Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Mars Bluff
Photographed By Dave W, May 14, 2023
1. Mars Bluff Marker, Side One
This is the center of Mars Bluff, a rural community 8 mi. across in both directions, bounded by the Great Pee Dee River, Black Creek, & Jefferies Creek. A ferry across the Great Pee Dee began operation in 1767. Patriot and Loyalist militia later clashed in the area during the Revolution. Mars Bluff grew in both size and significance after the Wilmington & Manchester RR arrived in the 1850s.
By the 1830s J. Eli Gregg (1805-1873) ran a general store south of here. He built a new store on this site, across from the depot, when the railroad was completed in 1853. A blacksmith shop, cotton gin, grist mill, and saw mill made this the focus of Mars Bluff life for many years. Gregg’s original store burned by 1930, but a store operated on this site until the 1950s.
Erected 2013 by Samuel Bacot Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 21-34.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1767.
Location. 34° 12.295′ N, 79° 39.344′ W. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Gregg-Wallace Farm Tenant House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Francis Marion Memorial Highway (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hewn-Timber Cabins (approx. 0.7 miles away); Atomic Bomb Accident at Mars Bluff, March 11, 1958 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Mars Bluff Rice Growers (approx. 1.2 miles away); William R. Johnson House / The Columns (approx. 1.6 miles away); Mt. Zion Rosenwald School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mt. Zion Methodist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Photographed By Dave W, May 14, 2023
2. Mars Bluff Marker, Side Two
Photographed By Dave W, May 14, 2023
3. Mars Bluff Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 15, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
