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

Inscription.
(side 1)
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. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) 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 City of Florence. (Marker Number 21-45.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 34° 12.03′ N, 79° 45.965′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. Marker is on North Dargan Street south of East Darlington

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Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 259 N Dargan St, Florence SC 29506, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frank Mandeville Rogers Jr. / Floreence 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. ¼ mile away); Skirmish March 5, 1865 West of Gamble's Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); McLeod Medical Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wilson School / Wilson High School (approx. half a mile away); F.H. McLeod House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, May 4, 2023

2. Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker, Side Two

Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave W, May 4, 2023

3. Historic Downtown African American Business District Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 16 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.