Marion County has strong ties to Revolutionary War history. The county and county seat’s namesake, Francis Marion, was a Revolutionary War general called the “Swamp Fox.” Additionally, a number of small Revolutionary War battles, including ones led by Marion himself, took place in the county.
The region was initially settled by the English, who traveled to the area via the Great Pee Dee River in the 18th century. In 1785, the area was first named Liberty County and existed within the Georgetown District. However, in 1800 the area separated from the Georgetown District and turned into the Marion District. The county became smaller in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as land previously belonging to Marion County became part of Florence and Dillon counties.
Since the 20th century, Marion County has been known for its cultivation of tobacco. However, in more recent years manufacturing has begun to have a larger presence in the economy.
Major Industrial Employers. Accessed June 09, 2016. marioncountysc.com
