Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Historic Downtown African American Business District
Photographed by Dave W, May 4, 2023
1. Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker, Side One
The 200 and 300 blocks of N. Dargan St. were once the center of a thriving African American business district in Florence. A number of black-owned businesses operated here, including restaurants, barber shops, funeral parlors and pharmacies. These businesses provided services to African American customers who were often denied access to white-owned businesses.
By the first decades of the 20th century North Florence had become the principal African American residential district as patterns of racial segregation became more fixed. The shops located on N. Dargan St., just north of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, served the predominantly African American residents who lived and worked here.
Erected 2017 by South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office; sponsored by the City of Florence. (Marker Number 21-45.)
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.
Location. 34° 12.03′ N, 79° 45.965′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is on North Dargan Street south of East
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: Frank Mandeville Rogers Jr. / Florence Tobacco Warehouse Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinity Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); Civil Rights Sit-Ins (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Original Site of The Wayside Hospital (approx. Ό mile away); James Allen (approx. Ό mile away); Skirmish March 5, 1865 West of Gamble's Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bell, Florence City Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Lorax: Unless (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Photographed by Dave W, May 4, 2023
2. Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker, Side Two
Photographed by Dave W, May 4, 2023
3. Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 497 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
