Explore the fascinating history, landmarks, and stories that make Florence, SC special.
Florence is a vibrant city of over 38,000 residents, serving as the economic and cultural center of South Carolina's Pee Dee region. What began as a railroad crossing has evolved into a dynamic community that honors its past while embracing the future.
Florence continues its legacy as a transportation hub, strategically positioned at the crossroads of I-95 and I-20, making it a key stop for travelers and businesses along the East Coast corridor.
Home to MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and McLeod Health, providing world-class care to the region.
Francis Marion University, Florence-Darlington Technical College, and excellent public schools shape future generations.
Florence Center, Florence County Museum, and a thriving downtown arts scene enrich community life.
Diverse economy with healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and logistics driving growth and opportunity.
Strong faith communities, local businesses, and neighbors who care make Florence a place to call home.
Discover the rich history, fascinating facts, and stories behind the landmarks that make Florence special.
Florence earned the nickname "The Magic City" due to its rapid growth following the arrival of three major railroads in the late 1800s. The city seemingly appeared "magically" as a transportation hub, transforming from farmland to a thriving commercial center almost overnight.
The Florence Stockade was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War. Nearly 2,800 Union soldiers died there and are buried in Florence National Cemetery. Today, it stands as a solemn reminder of the cost of war and honors those who served.
Florence is home to one of the most extensive collections of Civil War artifacts in the Southeast. The museum houses over 10,000 relics and tells the story of both Union and Confederate soldiers, including detailed accounts of the Florence Stockade.
Florence Regional Airport began as a World War II Army Air Base. Thousands of pilots trained at the base during the war. After WWII, it transitioned to a civilian airport and became an important economic driver for the Pee Dee region.
Named after Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion ("The Swamp Fox"), the university was founded in 1970 and has grown to serve over 4,000 students. FMU is the educational and cultural hub of the Pee Dee region.
Florence's downtown features beautiful early 20th-century architecture with over 50 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Evans Street and Dargan Street showcase preserved storefronts and buildings from Florence's commercial boom era.
From a railroad crossing to a thriving city—discover how Florence became the heart of the Pee Dee region.
The original township of Florence was developed as a railroad terminal at the juncture of three rail lines: the Wilmington & Manchester, the North Eastern and the Cheraw & Darlington. The name for the proposed crossing site was Florence, in honor of Florence Harllee, daughter of the president of the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad W.W. Harllee.
When the Wilmington & Manchester line purchased five acres of property in 1853 for the purpose of building a depot, Florence had its small, but official, start.
During the Civil War, Florence's rails were busy. Troops, artillery and supplies regularly passed through Florence on their way to Richmond, Charleston and Savannah. Wounded Confederate troops traveled by rail to Florence's Wayside Hospital and captured Union troops were conveyed to town to be garrisoned in the Florence Stockade.
Although the war had exacted a heavy toll on the area's trains, depots and track, all three rail lines were back up and running shortly after the war's end.
By the 1870's the village had a population of about 700 but, due to ever-expanding railroad activity, an emerging middle class more than doubled the town's population by the end of the decade.
In 1888 the new county of Florence was created. Two years later the City of Florence was chartered and serves as the county seat.
The early twentieth century saw the city's rail traffic reach its peak as the country focused on World War I. In the 1920's and 1930's, Florence made great education and cultural strides, opening new public schools, a library and a museum.
After World War II, the city expanded westward, eventually encompassing almost 10,000 acres.
Although the importance of the railroads began to decline in the last half of the century, the role of transportation remains a prominent thread in the tapestry of the city's development. From the 1950's through the early 1970's, Florence's midpoint location between New York and Miami made the city a popular stop for motorists using US Highway 301.
Situated at the intersection of interstate highways I-95 and I-20, the city continues to attract travelers from the nation's busy eastern corridor. Strategic location coupled with the recently expanded air service offered by its regional airport allows Florence to maintain its role as a transportation hub for the southeast.
Facts for this history of the City of Florence were taken, in large part, from Florence, A Renaissance Spirit by Eugene N. Zeigler.
Read More at City of Florence