Reprinted with permission of the Darlington County Tourism Board
Darlington County and its communities are rich in history and have an abundant amount of recreational and cultural opportunities.
DarlingtonDarlington is built on legends. Legend has it that Darlington farmland is so fertile, farmers once sold it by the wagonful. Regardless of whether or not its true, each fall the fields lining the roads are white with cotton.
Yet another legend speaks of a young Northern architect, J.L. Klickner, who was asked to design a house for Colonel Samuel Hugh Wildes in 1857. When the Civil War erupted, Mr. Klickner joined the northern forces and was sent to South Carolina.
In Darlington, the Northern forces were about to burn down a house when one member of the unit, Mr. Klickner, suddenly recognized his own creation. He was able to intercede and the house was saved. Nowadays the house still stands, tall and proud. It is undergoing an extensive renovation to bring it back to the showcase it once was.
Agriculture, racing, history and hospitality are the cornerstones of Darlington. Visitors can be sure that they will experience Southern Hospitality at its best while making memories for a lifetime.
HartsvilleHartsville manages to combine big city amenities with small town charm and southern hospitality. The result is a magical southern town with a population of less than 10,000 and a million and one things to do!
Lamar
Society Hill
Nowadays, Society Hill continues to evoke memories of a quieter, more cultured era. Visitors can unwind at the Park or sample delicious southern food at Johnnie's Truckstop. Don't forget to pick up a bag of the award-winning Carolina Plantation rice! |
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Gordon McBride Interim Director
Darlington County Economic Development Partnership 131 Cashua Street Darlington, South Carolina 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4600 Fax: (843) 398-4603
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Another legend tells of Harold Brasington and his dream to make Darlington the center of the stock car universe. Though mocked at the time, Brasington refused to give up. He won the land for the racetrack on a play of cards and began building Darlington Raceway, the country’s oldest paved superspeedway. Nowadays 
Perhaps the best legends are the personal stories of the people that live in Darlington. These fine folk epitomize Southern Hospitality and always seem to make visitors feel welcome. 
Visitors to Hartsville can visit one of the many historical sites in the community. Several restored houses are open to visitors. Spend the day canoeing down Black Creek, exploring Kalmia Gardens, fishing on Prestwood Lake, or browsing through the many shops in downtown Hartsville. And, of course, be sure to enjoy a true southern meal from one of the many restaurants in town. Shrimp and Grits, anyone?
Be sure to visit Kalmia Gardens, 30 acres of flora and fauna nestled on the banks of Black Creek. Named for the mountain laurel that has always grown there, Kalmia's unique setting is of special interest to plant and tree enthusiasts, students, photographers and naturalists, as well as those who simply enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. The original 1820s home of Capt. Thomas E. Hart is located in Kalmia Gardens and is open for tours. Owned and maintained by Coker College, Kalmia Gardens' wooded trails, picnic areas, sensory garden, herb garden, and more are open to visitors from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
If fresh air, genuine southern hospitality, and down-home charm are what you are looking for, Lamar is the place. With a population of less than 1,000, Lamar doesn't have traffic jams and long lines. The pace here is slower, more gentle. The people are friendly. The food, southern cooking at its best, is fantastic. While you're in town, be sure to try the regional cuisine at Country Catering or stay the night at the Mims House, a historic home built in the 1800s. Visitors are always welcome in Lamar! 
The first settlement within Darlington County was made at Long Bluff on the banks of the Great Pee Dee River in 1738. Eventually the settlement moved across the river to present day Society Hill. After the war, the town built a school and a library and soon became the cultural center of the Pee Dee Region.
