Welcome to Bennettsville, South Carolina a great place to live, work and play. Located in Marlboro County in the Pee Dee Region of the state, Bennettsville is filled with symbols of its proud past. Designated by the state of South Carolina as “First Great Town” recipient, Bennettsville was founded in 1819 as the county seat of Marlboro County.
At the Heart of Bennettsville’s historic downtown is the court house square, one of the largest in the state. A stroll through the historic downtown reveals a glimpse of the Victorian commercial buildings that grace the streets and thanks to a current rehabilitation initiative, these buildings are being preserved.
Visit our city and take our walking tour and discover hidden gems of the Victorian and Greek revival homes and public buildings. Throughout Bennettsville you will find fine examples of distinguished architecture, including the Jennings-Brown House (1827), Bennettsville Female Academy (1833) and the D.D. McColl House (1835).
Recreational opportunities abound in and around Bennettsville, Marlboro County, and throughout the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. Our central location makes Big City events a short drive away.
In Bennettsville you will find numerous neighborhood parks located throughout the city. Many of them host to Annual Events such as the Celebrate Bennettsville Festival which will have a change in venue this year.
Lake Paul Wallace, covering 600 acres, offers many recreational choices for boating, skiing, and fishing, as well as a two mile walking trail through the lake. The Bennettsville Marlboro Chamber of Commerce also hosts an annual ski competition on the lake each year.
Golfers have two area courses to choose from. Marlboro & Clio Country Clubs host several local tournaments and activities each year. Other courses are within a short driving distance from Bennettsville, including Cheraw State Park course, nearby.
The Marlboro County Parks and Recreation Commission offers a variety of programs for all ages and interests. The recently renovated Bennettsville Community Center is home to many of the activities and events including fitness classes, weight training, and aerobics. In addition, many short term programs of special interest are held on an ongoing basis.
The Marlboro Area Arts Council now celebrating its 35th year is one of the second oldest Arts Councils in the state of South Carolina. The Evening Concert Series, Children’s Concert Series, and Children’s Performing Arts Camp are just a few of the ongoing programs the Arts Council sponsors on a regular basis. The Marlboro Players put on community theatre productions three or four times yearly. Since 1970, this group has entertained audiences with a wide range of local talent at the Marlboro Civic Center.
The Marlboro Civic Center has recently undergone a complete renovation and is truly a fine example of the communities desire to preserve its past, while progressing into the future. Numerous special events are held at the center on an ongoing basis.
Civic Organizations, garden, book, and music clubs, covering a numerous interests, are all working to make Bennettsville, and Marlboro County a great place to live. Kiwanis, Rotary, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to name a few are all very active in the community and offer residents a chance to participate in projects geared towards their respective objectives.
Churches of many denominations offer fellowship and worship to all who seek it. Bennettsville area churches are very active in the community and have been since the earliest beginnings of Marlboro County.
The Marlboro County Airport can accommodate most private air traffic on its 4200 foot lighted runway. The airport is located just 3 miles from town and makes Bennettsville, easy access for our local industries with worldwide business. Regularly scheduled commercial flights can be found just 40 miles away in Florence.
Activities for everyone can be found in and around Bennettsville and Marlboro County. Voted South Carolinas #1 Historic Small Town, the area has many offerings not found in other places. The people that make it their home are the people that make it a great place to be, through their community involvement, and willingness to participate in making it a better place every day.