Society Hill

The first settlement within Darlington County was made at Long Bluff on the banks of the Great Pee Dee River in 1738.

Eventually the settlement moved across the river to present day Society Hill. After the war, the town built a school and a library and soon became the cultural center of the Pee Dee Region. Nowadays, Society Hill continues to evoke memories of a quieter, more cultured era. Visitors can unwind at the Park or sample delicious southern food at Johnnie's Truckstop. Don't forget to pick up a bag of the award-winning Carolina Plantation rice!

Society Hill Attractions

Carolina Plantation Rice

Carolina Plantation is the only colonial plantation to still offer rice commercially in the Carolina's. FarmerCampbell Coxe's aromatic rice crop covers over a hundred acres and has won national acclaim. The rice is planted in mid-April, flooded when the shoots are five inches tall, and harvested in September. Sold in 5-lb bags in specialty shops across the state, the rice is also featured on the menus of upscale restaurants such as The Cloisters Restaurant in George and the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Martha Stewart selected Carolina Plantation Aromatic Rice as the most aromatic rice grown in America. Tours are available by special request.

Historic Houses, Churches & Buildings of Society Hill

Society Hill is the oldest community in Darlington County. Many of the buildings date from before the Civil War. A self-guided walking tour is available from the Darlington County Tourism Office or the Society Hill Town Hall. Once a year, many of the homes are open and decorated for the Society Hill Holiday House & Church tour.

Main Street Park

Looking for a great place to stretch your legs and have a picnic? Main Street Park is just the place! Located next to the Town Hall, the park has a picnic shelter, restrooms, and a wonderful playground for the kids.

The South Carolina Cotton Trail

The Cotton Trail is a heritage corridor showcasing the impact of cotton on the rural south. Stretching some ninety miles from I-20 to I-95, it links Bishopville, Hartsville, Society Hill, Cheraw and Bennettsville as well as such interesting smaller communities as Clio and Blenheim. Sites along the trail include museums, gardens, historic houses, working cotton fields, and working cotton gins. A companion tour, African-American Historical Sites Along the South Carolina Cotton Trail, is available. Self-guided tour. Groups welcome. Step-on guides available for groups of ten or more.

Tags: African-American Heritage Carolina Plantation Rice Historic Buildings Historic Houses Park Revolutionary War Society Hill Town