Francis Marion Trail
Francis Marion Trail
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The Francis Marion Trail Commission self-guided tour of sites in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina will guide you to seven sites where the Swamp Fox frequented during the American Revolution.
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode7
Battle of Lower Bridge - Take the Low Ground!Retrace your route back down Academy Street into downtown Kingstree and turn leftonto Hwy. 261. Cross the railroad tracks and go a few blocks to the intersection withHwy. 377. Make a right turn onto Hwy. 377 towards the town of Andrews. Proceed 5.5miles to a historical marker located at a pull-off on the right about 200 yards before thebridge crosses Black River. There is parking on the bridge itself and the interpretive signfor the Battle of Lower Bridge is located beside the historical marker for this same fight.It is believed the battle occurred on both sides of the Black River on the same side of thisbridge as the interpretive sign. Travel time is approximately 14 minutes from Kellahan Park.  Map
Oct 1, 2020
10 min
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode 6
Battle of Kingstree - Gathering Vital IntelligenceTurn left from Indiantown Presbyterian Church back onto Hwy 261/512 (HemingwayRoad) and proceed west towards Kingstree for 17.3 miles. Go through several traffic lightson Hwy. 261 and turn right onto Academy Street in the downtown area. Go 4.5 blocks toan intersection with Kelly Street and you will see Kellahan Park in front and to the rightof your position. Park beside Kellahan Park and enter the fenced area. The interpretivesign for the Battle of Kingstree is near the center of the park at an intersection ofwalkways. Travel time from Indiantown is approximately 19 minutes.  Map
Sep 29, 2020
16 min
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode 5
Indiantown Presbyterian Church - Disarm in the Most Rigid MannerFrom Black Mingo Creek bridge, turn to the right back onto Hwy. 41, go 1.5 miles andturn left onto Hwy 512 West. Proceed 10.6 miles and turn left onto Hwy. 261/512 (alsocalled Hemingway Highway or Henry Road) for 350 yards to Indiantown PresbyterianChurch on the left. The interpretive sign is at the west end of the parking lot near thehighway. This church was a center of resistance to the British. The church graveyard isvery old and is the resting place for a number of people prominent in the Revolution as well as the Civil War. Travel time from Black Mingo Creek bridge is 13 minutes. Map
Sep 29, 2020
9 min
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode 4
Battle of Black MingoFighting Among NeighborsFrom Witherspoon’s Landing turn left back onto Old River Road/Hwy. 41 and proceed15.2 miles to the bridge over Black Mingo Creek. About 20 yards before the bridge isa pull-off and historical marker for the Battle of Black Mingo on the right side of thehighway. Beyond this marker on the left side of the highway, just before the Bridgeabutment, is a paved ramp leading down to a boat landing. Make a left turn onto thisramp to the boat landing. The interpretive sign telling about the Battle of Black Mingois at the edge of the water (Black Mingo Creek). You will be able to look across the creekat the site of the Revolutionary War port and crossing that was called Shepherd’s Ferry.Dollard’s tavern, the epicenter of the battle, was a short distance up the hill across thehighway and the old port at Willtown was about one mile up the creek from where youare standing. Travel time from Witherspoon’s landing is about 20 minutes. Map
Sep 25, 2020
20 min
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode3
Francis Marion Takes CommandRetrace your route back up Dunham’s Bluff Road and turn left onto Hwy. 378 (at the“Park and Blow”). Go 9 miles to the intersection of Hwy. 378 and Hwy. 41 (River Road)and turn left at the light. Proceed 3.2 miles and cross over Lynches River. You will takean immediate left into Witherspoon’s Landing (now named Venter’s Landing) which is apopular boat launch area on the Lynches River. The sign telling about this site is on theright near a pavilion as you face the boat ramp. Travel time is about 20 minutes from Dunham's Bluff.  Map
Sep 25, 2020
14 min
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode 2
Dunham’s Bluff and Snow’s IslandControl of the Rivers & Den of the Swamp FoxReturn to the intersection of Mill Branch Road and Old River Road, turn left onto OldRiver Road, drive 13.7 miles to Hwy. 378 and turn left onto Hwy. 378. Proceed 9 miles onHwy. 378 (crossing over the Great Pee Dee River) to Bluff Road and turn right onto BluffRoad. (Note: Bluff Road is a dirt road a few yards across the highway from a conveniencestore called “Park and Blow.”) You will go 1.7 miles down this dirt road to Dunham’sBluff Landing. Interpretive signs for Dunham’s Bluff and for Snow’s Island are near theedge of the bluff facing the river. Your travel time from Burch’s Mill is approximately 41minutes. Map
Sep 24, 2020
31 min
FMTC Sites The Pee Dee Tour - Episode 1
1. Burch’s MillSouth Carolina’s First Civil War Nears its EndLeaving the Francis Marion University Educational Foundation Building on PalmettoStreet you will turn right towards the Francis Marion University main entrance. Proceed1 block on Palmetto Street and turn right at the intersection of Palmetto Street andFrancis Marion Road. Follow this road for 5 miles. At the intersection of Francis MarionRoad and Old River Road you, turn left onto Old River Road and proceed 7.2 miles untilyou get to Mill Branch Road. This is a dirt road across from Mill Branch A.M.E. Church(red brick church on the right side of the highway). You will turn left and proceed downthis dirt road for 1.2 miles until you come to a stop sign at the Great Pee Dee River. Thisis a bluff so proceed carefully. The interpretive sign is at the edge of the bluff overlookingthe river. Your travel time from the Educational Foundation Building is about 22 minutes. Map
Sep 24, 2020
21 min