A Little About Florence, SC

Read on to learn more about our great city!

Florence, SC

The city of Florence is located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. There are approximately 37,000 people living in Florence.  Florence is also the county seat of Florence County. The city was founded in 1871 and named after Florence, Italy, for its abundant natural beauty. The National Civic League named Florence an All-American City in 1965. Founded as a railroad hub, Florence became the junction of three major railroad systems.

Florence’s Florence Museum is another popular attraction, offering a glimpse into the history and culture of the Pee Dee. The museum has excellent exhibits on the Revolutionary war, Civil War and Native American history.

Florence has several parks and recreational facilities, including Timrod Park, which has a playground, a large pond, and a walking trail. Florence poet Henry Timrod was the inspiration for the park’s name.

Several higher education institutions are also located in the city, including Francis Marion University.

 Francis Marion was founded in 1970 as a public liberal arts college. Francis Marion is one of the top public universities in the South.  The university has a strong focus on research.

Florence also has several healthcare facilities, including McLeod Regional Medical Center.  The medical center is one of the region’s most prominent providers of healthcare.  Mcleaod Regional Medical Center has a state of the art emergency department and a variety of specialized medical services. 

Sports in Florence

Sports play an important role in the culture of Florence, South Carolina. Baseball has been played in the city since the 1920s.  Teams such as the Florence Swamp Foxes and the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league team have called the city home. There are several major league players such as Cecil Fielder and Jimmy Key who have also played in Florence as minor league players.

Florence is also home to the American Legion baseball team Post 1, which has graduated more than 30 players to the professional level and has won numerous league titles and state championships. Home games are played at American Legion Field, adjacent to Memorial Stadium.

Also located in Florence are the Florence Flamingos, a college baseball team comprised of players from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference.

Hockey has also been a part of the sports landscape in Florence, with the city hosting the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Twin City Cyclones from 2005 to 2007.

In November, Florence hosts the South Carolina Pecan Festival, one of the region’s cultural events and festivals. It features a pecan-cooking contest and a parade in addition to other pecan-related events.

There’s a lot to do in this vibrant and diverse city for or residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for historical museums or cultural festivals, recreational facilities, or higher education institutions, Florence has it all.

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