BRIEF HISTORY OF FLORENCE COUNTY:
Florence County took its name from its county seat,
the city of Florence. The county was formed in 1888
from parts of Marion, Darlington, Williamsburg, and Clarendon counties. The city of
Florence was founded in the 1850s as a stop on the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad;
it was named for Florence Harllee, daughter of William Wallace Harllee (1812-1897),
the president of the railroad. Florence soon became an important transportation center
for the Pee Dee region.
During the Civil War Florence was the site of a Confederate prison camp.
In later years tobacco growing became a major activity in the county. Some famous
Florence County natives are artist William H. Johnson (1901-1970), astronaut Ronald E.
McNair (1950-1986), and stock car racer Cale Yarborough.
History courtesy of South Carolina State Library
.
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Past Florence County Coordinators:
Val McGinness ( - June 2002)
1st County Coordinator: Larry Noah
