Florence

Florence is the hub of an eight county region called the “Pee Dee”. It is the center for business, health care, communications, education, retail sales, cultural opportunities, and recreation.

"In 1888, the South Carolina General Assembly created the “County of Florence”, encompassing the towns of Timmonsville, Coward, and Lake City with the Town of Florence as its county seat."

"Florence is the hub of an eight county region called the “Pee Dee”. It is the center for business, health care, communications, education, retail sales, cultural opportunities, and recreation." 

Florence County. Accessed November 13, 2015. View the history. 

Ronald McNair | Carolina Snaps

Video

South Carolina native Ronald McNair was the second African-American to go into space, and was part of the STS-51L crew that died when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after lift-off on...
Blue Sky
Episode 102

Video

Blue Sky’s second work is located just outside of Florence County, S.C. Sky was commissioned to paint a historical piece, and Blue Sky chose to paint a mural of the Great Pee Dee River.
McNair, Ronald Erwin | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

“M” is for McNair, Ronald Erwin [1950-1986]. Astronaut. As a young child in Lake City, McNair had a keen interest in science. After graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and State Technical...
Archie Hunter Photo Gallery | Digital Traditions
Archie Hunter Photo Gallery | Digital Traditions

Photo

Archie Hunter of Florence belonged to the third generation of a family of traditional chairmakers. His grandfather began selling his handmade chairs to supplement the meager income from his Kershaw...
The Jamestown Foundation | Making It Grow

Video

Clemson Extension Agent and Host of "Making It Grow Amanda McNulty travels to Jamestown in the Mars Bluff Community of Florence, SC and talks with Terry James about The Jamestown Foundation. The...
G-Man: Death And Legacy | Carolina Stories
Episode 8

Video

Melvin Purvis’ life tragically ended on February 29, 1960, due to an accidental discharge of a firearm. Some speculate that his death was suicide, while some others say that Purvis may have been...
G-Man: Early Life | Carolina Stories
Episode 2

Video

Melvin Purvis was born in 1903, the first son of a large family from Timmonsville. He studied law at the University of South Carolina without much enthusiasm, but graduated in 1925. When his love...
G-Man: Life After FBI | Carolina Stories
Episode 7

Video

Melvin Purvis smoothly moved on from the FBI, making endorsements for various everyday items, like safety razors, cars, and cereal. The Junior G-Man Club for children, and the Park Brothers’ Melvin...
The Columns | History Of SC Slide Collection
The Columns | History Of SC Slide Collection
Episode 5

Photo

The Columns, also known as the Rankin or Johnson House, was built near Florence by Dr. William R. Johnson around 1850-60. The full-façade porch of its Classical Revival architecture represents a style...