Bennettsville is a quiet community anchored by a historic town center
At the heart of Marlboro County, and just south of the North Carolina state line, Bennettsville’s roots are deep, and its soil prosperous. The town was established in 1819 and rapidly became an agricultural hub, earning its designation as South Carolina’s first GREAT Town for rural economic achievements. Its booming farming industry yielded the development of intricate, 19th-century houses and public buildings. Marlboro County still has a prominent farming industry, and Bennettsville retains much of its original architecture, which is maintained by local businesses and organizations. The town’s population of around 7,500 residents enjoys access to Lake Wallace, small businesses and quiet, rural living.
Historic architecture and 20th century ranch-style homes
While Bennettsville features several historic homes, including late 19th-century Queen Anne and Colonial-style houses, they do not often go up for sale. The community’s early 20th-century bungalows and cottages pop up on the market a bit more often, and when they do, they typically need a few repairs. Buyers will mainly find mid-to-late 20th-century ranch-style houses with a couple of bedrooms and at least 1,000 square feet. New construction is limited. Homes near the heart of town often sit on moderately wooded lots measuring a quarter to a half-acre. Some properties cover at least five acres on the community’s outskirts. The median housing price for a home in Bennettsville is around $135,000.
Marlboro County High School offers various educational programs
Marlboro County School District scores an overall C-minus on Niche and serves over 3,400 students. Bennettsville Primary School serves pre-kindergarten through third-grade students and receives a C, and fourth through fifth-grade students attend Bennettsville Intermediate School, which has a D-plus. Blenheim Middle School of Discovery scores a C-minus, and Marlboro County High School has a C. The high school offers various career and technical education courses, from agriculture science and machine technology to cosmetology and turf and lawn management. Bennettsville is also home to Marlboro Academy, a private college preparatory school with a B on Niche.
Public parks and trips to the lake
The city of Bennettsville manages several public parks and green spaces with sports facilities, playgrounds and picnic pavilions. Smith Park features a basketball court, a baseball field, playscapes and a couple of picnic areas. Marlboro Street Tennis Park has six tennis courts and several ball fields, and Hodges Park offers plenty of green space and play areas. Lake Paul Wallace, located directly north of downtown, sprawls across 600 acres and has designated swimming and boating areas. A 1.5-mile paved path cuts through the lake, offering panoramic water views. Folks often cast a line from the lake’s grassy banks. The Marlboro Country Club operates a semi-private, municipal golf course open to the public. The club features a 20-stall driving range, a putting green and a chipping area.
History is spotlit at the Bennettsville Historic District
The Bennettsville Historic District comprises well-maintained buildings dating back to the 19th to early 20th centuries. The Marlboro County Courthouse towers at the heart of the district, fronted by symmetrically placed palms and surrounded by more tightly packed, century-old buildings. Structures like the McCall Block and the Kinney Buildings are defined by their ornate architecture and kept alive by locally owned businesses or churches. Pawn shops, antique stores and restaurants line Broad and Main Street, including Eddie’s Pawn Shop and Reassigned Blessings. Magnolia on Main, a popular restaurant in the historic district, serves breakfast sandwiches and lunch specials. Gas stations, chain restaurants and various service businesses line U.S. Route 15, just south of the historic district. Locals grab groceries at Food Lion or Carlie C’s IGA off Route 15.
Holiday celebrations and live music
Bennettsville features various year-round events, including holiday celebrations and small concerts. Folks enjoy the Bennettsville Bingo Bonanza or Sunset Serenade at the Bennettsville Community Center. The city also hosts an annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration, with food trucks, live performances, water slides and games for kids. Some other popular holiday celebrations include an egg hunt on the day before Easter and the Scarecrow Festival in November.
Navigating Marlboro County
While the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority offers a fixed-route bus route known as MARTi, locals typically depend on cars to get around. U.S. Route 15 cuts through the community and over the North Carolina state line to Laurinburg, about 18 miles northeast. Commuters also have access to State Highways 9 and 38, and Florence is about 38 miles away. Marlboro Medical Complex offers an urgent care facility, but Scotland Memorial Hospital is about 17 miles away. Florence Regional Airport is about 40 miles away.
Written By
Brennen Martin
