Darlington debuts new historical info panel
Pictured at the panel dedication are (left to right) City of Darlington Mayor Pro Tem Coleman Cannon, City Council member Gloria Hines, Jennie Peze of Eastern SC Heritage Region, Mayor Tony Watkins, City Council member Jimmy Cooper, and Darlington planning director Lisa Chalian-Rock.
Photo By Samantha Lyles
The Eastern SC Heritage Region and the City of Darlington united Aug. 26 to unveil a new educational panel featuring the West Broad Street Historic District and the 14 grand homes designed by Lawrence Reese.
Reese, an African American from Marlboro County, had no formal architectural training, but became a self-taught master builder responsible for many of Darlington’s most treasured houses. Built between 1890 and 1910, many of the homes on “Reese’s Row” boast striking Victorian Style elements, including the Belk Funeral Home, which was originally the residence of Abraham Hyman and was Reese’s personal favorite design.
The new panel is located at 222 West Broad Street, just across from the Belk Funeral Home.
Darlington installed its first interpretive panel at St. John’s Elementary School in 2013, and that panel relays the story of the St. John’s Historic District.
The Eastern SC Heritage Region has over 100 certified historic sites and 400 must-see visitor attractions for heritage tourism across northeastern South Carolina. These include daytrips, vacations, and side-trips for beach getaways. To learn more, visit their website at www.easternscheritage.com.
