Hartsville in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

James Lide Coker

Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 9, 2010

1. James Lide Coker Marker (Side A)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

James L. Coker (1837-1918) came here from Society Hill ca. 1858 as a planter. While serving in the Civil War as a captain in Co. E, 6th Regiment SC Volunteers, he was seriously wounded. Promoted to major in 1864, he was a member of the SC House 1865-66. In 1865 he founded J. L. Coker & Co. and was a founder of the Bank of Darlington (1881); Darlington Manufacturing Co. (1881); Hartsville Railroad (1884); Carolina Fiber (1890) and Southern Novelty (1899), both now Sonoco; Hartsville Oil Mill (1900); Hartsville Cotton Mill (1900); Coker's Pedigreed Seed Co. (1902); and the Bank of Hartsville (1903). Major Coker's generosity resulted in the founding of Coker College in 1908. His home, which burned in 1922, was located here.

Erected 1991 by Hartsville Heritage Foundation. (Marker Number 16-27.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 34° 22.667′ N, 80° 4.252′ W. Marker is in Hartsville, South Carolina, in Darlington

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County. Marker is on E. Home Ave., on the left when traveling east. Between 3rd & 4th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hartsville SC 29550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. David Robert Coker 1870-1938 (within shouting distance of this marker); Welsh Neck High School / Coker College (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); John L. Hart / John Hart House (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carolina Fiber Co. / Sonoco Products Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Eastern Carolina Silver Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Hartsville Veterans Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hartsville Oil Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartsville.

Also see . . . East Home Avenue Historic District National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. The J. L. Coker House is listed in the East Home Avenue Historic District. (Submitted on November 23, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

James Lide Coker Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 9, 2010

2. James Lide Coker Marker (Side B)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 926 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.