Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Francis Marion
"The Swamp Fox"
| | 1732-1795 | |
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 24, 2008
1. Francis Marion Marker
His volunteer militia detachment operated primarily in the lowcountry attacking Tory Units, disrupting British supply lines and providing intelligence reports to his Commanding Officer - General Greene. Marion & his men, which included African Americans, would often escape pursuing British forces by retreating into the swamps, thus earning him the nickname "swamp fox."
Regarded as the father of US Special Forces, he would join Greene's Continental forces before a major battle. Marion County, Lake Marion, and Marion National Forest are named in his honor.
Erected 2006.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 34° 50.842′ N, 82° 24.018′ W. Marker was in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It was on South Main Street (State Highway 124) south of East
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Upstate. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, 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 location: Harper Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Roger Craft Peace Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Spirit of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Greenville 9-11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Chamber of Commerce Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nick Strange (about 400 feet away); Joel Roberts Poinsett (about 500 feet away); Wyche Pavilion (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Greenville's General (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Thomas Sumter (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Andrew Pickens (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Old Glory
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 24, 2008
2. Nathanael Greene Park
The marker is located at the left end of the bench surrounding Greene.
More about this marker. The marker was removed as part of the demolition of the Greenville News Building, as well as the adjacent Plaza, for a new development.
Also see . . .
1. List of Places Named for Francis Marion. This is a list of places named after Francis Marion, a Brigadier General from South Carolina in the American Revolutionary War. He had more places named after him, than any other Revolutionary Soldier, with the exception of George Washington. (Submitted on August 28, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Wikipedia Entry: Francis Marion. Francis Marion (February 26, 1732 – February 27, 1795) was a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army and later brigadier general in the South Carolina Militia during the American
Photographed by Mark Parker, October 25, 2024
3. Southeast corner of Main and Broad.
Location of the former Greenville News Building, which was demolished in 2017. The entire plaza with renovated with the relocation of the Nathanael Greene statue. Previous markers in the area were removed
3. Nathanael Greene statue finds new home in Greenville. An overview of the Greenville News Building and adjacent plaza and the relocation of the Nathanael Greene statue.
The building, which housed The News for nearly 50 years before the organization moved its headquarters feet away to East Broad and Falls streets in February, wont be imploded, but instead will undergo a gradual demolition that will be complete in August.(Submitted on October 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
The building has been prepped over the past two weeks with crews removing windows and furniture and determining what can be recycled, said Debra Nelson, a spokeswoman for Brasfield & Gorrie, the contractor handling the work.
The demolition will clear the land for a new hotel, which as part of the 4-acre campus will include apartments, condos and office and retail space.(Greenville News, 5/29/2017)
Additional commentary.
1. Francis Marion and The Patriot
There are many who believe that Francis Marion served as the inspiration for Mel Gibson's character in The Patriot. In fact, early drafts of the film have the Gibson character named Francis Marion. Marion was dropped from the script due to him being a slave owner. Reports surface from time to time that he was cruel to his slaves, beat and raped them. No historical evidence has been uncovered to support these claims. However, their very existence was enough for the producers of the film to serve as the basis for his removal. Gibson's character thus became a combination of Marion and Sumter and Pickens. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted August 28, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,927 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on October 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on October 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
