Bennettsville

Bennettsville was founded in 1819 as the county seat for Marlboro County. According to local lore, the farmland here was so rich and fertile, it was once sold by the pound, not the acre. Bennettsville has a fine collection of both antebellum and Victorian homes.

BENNETTSVILLE ATTRACTIONS:

LAKE PAUL WALLACE

The lake is home to a variety of waterfowl. Bird watching, fishing, boating, skiing and swimming are all popular activities here. A lighted walking trail acres the dam and picnic sites on "Jack's Islands" round out a great outdoor recreational area.

D.D. MCCOLL HOUSE

The D. D. McColl Historic House on West Main Street is a South Carolina mosquito cottage built in 1830. It was the home of Duncan Donald McColl, who brought the first railroad, bank, and textile mills to Marlboro County. The home was purchased, restored, and presented to the county by his great-grandson, Bennettsville native Hugh L. McColl, Jr., retired chairman of Bank of America, Charlotte, NC."

MARLBORO COUNTY MUSEUM COMPLEX

The complex is a fascinating collection of buildings and exhibits including the Jennings-Brown House, the Bennettsville Female Academy, Murchison School, and the museum.

MARLBORO COUNTY MUSEUM

Housed in the Marlboro County Museum Complex, the Museum contains exhibits on agriculture, lifestyles and events important to the area. Special sections are devoted to early medicine and printing.

MARLBORO COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL

Started in 1927, the school was one of the first schools in Marlboro County for African-American students. Today the building is used as the Old Marlboro Community Center.

EVANS METROPOLITAN AME ZION CHURCH

The church was organized in 1867 by African-Americans recently freed from slavery. Three denominations - Zion, Methodist and Baptist - alternated Sundays for worship services. A dispute over who would worship on the fifth Sundays led to many parishioners leaving to start other churches.

MURCHISON SCHOOL

Completed in 1902, the school is used today for festival and stage events throughout the year.