Marlboro County: Cultural History and Trails by the Water

In Marlboro County, travel interests range from local history to walks and swimming areas at Lake Paul Wallace. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether museums and historic buildings or outdoor activities will shape your travel plans.

Museums and Architectural History

The exhibits at the Marlboro County Museum trace the county’s history from its earliest Native American inhabitants to the present day. The museum complex includes the Jennings-Brown House and Bennettsville Female Academy, a two-room schoolhouse.

The Jennings-Brown House in Bennettsville was built in 1826 by Dr. E. W. Jones, one of the town’s early physicians. In 1865, it served as the headquarters of Union troops; in 1976, it was restored to its appearance circa 1850. Bennettsville Female Academy dates to the 1830s and was a private school from 1833 to 1881. These two buildings offer a way to compare different chapters in local architectural and educational history.

The Medical Museum is located in the former medical office of Dr. J. F. Kinney, next to the main museum. The Bennettsville Visitor Center also offers a glimpse of historic architecture: it is housed in a two-story Queen Anne-style brick house completed in 1884. The building retains faux-marble slate fireplaces, longleaf pine floors, and original gas lights and chandeliers.

Historic Sites in Bennettsville

The Bennettsville Historic District encompasses the town center, historic homes, and other buildings. A walking tour of the district is available; check the current tour materials before your trip. This lets you explore local history on a walking tour rather than focusing only on individual buildings.

The Gulf heritage site documents Bennettsville’s historic African American business district. For more than 100 years, The Gulf was a place where African American professionals were active despite significant social and economic obstacles.

Performing arts and film offerings add to the cultural attractions. The restored Marlboro Civic Center operates as a live theater venue; if you’re planning a visit for a show, check the current schedule. The Geddie-Cole Center is housed in a former theater dating to the 1930s in McColl. It offers free children’s movies twice a month; check the current schedule before your trip.

Water, Trails, and Outdoor Activities

Lake Paul Wallace is a 600-acre man-made lake with beach and swimming areas. The lake also has a 1.5-mile lighted walking path, and fishing is available there. This makes walking and fishing separate activities from spending time at the swimming areas.

Brightsville Community Park offers a shorter, paved route: its multi-use path is 0.25 miles long, 10 feet wide, and runs along the inside of the park’s perimeter fence. Its length is quite different from the walking path at Lake Paul Wallace. Since park conditions and access can change, check the situation before your visit. There are also several bicycle routes in and around Bennettsville; check current road conditions and safety regulations before setting out.

River History and Local Life

The earliest inhabitants of the Marlboro County area lived, hunted, and traded along the Great Pee Dee River. Old River Road follows the river and was an important trade route to Georgetown and Charleston even before the American Revolution. The mineral springs at Blenheim were discovered in 1781 during the American Revolutionary War.

For a glimpse of local agriculture, McArthur Farms offers seasonal pick-your-own and farm-harvested fruits and vegetables, including strawberries; offerings may vary. Breeden Grocery is a traditional butcher shop in downtown Bennettsville and carries several certified South Carolina products. This selection may also change.

Discover more destinations: Bennettsville, Darlington, Richland, Fairfield County, Aiken County, Florence, Beaufort, Barnwell County.

For the main travel overview: South Carolina.