Francis Marion Trail

Battle of Lower Bridge - Take the Low Ground! Retrace your route back down Academy Street into downtown Kingstree and turn left onto Hwy. 261. Cross the railroad tracks and go a few blocks to the intersection with Hwy. 377. Make a right turn onto Hwy. 377 towards the town of Andrews. Proceed 5.5 miles to a historical marker located at a pull-off on the right about 200 yards before the bridge crosses Black River. There is parking on the bridge itself and the interpretive sign for the Battle of Lower Bridge is located beside the historical marker for this same fight. It is believed the battle occurred on both sides of the Black River on the same side of this bridge as the interpretive sign. Travel time is approximately 14 minutes from Kellahan Park.  Map

Battle of Kingstree - Gathering Vital Intelligence Turn left from Indiantown Presbyterian Church back onto Hwy 261/512 (Hemingway Road) and proceed west towards Kingstree for 17.3 miles. Go through several traffic lights on Hwy. 261 and turn right onto Academy Street in the downtown area. Go 4.5 blocks to an intersection with Kelly Street and you will see Kellahan Park in front and to the right of your position. Park beside Kellahan Park and enter the fenced area. The interpretive sign for the Battle of Kingstree is near the center of the park at an intersection of walkways. Travel time from Indiantown is approximately 19 minutes.  Map

Indiantown Presbyterian Church - Disarm in the Most Rigid Manner From Black Mingo Creek bridge, turn to the right back onto Hwy. 41, go 1.5 miles and turn left onto Hwy 512 West. Proceed 10.6 miles and turn left onto Hwy. 261/512 (also called Hemingway Highway or Henry Road) for 350 yards to Indiantown Presbyterian Church on the left. The interpretive sign is at the west end of the parking lot near the highway. This church was a center of resistance to the British. The church graveyard is very old and is the resting place for a number of people prominent in the Revolution as well as the Civil War. Travel time from Black Mingo Creek bridge is 13 minutes. Map

 Battle of Black Mingo Fighting Among Neighbors From Witherspoon’s Landing turn left back onto Old River Road/Hwy. 41 and proceed 15.2 miles to the bridge over Black Mingo Creek. About 20 yards before the bridge is a pull-off and historical marker for the Battle of Black Mingo on the right side of the highway. Beyond this marker on the left side of the highway, just before the Bridge abutment, is a paved ramp leading down to a boat landing. Make a left turn onto this ramp to the boat landing. The interpretive sign telling about the Battle of Black Mingo is at the edge of the water (Black Mingo Creek). You will be able to look across the creek at the site of the Revolutionary War port and crossing that was called Shepherd’s Ferry. Dollard’s tavern, the epicenter of the battle, was a short distance up the hill across the highway and the old port at Willtown was about one mile up the creek from where you are standing. Travel time from Witherspoon’s landing is about 20 minutes. Map

Francis Marion Takes Command Retrace your route back up Dunham’s Bluff Road and turn left onto Hwy. 378 (at the “Park and Blow”). Go 9 miles to the intersection of Hwy. 378 and Hwy. 41 (River Road) and turn left at the light. Proceed 3.2 miles and cross over Lynches River. You will take an immediate left into Witherspoon’s Landing (now named Venter’s Landing) which is a popular boat launch area on the Lynches River. The sign telling about this site is on the right near a pavilion as you face the boat ramp. Travel time is about 20 minutes from Dunham's Bluff.  Map

 Dunham’s Bluff and Snow’s Island Control of the Rivers & Den of the Swamp Fox Return to the intersection of Mill Branch Road and Old River Road, turn left onto Old River Road, drive 13.7 miles to Hwy. 378 and turn left onto Hwy. 378. Proceed 9 miles on Hwy. 378 (crossing over the Great Pee Dee River) to Bluff Road and turn right onto Bluff Road. (Note: Bluff Road is a dirt road a few yards across the highway from a convenience store called “Park and Blow.”) You will go 1.7 miles down this dirt road to Dunham’s Bluff Landing. Interpretive signs for Dunham’s Bluff and for Snow’s Island are near the edge of the bluff facing the river. Your travel time from Burch’s Mill is approximately 41 minutes. Map

1. Burch’s Mill South Carolina’s First Civil War Nears its End Leaving the Francis Marion University Educational Foundation Building on Palmetto Street you will turn right towards the Francis Marion University main entrance. Proceed 1 block on Palmetto Street and turn right at the intersection of Palmetto Street and Francis Marion Road. Follow this road for 5 miles. At the intersection of Francis Marion Road and Old River Road you, turn left onto Old River Road and proceed 7.2 miles until you get to Mill Branch Road. This is a dirt road across from Mill Branch A.M.E. Church (red brick church on the right side of the highway). You will turn left and proceed down this dirt road for 1.2 miles until you come to a stop sign at the Great Pee Dee River. This is a bluff so proceed carefully. The interpretive sign is at the edge of the bluff overlooking the river. Your travel time from the Educational Foundation Building is about 22 minutes. Map