• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE
  • Black History

Florence Rail Trail

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Florence County / Florence Rail Trail

The Florence Rail Trail is a planned greenspace throughout the city of Florence that links together nature, culture, and historic sites. This greenway is part of Florence City Council’s vision of connecting its citizens to nature, to their city, and to each other. It is also a great way to get around town without a car.

Rail Trail Florence

Jo Bering of Florence, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

South Carolina is steeped in rich railroad history. Examples such as the first regularly-scheduled steam engine named Best Friend of Charleston, leaving from Charleston and another abandoned line, which originally traveled from Branchville to North Augusta, that became America’s first rail trail that can still be hiked today in the Hitchcock Woods in Aiken. There are numerous “rail trails” scattered throughout the state. These trails came about when abandoned railroad tracks were repurposed into hiking and biking trails by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization working to create a nationwide network of connecting lines and corridors. There are currently 1,600 rail trails supported by this conservancy nationwide.

Florence Rail Trail

Robert B Davis of Florence, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Some areas that the trail goes by are Jefferies Creek Park and Freedom Florence Recreational Park. Portions of the Palmetto Trail share this example of park repurposing as well. The length of the trail stretches two miles and is a great place to bring the entire family, even dogs are welcome.

Florence Rail Trail

Ronnie Hucks of Florence, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on the Florence Rail Trail


Photographer RB Davis, who shares a photo above, tells us that “Florence’s railroads were busy during the Civil War transporting troops, artillery, and supplies as they made their way through Florence and onto Richmond, Charleston, and Savannah. The railroad carried wounded Confederate soldiers to Florence’s Wayside Hospital, and brought captured Union soldiers to the infamous Florence Stockade, which has been incorporated into the Rail Trail System and is under reconstruction as a historical location.”

Photographer Ronnie Hucks, who shares the last photo on this page, says: “Took this photograph early on a Sunday morning after a rare snow fall the night before. Didn’t expect to see anyone out in the cold; but spotted this dedicated man and his dog braving the elements on the Florence Rail Trail.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Florence Rail Trail

Where is Florence Rail Trail located?
Address: Old Ebenezer Road, Florence, SC 29501
GPS Coordinates: 34.176388,-79.849573
Website: http://www.cityofflorence.us/docs/documents-home/42850cofTrailMap-b.pdf
What else should I see?
Florence Veterans Park 1.6 miles
Young Farm 2.2 miles
Pisgah United Methodist Church 4 miles
Jeffries Creek Park 5.2 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Florence Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Parks
  • See other South Carolina Trains & Depots
    Florence Rail Trail Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $3,160 of $12,500
    105 Donations
    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Jeffries Creek Park BridgeJeffries Creek Park Florence DepotAtlantic Coast Line Depot Veterans ParkFlorence Veterans Park Eddie Floyd Tennis CenterDr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center James Allen PlazaJames Allen Plaza

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $3,160 of $12,500
    105 Donations
    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved