Cities, Towns and Communities

Bennettsville

Established as the county seat of Marlboro County on December 14, 1819, Bennettsville continues to serve as the political and economic center for the county.

Legend has it that land in Marlboro County was so rich it once was sold by the pound instead of the acre. The State of South Carolina recognized Bennettsville by designating it South Carolina’s first “G.R.E.A.T. Town” (Governor’s Rural Economic Achievement Trophy). The city logo features a star with five points representing governmental, residential, religious, cultural and retail aspects of the town. Five flags fly over Courthouse Square in Bennettsville representing the five countries whose flags have flown over South Carolina: France, Britain, Spain, Scotland and American. These flags were erected during the U.S Bicentennial Celebration in 1976.

Blenheim

Blenheim’s famous mineral springs were discovered in 1781 during the American Revolution by James Spears, a Whig, who was running to escape Tory (British) troops. Legend has it that Spears lost a shoe in a water hole while running toward his home. When he returned the next day to retrieve it, he found it in a bubbling spring, tasted the water and noticed its strong mineral content.

In the late 1890s Dr. Charles R. May encouraged his patients to drink the water. He added strong Jamaican ginger and other secret ingredients to make it taste better. That was the beginning of the famed Blenheim Ginger Ale. It is bottled today by Shafer Distributors of Dillon.

Clio

In the early 1900s, Clio was home to more millionaires per capita than any other town in South Carolina. Many of the elegant homes and churches remain from these early years. The only remaining train depot in the county is in Clio and has been restored as government offices.

McColl

The second largest municipality in the county is McColl. It’s home to a number of well-known sports figures including the National Championship football coach Jim Tatum and the late Felix A. “Doc” Blanchard, who was the Heisman Trophy Winner as an All American running back at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Tatum

Tatum was home to Marlboro County’s first high school. The Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918 brought tragedy and death and caused Tatum to lose population and its prosperity.

Wallace

The Wallace community is home to the county’s oldest industry, Palmetto Brick Company.