Kingstree can be explored from two distinct perspectives: its historic downtown and the Black River. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Kingstree, you can first consider which focus you’d like to shape your stay: historic buildings and local history, or the riverfront and activities on the water. These places and themes give your stay different accents, without requiring a set itinerary.
Historic Buildings Downtown
The Kingstree Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1982. It encompasses 48 buildings on Main Street, Academy Street, and Hampton Street in downtown Kingstree. Most of the buildings in the district date from 1900 to 1920, and much of its historic building fabric remains intact. This makes the unified collection of historic buildings the focus of a stroll through downtown.
The Williamsburg County Courthouse, designed by Robert Mills and built in 1823, is located on Main Street. During the colonial period and the American Revolutionary War, its grounds served as a gathering and muster place for the local militia. The site’s history goes back even further: the Battle of “King’s Tree” took place in the Kingstree area on August 27, 1780. The town’s history thus brings together different periods, from the Revolutionary War to the surviving buildings of the early 20th century.
Museums, Educational History, and Remembrance
The Williamsburgh Historical Museum is housed in the former Carnegie Library on Hampton Avenue. Completed in 1917, the building is located in the Historic Downtown District. The C. Williams Rush Museum of African-American Arts & Culture offers a different focus: it is dedicated to researching, documenting, and sharing the history and contributions of African Americans in Kingstree and Williamsburg County, South Carolina.
The history of education is also an important historical theme in the town. Tomlinson Graded and High School was founded in 1866 as the first public school for Black students in South Carolina. Another precisely dated point of reference is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit on May 8, 1966: he delivered his speech “Let Us March on Ballot Boxes” on the athletic field at Tomlinson High School. Visitors interested in this history will find several different points of connection in Kingstree, rather than just a single historical theme.
Thorntree adds an older building to the picture: James Witherspoon’s plantation house was built in 1749. In the early 1970s, it was moved within Kingstree’s city limits for fire protection and restored. Its history therefore includes both its construction in the 18th century and its later relocation and restoration.
Pee Dee Tour and Walking Tour
The Pee Dee Tour includes Kingstree and a walk through the historic downtown district. Kingstree is also among the places associated with some of Francis Marion’s early guerrilla actions. For visitors who enjoy combining local history with a walk, the tour brings together a specific town walk and a connection to the history of the Revolutionary War.
Black River and Waterfront Spots
Gilland Memorial Park is located on the banks of the Black River. From there, visitors can enjoy views of the dark water and wildlife. The park also has a public swimming area on a sandy beach and a boat ramp. The site thus offers both river views and designated facilities for activities on the water.
Mill Street Landing is another named spot in Kingstree with a public boat ramp; parking is also available there. When planning, it helps to consider the features listed for each location: Gilland Memorial Park combines a sandy beach swimming area with a riverfront setting, while Mill Street Landing is notable for its boat ramp and parking. A visit to the Harvest Time Farm Stand can add another local connection. The roadside market in Kingstree sells, among other things, Muscadine grapes.
Planning Your Stay in Kingstree
When looking for a hotel in Kingstree, you can start by organizing your plans around your interests. If you’d like to focus mainly on historic buildings, museums, and African American history, you can group these themes together as you plan your trip. If you’re more interested in the Black River, Gilland Memorial Park and Mill Street Landing offer different named waterfront spots.
For the broader travel overview: Williamsburg County.
