Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
McLeod Medical Center
Photographed by Bruce InCharlotte, March 10, 2023
1. McLeod Medical Center Marker
The McLeod Infirmary was located here in 1906, inspired by the need to provide access to local medical and surgical care for people in the region. Frank Hilton McLeod was born in Richmond Co., N.C. in 1868 and graduated from the Univ. of Tennessee Medical School. In 1891, he moved to Florence and chartered the Florence Infirmary. By the 1920s it was the third largest hospital in the state.
In 1930, with the assistance of the Duke Endowment, McLeod Infirmary became a non-profit institution. A new building opened in 1935 and expanded capacity to 190 beds. Renamed McLeod Memorial Hospital in 1971, expansion continued when 14 blocks of Urban Renewal land were acquired just east of this location. The McLeod Regional Medical Center opened in 1979 with over 300 beds and improved acute care facilities.
Erected 2016 by South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office; sponsored by McLeod Medical Center. (Marker Number 21-44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 34° 11.737′ N, 79° 46.017′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence
this page online
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: Florence Civic Improvement Society Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Propellers, CSS Peedee (within shouting distance of this marker); Swept yards (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Arts Corridor (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell, Florence City Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lorax: Unless (about 400 feet away); James Allen (about 500 feet away); Civil Rights Sit-Ins (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Photographed by Dave W, May 4, 2023
2. McLeod Medical Center Marker
Photographed by Dave W, May 4, 2023
3. McLeod Medical Center Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2023, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,264 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 18, 2023, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
