Hartsville  South Carolina

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Located in Darlington County of the Pee Dee Region, Hartsville SC is easily accessible from both I-95 and I-20. It is convenient to Myrtle Beach (85 miles east), Columbia, SC ( 70 miles southwest), Charlotte, NC (84 miles northwest), and about a 3-hour drive to the mountains of North and South Carolina.

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Hartsville’s Early History

According to the book, Milestones, Hartsville Centennial, many Native American tribes lived in northeastern South Carolina, currently known as the Pee Dee region. The Souian-speaking tribes, Catawba, Waxhaw, Wateree, Cheraw and Pee Dee lived in the area known now as Hartsville, South Carolina. These tribes were plagued by disease brought into the area by European settlers. By approximately 1715, most of the Native American population disappeared. A few of their decedents still live near the Rock Hill area.

First Settlement

Hartsville’s first settlement began around 1760. Hartsville received its name from Captain Thomas E. Hart. Captain Hart, a very influential man, due to his kind and gentle nature, won the hearts and trust of those in the community. He owned most of the land around Hartsville. Though a farmer, he also owned a mercantile business. During the depression of 1837-1838, Captain Hart lost his land and business. Kalmia, the homestead of the Hart family was sold to Captain Hart’s son-in-law, Colonel T.C. Law.

First Businesses

In 1845 the son of Captain Hart, John Lide Hart, bought 491 acres from Colonel Law. John Hart established Hartsville Plantation in the area now considered downtown Hartsville. John Law established a carriage factory, steam powered sawmill, grist mill, store, post office, school and Hartsville Baptist Church. John Hart sold his carriage factory to Caleb Coker in 1855. Caleb Coker bought the factory for his son, James Lide Coker.

Major James Lide Coker

James came to Hartsville in 1857. His plans, to put into practice farming methods learned at Harvard college, were interrupted by the Civil War. James Lide Coker became a Major while in the service. Major Coker returned to Hartsville, injured, and found his plantation in shambles. He was determined to reconstruct his plantation and the once prospering town of Hartsville. In 1894 Major Coker established the Welsh Neck high school which later became Coker College. Major Coker also established a seed company, oil mill, fertilizer plant and the Coker and Company General Store. He also established a bank and the Southern Novelty Company. The Cokers unable to gain the interest of other business owners in Hartsville to build a rail-road spur, decided to build their own. This decision led to great prosperity. In 1899, The Southern Novelty Company and the Carolina Fiber Company merged. This merger created Sonoco Products Company. Sonoco Products Company, now a fortune 500 company with world worldwide interest, employs many Hartsville citizens.

Due to Hartsville's large population of affluent people many of the businesses in Hartsville have designed themselves to target them, sometimes exclusively. As a result Hartsville is an ideal place to find shops that sell items not commonly found elsewhere, just don't expect the downtown specialty shops to be open past 5:00PM. In fact many businesses close their doors at 5:00. Whether this is because of any perceived demographic not shopping during that time, or that in fact the majority of people in Hartsville shop during business hours is a question. The result however is that the downtown shops with the exception of a handful do not cater to the 8-5 employee, nor do many of the other businesses in town. However there is a 24-hour Super Wal-Mart just out of town. There is also a BI-LO (United States) in the downtown area

Burry is the only Bookstore in Hartsville. Their large selection of books is complemented by Hallmark ornaments sold in the store. You can generally find best sellers and new releases at Burry.

There are several restaurants in Hartsville SC, with the better dining being at the ethnic restaurants in the area. Fuji, Winn Buffet, Rancho Grande, and Los Tres Hermanos. Another is the Midnight Rooster. The Rooster is a small coffee shop and Courtyard eatery located in the downtown area that often has live music. Others of note include Shug's Smokehouse, located west of town on Kellytown Road and Bizzels located in the heart of town on Carolina Ave; as well as Mr. B's Seafood Restaurant just outside of town in Lydia. Mr. B's Seafood has a Sunday buffet, which draws patrons from nearby areas. Miriam's Kitchen (aka Grigg's) is also known to draw quite a crowd for its version of the after-church buffet. Both of these are 'country cookin' establishments. In addition, there is also Applebee's and Ruth's Drive In, a local staple.