Part of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, Darlington County got its start when Welsh Baptists settled in the area and began to farm indigo, flax and other crops along the Welsh Neck of the Pee Dee River. These early settlers resulted in a strong Baptist presence, and the first non-Baptist place of worship did not exist in Darlington County until the late 18th century.
Initially part of the Cheraws District, Darlington became its own district in 1789. In 1868, Darlington District became Darlington County, but in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the county lost about third of its size to the creation of Florence and Lee counties. Darlington serves as the county seat. Though no one is certain on the reason for the name Darlington, it is thought to be a reference to Darlington, England.
Historically, cotton farming and railroads contributed most to the county’s economy. Agriculture has remained important in Darlington County, although cotton farming has given way to the farming of other crops, such as tobacco. The county is principally known for Darlington Raceway, which is an important venue for stock car racing.
County History. Accessed June 02, 2016. http://www.darcosc.com/residents/county_history.php
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Main Street, Society Hill, before paving, around 1910. Society Hill was the core of the Welsh Neck settlement along the Great Pee Dee River granted to Welsh Baptists from Delaware in 1736. The name...
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Darlington International Raceway, built in 1950, was the first stock car speedway of its kind. The 1.36 mile facility is located 2 miles west of Darlington, on state highways 34 and 151. The Pepsi...
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Stock car races at the Darlington International Raceway attract 50,000 to 75,000 fans annually. This van of spectators came for a Southern 500 in the late 1970s. Courtesy of the Darlington County...
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The Southern 500 inspires a weeklong festival of parades and other events. In this 1957 beauty contest, contestant #21 was declared the winner. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.
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Aerial view of the Darlington International Raceway around 1985. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.
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Aerial view of Darlington, July 1965, shows the new courthouse standing alone and the empty space formerly occupied by City Hall. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.
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This aerial of the Darlington town square shows the brief juxtaposition of a new courthouse, built in 1969, with the old one (see Darlington Town Square), not yet destroyed. The old city hall was also...
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View of the north side of the Darlington town square around 1920, showing the City Hall in the background. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.
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This view of the Darlington town square gives a good view of the fourth courthouse, built in 1903. Darlington was an important cotton market, and farmers are gathered on the courthouse square around...
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Darlington County Courthouse, photographed around 1890. Darlington was originally part of the Cheraw District, created as an independent county by the state legislature in 1785 when it redrew the...
