Hartsville, South Carolina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hartsville is a city in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,556 at the 2000 census (14,907 total pop. of Hartsville Urban Cluster) and is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Shopping in Hartsville
5 Schools in Hartsville
6 Dining in Hartsville
7 Points of interest
8 External links

[edit] Geography

Hartsville is located at 34°22′10″N, 80°4′51″W (34.369474, -80.080783)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 km² (5.0 mi²). 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.60%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 7,556 people (estimated as 7,429 in 2004), 3,044 households, and 1,935 families residing in the city. The population density was 585.8/km² (1,516.9/mi²). There were 3,499 housing units at an average density of 271.3/km² (702.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.00% White, 42.47% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 3,044 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.6% were married couples living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,063, and the median income for a family was $38,877. Males had a median income of $42,295 versus $22,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,318. About 21.6% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.

Hartsville is the largest town in Darlington County.

Major industries include: Sonoco Products, & Progress Energy.

[edit] History

Hartsville’s Early History

According to the book, Milestones, Hartsville Centennial, many Native American tribes lived in northeastern South Carolina, currently known as the Pee Dee region. The Souian-speaking tribes, Catawba, Waxhaw, Wateree, Cheraw and Pee Dee lived in the area known now as Hartsville, South Carolina. These tribes were plagued by disease brought into the area by European settlers. By approximately 1715, most of the Native American population disappeared. A few of their decedents still live near the Rock Hill area.

First Settlement

Hartsville’s first settlement began around 1760. Hartsville received its name from Captain Thomas E. Hart. Captain Hart, a very influential man, due to his kind and gentle nature, won the hearts and trust of those in the community. He owned most of the land around Hartsville. Though a farmer, he also owned a mercantile business. During the depression of 1837-1838, Captain Hart lost his land and business. Kalmia, the homestead of the Hart family was sold to Captain Hart’s son-in-law, Colonel T.C. Law.

First Businesses

In 1845 the son of Captain Hart, John Lide Hart, bought 491 acres from Colonel Law. John Hart established Hartsville Plantation in the area now considered downtown Hartsville. John Law established a carriage factory, steam powered sawmill, grist mill, store, post office, school and Hartsville Baptist Church. John Hart sold his carriage factory to Caleb Coker in 1855. Caleb Coker bought the factory for his son, James Lide Coker.

Major James Lide Coker

James came to Hartsville in 1857. His plans, to put into practice farming methods learned at Harvard college, were interrupted by the Civil War. James Lide Coker became a Major while in the service. Major Coker returned to Hartsville, injured, and found his plantation in shambles. He was determined to reconstruct his plantation and the once prospering town of Hartsville. In 1894 Major Coker established the Welsh Neck high school which later became Coker College. Major Coker also established a seed company, oil mill, fertilizer plant and the Coker and Company General Store. He also established a bank and the Southern Novelty Company. The Cokers unable to gain the interest of other business owners in Hartsville to build a rail-road spur, decided to build their own. This decision led to great prosperity. In 1899, The Southern Novelty Company and the Carolina Fiber Company merged. This merger created Sonoco Products Company. Sonoco Products Company, now a fortune 500 company with world worldwide interest, employs many Hartsville citizens.

[edit] Shopping in Hartsville

Due to Hartsville's large population of affluent people many of the businesses in Hartsville have designed themselves to target them, sometimes exclusively. As a result Hartsville is an ideal place to find shops that sell items not commonly found elsewhere, just don't expect the downtown specialty shops to be open past 5:00PM. In fact many businesses close their doors at 5:00. Whether this is because of any perceived demographic not shopping during that time, or that in fact the majority of people in Hartsville shop during business hours is a question. The result however is that the downtown shops with the exception of a handful do not cater to the 8-5 employee, nor do many of the other businesses in town. Fortunately for those people there is the 24hour Super Wal-Mart at the edge of town that has many of the same items for half the price.

Burry is the only Bookstore in Hartsville. Their large selection of books is complemented by Hallmark ornaments sold in the store. You can generally find best sellers and new releases at Burry.

[edit] Schools in Hartsville

Hartsville Middle School, Hartsville High School, Thornwell School for the Arts, Carolina Elementary School, West Hartsville Elem., North Hartsville Elem., Washington Street Elem., Coker College, Thomas Hart Academy, Emmanuel Christian School, the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, and several others.

[edit] Dining in Hartsville

There are several excellent restaurants in Hartsville, with the best service surprisingly being at the ethnic restaurants in the area. Fugi, Winn Buffet, Rancho Grande, and Los Tres Hermanos. Another is the Midnight Rooster that caters to the college crowd. The Rooster is a small coffee shop and eatery located in the downtown area. If you have any respiratory issues however getting into the place might be problematic as smoking and coffee seems to be the thing to do outside its doors. Others of note include Shugs Smokehouse, located south of town on Kellytown Road and Bizzels located in the heart of town on Carolina Ave; as well as Mr. B's Seafood Restaurant just outside of town in Lydia. Mr. B's Seafood is known for its premier Sunday buffet, which draws patrons from as many as 30 miles away. Miriam's Kitchen (aka Grigg's) is also known to draw quite a crowd for its version of the after-church buffet. Both of these 'country cookin' establishments offer some of the best dressing in the state of South Carolina.