Northeastern South Carolina VISITORS GUIDE A sparkling gem of nature’s best with an intriguing past, exciting present and promising future! Darlington | Dillon | Florence | Lee Marion | Marlboro | Williamsburg WELCOME TO THE PEE DEE! Welcome to Pee Dee Country... the place to stay and play in northeast South Carolina! his seven-county region, named for the original Native American Pee Dee Indians who inhabited it long ago and subsequently the TPee Dee Rivers, still offers the natural wonders that attracted the Native Americans and early settlers. A sparkling gem of nature’s best, Pee Dee Country has a unique combination of scenic parks and natural areas as well as a history spanning both Revolutionary and Civil War times, reflected in its wonderfully preserved historic homes, plantations and buildings. Here’s the ideal place to experience the heritage of the agrarian lifestyle of the old South and its relaxed way of life. Both cotton and tobacco played an important role in the early growth of the region, and the South Carolina Cotton Trail™ was developed to showcase the era. The Cotton Trail takes visitors on a revealing tour through three Pee Dee counties, and you’ll find Visitor Information Centers for the trail in Bennettsville, Hartsville and Bishopville. The South Carolina Cotton Museum is located in Bishopville and has preserved the legacy of the cotton culture in South Carolina and a way of life long gone but still reflected in the present. The South Carolina Tobacco Museum is located in the historic train depot in Mullins and depicts farm life and the growing of the “golden leaf” prior to 1950. Many other Pee Dee towns boast fascinating museums displaying local artifacts. Pee Dee Country offers three beautiful state parks and natural areas and many local parks as well as four scenic rivers. The area also has more than 30 exciting and affordable golf courses! It’s no wonder that outdoor activities are popular here! Come chip, putt, paddle, cycle, race, raft, kayak, hike, fish and just have fun! And while you’re here, enjoy the entertainment of one of our many local festivals. Good food, good times and a glimpse of our history is found in the Cotton Festival, the Tobacco Festival, the Sweet Potato Festival, the Quilt Festival, the Barbeque Shag Festival, the Greek Festival, the Catfish Festival, the Sankofa Festival and the International Festival, to name just a few! Race car fans will want to catch a race at the famous Darlington Raceway! Take in the history of the world’s greatest spectator sport at the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum. Learn about the racing pioneers and the historic cars that carried them to greatness. Pee Dee Country is truly a land of the past, present and future with something for everyone. Come stay and play with us...discover a place like no other! ©2014 Pee Dee Tourism Commission. All rights reserved. (Selected photography provided by SC Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism) 2 Let Us Help WELCOME TO THE PEE DEE! Plan Your Visit! For assistance, please call the Pee Dee Tourism Commission toll free 844.669.0950 or visit us online at www.peedeetourism.com or check with other local information bureaus. All telephone numbers in the seven-county Pee Dee Region are within the 843 area code unless otherwise noted. This guide may not include all the attractions, events, restaurants or accommodations in the area. All activities, dates, locations, programs and times are correct as of January 1, 2014, but are subject to change without notice. Pee Dee Tourism Commission 195 MM I-95 Hamer, SC 29547 Bennettsville Chamber of Commerce 714 N. Marlboro St. Bennettsville, SC 29512 843.479.3941 www.bennettsvillesc.com/chamber Darlington County Tourism 214 N. Fifth St., Hartsville, SC 29550 888.427.8720/ 843.339.9511 www.darlingtoncounty.org Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce 38 Public Square Darlington, SC 29532 843.393.2641 www.darlingtonchamber.com Dillon County Chamber of Commerce 126 N. MacArthur Ave., Dillon, SC 29536 843.774.8551/www.dilloncountychamber.com Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau 3290 W. Radio Dr., Florence, SC 29501 800.325.9005/ 843.664.0330/www.florencesccvb.com Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce 238 S. Coit St., Florence, SC 29503 843.665.0515/www.flochamber.com continued on page 6 3 WELCOME TO THE PEE DEE! 1 17 Wal 4 Soci Hi 401 15 Hartsville 52 151 Darlin 341 15 52 Bishopville Lee State Natural Area 20 20 Lamar Manville Wisacky Woodrow 15 Timmonsville 341 76 95 527 Lynchburg 301 Lync Rive Coun Par Olanta Woods Bay State Park PEE DEE COUNTRY 52 Q Darlington County 527 Q Dillon County K Q Florence County Q Lee County Greeleyville Q Marion County Q Marlboro County Q Williamsburg County 4 WELCOME TO THE PEE DEE! 77 llace 38 North Carolina 9 McColl 15 Bennettsville 15 9 Clio 01 57 Blenheim 9 iety ll 38 Little Rock Dillon Little 301 Pee Dee Latta State Lake 95 38 Park ngton View 9 57 95 501 41 Mullins 301 76 Marion 76 Florence 576 e 41 51 41 Pamplico ches er nty rk 52 41 378 Lake City Johnsonville 2 Hemingway 41 261 Kingstree 521 41 5 WELCOME TO THE PEE DEE! continued from page 3... Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce 214 N. Fifth St., Hartsville, SC 29550 843.332.6401/www.hartsvillechamber.org Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce 144 S. Acline St., Lake City, SC 29560 843.374.8611/www.lakecitysc.org Lee County Chamber of Commerce Contact through Cotton Museum 803.484.4497/www.sccotton.org Marion County Chamber of Commerce 100 W. Court St., Marion, SC 29571 843.423.3561/www.marionscchamber.com Mullins Chamber of Commerce 1 N. Main St., Mullins, SC 29574 843.464.6651/www.mullinssc.com Williamsburg Home Town Chamber 130 E. Main St., Kingstree, SC 29556 843.355.6431/www.williamsburgsc.org 6 DARLINGTON COUNTY Sights To See DARLINGTON COUNTY o doubt Darlington County is best known as the home of the Darlington Raceway, for years a major stop on the NNASCAR circuit and its oldest speedway. Now racing spills over into related attractions such as the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA (National Motorsports Press Association) Hall of Fame, both located on site. But Darlington County is also a showcase for historical attractions related to the Old South and its agrarian lifestyle. See restored historic sites, the South Carolina Cotton Trail,™ Coker College and it’s famous Kalmia Gardens and delight in the fun of a wonderful variety of festivals held here throughout the year. Darlington County Tourism 214 N. Fifth St., Hartsville, SC 29550 888.427.8720 / 843.339.9511/www.darlingtoncounty.org Black Creek Arts Center 116 W. College Ave., Hartsville 843.332.6234 / www.blackcreekarts.org Housed in the restored 1930s Community Market Building, the Black Creek Arts Council preserves and cultivates the arts. The center features changing visual arts exhibits in the Gallery. Open Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri., 10 am–12 noon and 1 pm–5 pm Coker College 300 E. College Ave., Hartsville 843.383.8018 www.coker.edu Coker College was founded in 1908 as a liberal arts college for women, and today is a co-ed institution. The campus is home to several historic buildings, the Ceceliali CokerC k BBellll AArtt GGalleryll (383.8156 www.coker.edu/art/gallery.html) and the exciting new $6 million Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center which includes two theaters,instructional facilities and the Stein Gallery of pre-Columbian and Oriental artifacts.(www.coker.edu/campus/ EBCPAC.htm) Coker Farms National Historical Landmark 1257 S. Fourth St. (SC 151 Bus.), Hartsville 888.427.8720/ 843.383.3005 www.hartsvillemuseum.org Housed in a replica of the original dairy barn, this center depicts Coker PdiPedigreed dS Seed dC Company’s ’ impact on southern agriculture. The company was an experimental farm founded by David R. Coker in 1914 and had the first cotton breeding program in the US-Open 7 days, 10 am–6 pm. Admission: Free 7 DARLINGTON COUNTY Darlington Raceway 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy. (US 52), Darlington Tickets: 843.395.8499/www.darlingtonraceway.com The “Track too Tough to Tame,” NASCAR’s oldest super speedway has been the site of many legendary races. Hourly tours of the track will show you history, tradition and family fun! Open 7 days, 9 am–5 pm. Tours: Adults $5; Children 6–12, $3; 5 & under Free. Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA (National Motorsports Press Assoc.) Hall of Fame 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy. (US 52), Darlington 843.395.8862/ 843.395.8821 Take a trip back in time to relive thehe mamagicalgical moments that have made NASCAR racing the world’s greatest spectator sport. See and learn about the pioneers of the sport and the historic cars that carried them to greatness. NASCAR souvenirs in the gift shop. Open 7 days, 9 am–5 pm. Admission: Adults $5; Children 12 & under, Free Hartsville Museum 222 N. Fifth St., Hartsville 843.383.3005/www.hartsvillemuseum.org This museum is housed in a restored post office built in 1930 and provides a glimpse of the area’s past. It features the Lawhon History Gallery, a unique silver collection and other interesting displays of local history, including the first car in the state. The Sculpture Courtyard, completed in 2001, is adjacent. Open Mon.–Fri., 10 am–5 pm; Sat. 10 am–2 pm. Admission: Free Jacob Kelley House Museum 2585 Kelleytown Rd., Hartsville 888.427.8720/ 843.339.9511 This c. 1820 house, now restored, served briefly as a headquarters for General Sherman’s army during the War Between the States and is furnished with period pieces.