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 South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, sponsored by Florence County Museum. (Marker Number 21-47.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1960.
Location. 34° 11.842′
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Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Allen (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell, Florence City Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Swept yards (about 500 feet away); The Lorax: Unless (about 500 feet away); Propellers, CSS Peedee (about 500 feet away); Florence Civic Improvement Society Memorial (about 600 feet away); McLeod Medical Center (about 600 feet away); Downtown Arts Corridor (about 700 feet 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 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2022, by Charles Wright of Surfside Beach, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,181 times since then and 111 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.
