Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Civil Rights Sit-Ins
Photographed By Charles Wright
1. Civil Rights Sit-Ins Marker (side 1)
On March 3-4, 1960, members of the Florence Youth branch of the NAACP staged protest demonstrations here at the former S.H. Kress store. Wilson H.S. students marched from Trinity Baptist Church to sit at the store's lunch counter, but were refused service and asked to leave. The police were called and the students left peacefully. Store management closed the counter before reopening shortly after.
On March 4, 1960, students planned to picket in front of the store, but were arrested while walking up to the building. Forty-eight protesters were arrested and charged with "parading without a permit.” The convictions were appealed to the S.C. Supreme Court and overturned in City of Florence v. George (1962). The lunch counter remained closed until the 1970s when it was reopened with service for all.
Erected 2019 by Florence County Museum. (Marker Number 21 47.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1960.
Location. 34° 11.842′ N, 79° 45.994′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. Marker is on West Evans Street west of North Dargan Street, on the right when traveling
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McLeod Medical Center (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Original Site of The Wayside Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Downtown African American Business District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trinity Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Frank Mandeville Rogers Jr. / Floreence Tobacco Warehouse Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Skirmish March 5, 1865 West of Gamble's Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Wilson School / Wilson High School (approx. ¼ mile away); F.H. McLeod House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Also see . . . Florence County Museum - Pee Dee History Gallery. (Submitted on December 21, 2022.)
Photographed By Charles Wright
2. Civil Rights Sit-Ins Marker (side 2)
Photographed By Charles Wright
3. Civil Rights Sit-Ins Marker
Photographed By Charles Wright
4. Civil Rights Sit-Ins Marker
Photographed By Charles Wright
5. Former S.H. Kress Store
Photographed By Charles Wright
6. Civil Rights Sit-Ins Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2022, by Charles Wright of Surfside Beach, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Charles Wright of Surfside Beach, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
