History

The Black River flows through the Coastal Plain of South Carolina. The headwaters originate in Lee County south of the town of Bishopville and the river flows southeasterly through the heart of Williamsburg County on its 150 mile trek to the Atlantic Ocean. The Native Americans who occupied the area before the colonial era called the river the Wee Nee, and several businesses in the area still use this name.

Landscape & Wildlife

Black River is a free-flowing black water river shouldered by a ribbon of dense, undisturbed swamp forest. This ribbon of wild and undeveloped land provides high quality habitat for a variety of plant and animal species including some rare, threatened and endangered species such as American chaffseed and the swallow-tailed kite. 

The water has a dark inky black color due to chemicals known as tannins leached from the cypress trees and the surrounding swamps. This river has many curves, white sandbars, and seldom flows over 5 miles per hour. It draws fisherman from all over for its bounty of:

• Bream
• Catfish
• Largemouth bass
• Red breasted sunfish

It is also an excellent river for leisurely float trips for wildlife watching or nature photography.

Scenic River Program

In 1999, the Williamsburg Hometown Chamber Quality of Place Committee requested that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) consider the Black River for inclusion in the State Scenic River Program. 

In the Spring of 2000, DNR staff initiated an eligibility study of the Black River in Clarendon, Williamsburg and Georgetown Counties. Public meetings held in October 2000 revealed significant local interest for conserving the unique and outstanding resources of the Black River. 

The Williamsburg, Clarendon and Georgetown County Councils adopted resolutions of support for the designation.

Longest State Scenic River

In June 2001, a 75-mile segment of the Black River became South Carolina’s seventh and longest State Scenic River. This scenic river segment begins at County Road Number 40 in Clarendon County, and extends southeast through Williamsburg County to Pea House Landing at the end of County Road Number 38 in Georgetown County, South Carolina.

The residents of Williamsburg County are proud to have South Carolina’s longest State Designated Scenic river running through the heart of their community and are dedicated to its preservation and protection for future generations.

The Kingstree Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1982. The district contains forty-eight properties situated along Main Street, Academy Street, and Hampton Street in the commercial area of downtown Kingstree, SC including the:

• Courthouse
• Numerous commercial buildings
• Public library
• Railroad station

Architecture

With the exception of the courthouse, most of the buildings in the district were built between 1900 and 1920 when Kingstree enjoyed prosperity as a retail and tobacco marketing center of Williamsburg County. The majority of the buildings in the district are a visible record of this twenty-year growth and the historic fabric of the area remains substantially intact.

The buildings in the district are a fine collection of nineteenth-century vernacular commercial architecture. Details present on most of the district’s buildings include:

• Arched doorways and windows
• Cast iron columns and pilasters
• Decorative or corbelled brickwork
• Pressed tin interior ceilings

County Courthouse

The Williamsburg County Courthouse, built circa 1823, and designed by Robert Mills, is a fine example of Roman neoclassical design with its raised first floor, pediment with lunette, and Doric columns. In 1953/1954 the courthouse underwent substantial remodeling on the exterior and interior, though it still reflects much of Mill’s original design.

This plantation home of James Witherspoon (who lived from 1700 to 1768) was built in Williamsburg Township in 1749. After the death of James Witherspoon, Thorntree became the home of Gavin Witherspoon, the son of James and Elizabeth Witherspoon.

In early August of 1780, during the Revolution, Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton encamped at the plantation south of the lower bridge on Black River with 100 British dragoons and a large number of Tories under Colonel Elias Ball.

The house was moved into Town limits in early 1970’s (for fire protection) and beautifully restored. Owned by Williamsburg Historical Society and used for special occasions, programs and exhibits. 

Open by Appointment Only

Thorntree House is open for visitors by appointment only. Please call the Williamsburg Historical Museum at 843-355-3306 to schedule an appointment.