Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ebony Guest House

Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023

1. Ebony Guest House Marker, Side One

Inscription.
In 1949, Ebony Guest House, a prominent local tourist home for African Americans, opened at this site. It was owned and operated by Mary C. Holmes (1900-1981), a native of Williamsburg Co. who moved to Florence in the 1920s. She lived next door with her family, who helped maintain the Guest House. Her husband, Norman A. Holmes (c.1890-1969), was a minister and carpenter who oversaw construction of the two concrete-block buildings where guests stayed.

Ebony Guest House was listed in The Negro Traveler’s Green Book for a number of years and was a valuable resource at a time when white-owned establishments typically barred African Americans. It initially catered to traveling ministers but soon served a variety of guests, including national entertainers performing at nearby venues. Ebony Guest House closed in the 1970s. Holmes family descendants later converted the buildings into apartments.

Erected 2022 by outh Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, sponsored by Francis Marion University and the City of Florence. (Marker Number 21-56.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 34° 12.425′ N, 79° 45.646′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is on Wilson Street south of South Carolina Road 21-1508, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 712 Wilson St, Florence SC 29506, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally,

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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: Dr. Iola Jones Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Iola Jones Park / American Legion Stadium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frank Mandeville Rogers Jr. / Florence Tobacco Warehouse Company (approx. half a mile away); Historic Downtown African American Business District (approx. half a mile away); Trinity Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Civil Rights Sit-Ins (approx. ¾ mile away); The Original Site of The Wayside Hospital (approx. ¾ mile away); James Allen (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Ebony Guest House Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023

2. Ebony Guest House Marker, Side Two

Ebony Guest House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023

3. Ebony Guest House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 693 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.