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| Bennettsville and Marlboro County |
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t’s not often that a community reinvents itself several times. In Bennettsville, it’s a
testament to the spirit of the town that as times have changed, the town has
changed as well.
The good news is that with each transformation, this small,
historic community has brought along the best of its past, incorporating old southern
traditions into new programs that breathe fresh air into all of Marlboro County.
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or Alex Hicks and his family, the move from Austin, Texas to the tiny town of Clio, ten miles from
Bennettsville, has been a very positive one.
“We’ve been here four years, and I can honestly say that the people here have been wonderful,” he said.
“Our social life is busier than it ever was in Austin.” The Hicks family includes three boys who have
fit right into the many social and sports activities offered. They enjoy frequent trips to the beaches
of Pawley’s Island and Huntington Beach, and have grown to love South Carolina barbecue.
“My friends teased me about the barbecue,” he laughed, noting that it’s different, but just as
good as the Texas variety. “I’ve got friends in both places, so I’m not going to choose.”
Alex Hicks is the Quality Assurance Manager at Rockwell Automation, one of a number of
large manufacturing facilities in Marlboro County.
Manufacturing has had a strong presence in this region, and continues its impact to this day.
For example, Reliance Trading Corporation of America first opened its Bennettsville plant in
1996, and recently announced a large expansion and 50 new jobs. The company is a
leading manufacturer of artificial trees and floral displays.
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Other notable manufacturing giants include fabric manufacturer Delta Mills, a
division of Delta Woodside Industries, Inc., yarn manufacturer Mohawk Industries,
and Weyerhauser, a forestry giant that has grown to produce building products
and pulp, paper and packaging, among other products.
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These companies are great corporate neighbors to community residents, but long
before the industrialization of Marlboro County, it was already recognized for its resources.
The earliest explorers found the region inhabited by the Pee Dee Indians who fished in its rivers and hunted
in the forests. Early Welsh settlers planted cotton, which thrived in the sandy soil and warm climate.
(Today, cotton remains a major crop, as well as soybeans and corn.)
The old cotton farms often grew to become bona fide plantations, and for a time, Marlboro
County was known as one of the richest agricultural communities in the state. (Legend says
that the land was so rich it once sold by the pound instead of the acre.)
Remnants of those bygone days when cotton was king can be found along the South
Carolina Cotton Trail, which winds through six small towns and offers visitors a rare look
at history and tradition preserved along main streets and in historic churches, museums
and antebellum mansions.
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In Bennettsville, the lifestyle and affluence of those days are reflected in the Victorian and
Greek revival homes and public buildings. One, the Breeden Inn and Carriage House, is a Circa 1886
Bed and Breakfast that brings the warmth and elegance of those days into the 21st Century.
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There are some 35 historic buildings in Bennettsville, offering the casual visitor or potential homeowner
the sense that important events occurred behind these carefully- restored walls.
To say, however, that this community lives in the past is to do it grave injustice, because this
town brings the best of the past to blend into its ongoing transformation. A shining example
is the historic opera house/motion picture theatre, once a thriving cultural and entertainment
center and a major stop for vaudeville and musical shows on the New York to Miami circuit, it
has been restored to again serve as the cultural heart of the community.
Arts are alive and flourishing here, as evidenced by the Marlboro Arts Council, which sponsors
the Writers Reading Series, bringing world-renowned authors to read from their works and talk
with their listeners about the beauty of the written word (all at no charge).
An artists’ shop invites local talent to display and sell a variety of pieces in the historic Weatherly-Walker
House, and musical diversions range from bluegrass to classical.
For Bill and Kathy Sloan, Bennettsville was the ideal place to change the pace of their lives and begin
new careers. She was a native; he was from Jacksonville, Florida, where they lived for many years.
The couple visited her family often, and when an old landmark restaurant became available, they
decided to switch gears away from his fast-paced banking career to small-town living.
Their restaurant, Magnolia on Main, has become extremely popular, serving breakfast and lunch,
and famous for morning omelets, lunchtime salads and southern cooking.
“Business is good and we’re pleased with it,” said Mrs. Sloan as she helped prepare for a large party
later that day. The Sloans were careful to protect as many architectural elements as possible in their
historic downtown building, and enjoy offering a bit of southern hospitality on Main Street.
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“We’ve always wanted an old home at an affordable price,” she explained.
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“Now, we have one and we are renovating it and enjoying the life here
in this wonderful community.”
A great asset is nearby Lake Wallace, a manmade lake that has a 1.5-mile walking trail running
across the diversion dam. People enjoy the view of both water and wildlife, as well as the
opportunity to see friends and neighbors along the well-lit trail. The lake draws water
sports enthusiasts as well as fishermen in search of the big catch.
Recreation opportunities, the arts and good food are important but the final cog in
Marlboro County’s revitalization efforts can be found in its determination to
rebuild itself economically.
One of the area’s most energetic spokesmen is Bob Vail, Executive Director of the
Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership.
“There is so much going for our community,” says Mr. Vail, noting that business and
civic leaders have invested enormous time identifying the strengths and challenges to
Bennettsville and its surroundings. “The city has renovated the old Armory, and now
it’s a million-dollar community and fitness center. An outside developer has bought six
downtown historic buildings and 22 upper story apartments are being developed,
along with retail space down below.” There are three other locally-owned buildings
in which upper story apartments also are being developed with retail on the ground floor.
The Partnership is not focused on one area, but rather a broad spectrum of public
and private programs and initiatives, insuring that every aspect of life is enhanced.
“We’ve shown that we can attract industry and give people career opportunities,
and that has created more confidence and a lot more pride,” he explained.
Slightly more than an hour’s drive from the beach, and within an easy drive of larger
metropolitan areas, Bennettsville and Marlboro County continue to improve life for new
residents, as well as old families. The motto of its downtown development association
speaks volumes – A Proud Past…A Promising Future.
No doubt.
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| ~updated
april 9, 2003 |
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Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer,
magazine editor, printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has
published more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing
explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business and management
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