of the 71st Fraser Highlands to Cheraw. They have been to create a strategic backcountry outpost for supplying Cornwallis when he moved into North Carolina.

Main Archibald MacArthur marched into the small frontier city in July 1780. However shortly after arriving, his unit was suffering from sickness. He used St. David’s Parish Church as a subject hospital for his ailing males.

River’s Edge was opened in 2010 by Stan and Cindy Koehn. In 2022, Chris Rodgers purchased the native favourite restaurant identified for southern cooking and pleasant service. Everybody must strive their home made pimento cheese.

The Caffeinated Cow is an oddity for a small city – a espresso store that’s open late! Cease inside for a espresso to gasoline the remainder of the highway journey.

The place to Keep in Cheraw

SpringHill Suites by Marriott is the one lodge in Cheraw, but it surely’s additionally an ideal lodge. Benefit from the out of doors swimming pool, kitchenette in all visitor rooms, and comfy furnishings. Ebook with Reserving.com or Expedia.com

Previous Saint David’s Church

Inbuilt 1770, Previous Saint David’s Church was the final Anglican church in-built South Carolina below King George III. Through the Revolutionary Struggle, Main Archibald MacArthur used the church as a subject hospital when the British occupied Cheraw. One of many gravesites is marked with a gravestone that reads, “Right here on this hallowed floor relaxation officers and males of the 71st Fraser Highlanders.”

The church was renovated in 1826 with a brand new steeple and vestibule. Companies continued till 1916, when a more moderen church was constructed close by. When the Chesterfield County Historic Preservation Fee, the present homeowners of the church, renovated it, they restored it to its 1827 look.

The church’s inside is a rental facility. Public occasions are held sporadically, however seeing inside on a weekend may be doable. The graveyard is open throughout daylight.

Cheraw State Park

Cheraw State Park is one among solely two South Carolina state parks with a golf course. The Par 72 course was designed by Tom Jackson. The park clubhouse contains a small store, altering rooms, and golf cart leases.

READ MORE: How you can Have an Thrilling Weekend at Cheraw State Park in Cheraw, SC

However the central characteristic of the secluded park is the 300-acre synthetic Lake Juniper. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps within the Thirties, the lake is a superb place for fishing and kayaking. The 1-mile Lake Juniper Boardwalk (bookmark on AllTrails) is a spectacular place for a stroll between the seaside and the dam.

The park’s cabins are the very best place to remain within the space. The country cabins characteristic a screened porch, one or two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a big front room. It’s good for a soothing weekend on the finish of this highway journey.