Darlington County, South Carolina

Andrew Hunter Attempted Ambush Augustin Wilson Butler School Caleb Coker House Carolina Fiber Co. / Sonoco Products Company Coker's Pedigreed Seed Company /Coker Experimental Farms Damascus Methodist Church Darlington County / Darlington County Courthouse Darlington County Confederate Monument Darlington County Jail Darlington District Agricultural Society / The Mineral Spring Darlington Memorial Cemetery Darlington Memorial Center Darlington Raceway David Robert Coker 1870-1938 David Rogerson Williams Eastern Carolina Silver Company Edmund H. Deas Evan Pugh Execution of Adam Cusack Fair Hope Presbyterian Church First Baptist Church First Baptist Church George W. Dargan Grove Hill Cemetery Hartsville Graded School / Mt. Pisgah Nursery School Hartsville Oil Mill Hartsville Veterans Monument Henry C. Burn House Henry "Dad" Brown Jacob Kelley House James Lide Coker Japonica Hall / Maj. J.J. Lucas John L. Hart / John Hart House John L. Hart House John Wesley Methodist Church John Westfield Lide House Julius A. Dargan House Lamuel Benton Laurie M. Lawson Lawrence Faulkner / Simon Brown Lawrence Reese Long Bluff Lower Fork Of Lynches Creek Baptist Church / Gum Branch Church Lydia Rural Fire Dept. Macedonia Church Mont Clare Community Center Mount Pleasant Baptist Church / Lowther's Hill Cemetery Mt. Zion Baptist Church Oates Samuel Bacot 1745-1795 Site of First Methodist Church Society Hill Depot Society Hill Library Society Society Hill Presbyterian Church St. David's Academy St. James Church Thomas E. Hart House Trinity Church Welsh Neck Church Welsh Neck High School / Coker College Wesley Chapel Wilds-Edwards House / Samuel Hugh Wilds William Andrew Dowling Williamson's Bridge Wilson Crossroads / Dr. Peter A. Wilson Zachariah W. Wines “Yankee Hill”
Darlington County, located in the northeastern part of South Carolina, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Pee Dee and Catawba tribes. European exploration and settlement began in the 1700s, with the establishment of trading posts and small settlements along the Great Pee Dee River.

In the late 18th century, Darlington County was officially formed in 1785, named after Darlington, a town in England, by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly. The county quickly grew in population, largely due to the agricultural potential of the area. Cotton became the primary cash crop, and plantations flourished, utilizing enslaved labor.

During the American Civil War, Darlington County played a significant role. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes as Union troops attempted to disrupt the Confederate supply lines along the railroad. Notable events include the Battle of Hartsville in 1862 and the destruction of the town of Darlington in 1865.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Darlington County experienced economic growth and modernization. The railroad expanded, connecting the county to larger cities like Charleston and Florence, and improving transportation of goods and people. Agriculture remained vital, but industries such as timber, tobacco, and textiles also thrived, drawing immigrants and creating jobs.

Today, Darlington County continues to be a diverse and vibrant community. It is known for its thriving agricultural sector, especially in the production of tobacco, soybeans, and cotton. The county also celebrates its history through various festivals and events, preserving and honoring its heritage. Darlington's rich past, combined with its present-day progress, makes it an exceptional place to live and visit.
Brief timeline of the history of Darlington County, South Carolina:

  • 1730: Land in the area now known as Darlington County was purchased from the Cheraw Indians by a group of settlers.
  • 1785: The town of Darlington was established and named after Darlington in England.
  • 1791: Darlington County was officially formed and named after the town.
  • 1800s: The county saw significant economic growth with the rise of cotton plantations and the construction of the Cheraw and Darlington Railroad.
  • 1865: Darlington County was heavily impacted by the Civil War, experiencing battles and devastation.
  • 1871: The South Carolina General Assembly established Darlington County's current boundaries.
  • Late 19th-early 20th century: The county transitioned from an agricultural economy to a more diversified economy with the growth of industries like tobacco and textiles.
  • 1990: The Darlington Raceway, a famous NASCAR track, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Darlington County, South Carolina.