Hartsville, South Carolina

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Coordinates: 34°22′10″N 80°4′51″W / 34.36944, -80.08083
Hartsville, South Carolina
Location of Hartsville, South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Darlington
Area
- Total	5.0 sq mi (13.0 km²)
- Land	5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Elevation	217 ft (66 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	7,556
- Density	1,516.9/sq mi (585.7/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	29550-29551
Area code(s)	843
FIPS code	45-32560^[1]
GNIS feature ID	1231367^[2]

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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 Community
4 History
5 Shopping in Hartsville
6 Schools in Hartsville
7 Dining in Hartsville
8 Points of interest
9 References
10 External links

[edit] Geography

Hartsville is located at 34°22′10″N, 80°4′51″W (34.369474, -80.080783)^[3].

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^[1] of 2000, there were 7,556 people, 3,044 households, and 1,935 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,517 people per square mile (585.8/km²). There were 3,499 housing units at an average density of 702.4/sq mi (271.3/km²). 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.

[edit] Community

Hartsville consists of three main areas, North Hartsville, West Hartsville and the Downtown area. The city has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years adding several large retailers, and sub-divisions.

Major industries include: Sonoco Products, Coker College, & 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. Most of the businessess in the downtown area are well established, many of them have a third generation owner. A great deal of effort has been made to make the downtown area attractive to shoppers.

There is a 24-hour Super Wal-Mart just out of town along with a Lowe's Home Improvement Store. There is also a BI-LO in the downtown area.

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

[edit] Public Elementary Schools

Thornwell School for the Arts, Carolina Elementary School, West Hartsville Elementary, North Hartsville Elementary, and Washington Street Elementary.

[edit] Public Secondary Schools

Hartsville Jr. High School
Hartsville High School
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

[edit] Private and Religious Schools

Thomas Hart Academy (private) and Emmanuel Christian School (Baptist).

[edit] Higher Learning

Coker College, a four year baccalaureate granting institution, contributes millions of dollars to the local economy annually and is the largest college in all of Darlington County as well as one of the top-rated schools in the Southern United States.

[edit] Dining in Hartsville

There are several restaurants in Hartsville, with the better dining being at the ethnic restaurants in the area. Fuji, Winn Buffet, Rancho Grande, and Los Tres Hermanos. Another is the Midnight Rooster. The Rooster is a small coffee shop and Courtyard eatery located in the downtown area that often has live music. Others of note include Shug's Smokehouse, located west 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 has a Sunday buffet, which draws patrons from nearby areas. 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 are 'country cookin' establishments. In addition, there is also Applebee's and Ruth's Drive In, a local staple. Hartsville is also home to the last remaining franchise of the Yogi Bear's Honey Fried Chicken chain. Also Hartsville has one of the best Sonic Drive Thru's in the country.