Random Thoughts Blog

Ever since I settled in Myrtle Beach ten years ago, I have started the year with a South Carolina State Park tradition, a First Day Hike. I did Myrtle Beach State Park several times, Huntington Beach, Hampton Plantation, and a couple of previews – future parks, like Ramsey Grove, and todays treat – the future site of The Meadows at Black River State Park.

Thank you to Macie from the State Parks for being such a great source of information, and for leading our hike! Another park service rock star!

Sign reading Future Home of The Meadows at Black River State Park

Taking the backroads, I knew I’d go by some historical markers on the way to the Black River site. I was not disappointed.

South Carolina historical marker for Black Mingo–Willtown, a settlement on Black Mingo Creek

South Carolina historical marker for Black Mingo Baptist Church

The Meadows at Black River

The Black River State Park initiative was made possible by several partnerships, including the Nature Conservancy and the Open Space Institute.

Black River Water Trail and Park Network sign with a park map

Sign with renderings of planned Black River park buildings

There are a total of 12 planned Black River sites that the state is working hard to make publicly accessible. The Meadows has a target opening of May 2025, tentatively. A lot of road and preliminary site work has been done.

Dirt road through tall pines under a blue sky

Weathered old cabin among bare winter trees

There will be a kayak launch, with access to state park property on both sides of the river.

The Black River with fallen limbs along the bank

The Black River and bare winter trees from the bank

The Black River State Park is more of a linear park that follows a 70-mile stretch of the Black River. The water trail starts near Kingstree in Williamsburg County, and travels down to Rocky Point Community Forest in Georgetown County.

The park is so new both Google maps and Waze were completely flummoxed, they both thought I had gone rogue, and was off-roading in uncharted territory.

Wooden survey stake with pink flagging in the sand

Sandy dirt road curving through the pine forest

Tomb of Francis Marion

After the hike, I was able to visit another spot that is managed by SC Santee State Park, The Tomb of General Francis Marion.

Sign pointing to the Tomb of General Francis Marion at Belle Isle Plantation, 8 miles

Historical marker for Belle Isle Plantation, former home of Gabriel Marion, brother of General Francis Marion, who is buried in the family graveyard

The site is easily accessible, and well-maintained. It’s a lovely spot, truly a place to rest peacefully.

Historical marker for Francis Marion, Brigadier General of S.C. Militia, the Swamp Fox

Straight paved road through the pines toward the burial site

Here are some official links pertaining to this place:
From American Battlefield Trust
From the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust
From the Daughters of the American Revolution

Interpretive sign titled The Elusive Francis Marion: Guerrilla Commander, with a map of South Carolina

Close view of the sign's map of Francis Marion's engagements, 1780–1782

Interpretive sign titled The Elusive Francis Marion: The Stuff of Legend, with a painting of Marion

Weathered inscription on Francis Marion's tomb

Bronze relief plaque on the side of the Marion tomb

Pineville Chapel

Historical marker 8-52, The Village of Pineville, established in 1793–94, with a wreath at its base

Pineville Chapel history, location, photos

From the Library of Congress, Historical Building drawings

Biggin Church Ruins

During the American Revolution, ammunitions were stored in the church by British troops who, upon leaving, set the church on fire. It was rebuilt and burned again during a forest fire.