Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Lorax: Unless
Leo Rijn, artist
"Long before saving the Earth became a global concern, Dr. Suess, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to Earth's natural beauty." - School Library Journal
It is no surprise that today's Green Movement heralds The Lorax as the forerunner which inspired, and continues to inspire, new generations of children to accept personal and societal responsibility for the preservation of our natural resources. Written in 1971, The Lorax was ahead of its time and only realized widespread sales when the environmental movement took off a decade later. Today, this revolutionary book is heralded as a vital childhood touchstone which, as the years have passed, has informed and inspired our collective conscience to embrace conservation.
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It's not."
Shortly before his death in 1991, Ted was asked if there was anything left unsaid. He pondered the question and finally responded, "The best slogan I can think of to leave with the USA would be: "We can and we've got to do better than this." Ted Geisel himself considered The Lorax his favorite Dr. Suess book.
Erected by Leo
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.
Location. 34° 11.772′ N, 79° 45.954′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is on South Dargan Street north of East Cheves Street (South Carolina Road S-21-92), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 S Dargan 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, it is in 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: Bell, Florence City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Swept yards (within
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
