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General Francis Marion Statue

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SC Picture Project / Florence County / General Francis Marion Statue

Venter’s Landing on the Lynches River in Johnsonville is home to this seven-foot-tall bronze statue of General Francis Marion. It was at this very spot – once called Witherspoon’s Ferry – that Marion, known as the Swamp Fox, received his commission to command the Williamsburgh (now spelled Williamsburg) Militia during the Revolutionary War.

Francis Marion Bronze

Linda Brown of Kingstree, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

Legend has it that Marion received his famous moniker from British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who expressed fear and frustration over his inability to capture the “old swamp fox.” General Marion earned his revered place in South Carolina history for outsmarting the British and successfully leading his militia troops in guerrilla warfare following the 1780 Siege of Charleston. Marion was able to elude the British by traveling undetected through the South Carolina swamps and forests.

Francis Marion Johnsonville

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

The statue sits atop a twelve-foot-tall base and was revealed in a May 18, 2013 ceremony. Its sculptor, Florence-based artist Alex Palkovich, also created the three-columned obelisk with a bronze bald eagle apex in Florence Veterans Park. The area surrounding the Francis Marion sculpture at Venter’s Landing is now deemed a Veterans Park as well.

Francis Marion Statue

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

 

The statue was purchased by private donors for $100,000. It stands next to a bridge on the side of the highway. General Marion has memorials throughout our state, and a Swamp Fox mural adorns the city of Manning. In addition, numerous South Carolina places are named for him, including the City of Marion, the County of Marion, Francis Marion University in Florence, Marion Square in Charleston, and Francis Marion National Forest and Lake Marion, both of which extend throughout multiple counties.

Reflections on the General Francis Marion Statue


Contributor Linda Brown of Kingstree shares, “I find the Alex Palkovitch statue of Francis Marion intriguing because if you view it from different angles, both General Marion and Ball, his horse, look different and there is a different ‘feel’ to the statue from various angles. Venters Landing, formerly Witherspoon Ferry, was the place that Marion took command of the Williamsburgh Milita on August 17, 1780.”

Josh Dukes of Charleston says: “I’m originally from Johnsonville. Johnsonville mayor Steve Dukes is my dad and he and others worked with Alex Palkovitch on making the statue a reality. At the time of the statue’s unveiling, I spoke with Alex about the design he chose for both Marion and his horse, Ball. One interesting fact is Ball has a wild, almost crazed look in his eyes. Ball represents the times Marion lived in – wild and out of control with revolution and uncertainty. Marion is calm and holding the reigns, taking control of the turmoil and chaos of his surroundings. Brilliant work!”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: General Francis Marion Statue

Where is General Francis Marion Statue located?
Address: South Carolina Highway 41/51, Johnsonville, SC 29555
GPS Coordinates: 33.838499,-79.447995
What else should I see?
Lynches River 0 mile
Johnsonville City Hall 2.3 miles
Ebenezer United Methodist Church 7.6 miles
Snow Lake Landing 8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Johnsonville Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Military
  • See other South Carolina Parks
  • See other South Carolina Revolutionary War
  • See other South Carolina Roadside Oddities
  • See other South Carolina SC Artists
    General Francis Marion Statue Map

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    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.

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    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.

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