• 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

Kingstree

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Williamsburg County / Kingstree

The Town of Kingstree, located in Williamsburg County, was settled by Europeans in 1732 as part of royal governor Robert Johnson’s plan to create townships along the coastal plain to afford protection for the coast. The settlement along the Black River was named Williamsburg (also spelled Williamsburgh) Township for King William III, known as William of Orange, and in 1734 it became a part of Prince Frederick’s Parish. In 1804 the parish was organized as Williamsburg District, and Williamsburg Township served as the district seat. The district then became Williamsburg County in 1868, two years after the town was incorporated as King’s Tree, now the county seat.

Kingstree Marker

Linda Brown of Kingstree, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

According to legend, “Kingstree” earned its sobriquet when early explorers discovered a large white pine tree and marked it with an arrow for future use as a mast for the Royal Navy. A nearby settlement took on the appellation, and the name officially became one word in 1886.

The marker mounted in the boulder, seen above, was placed at the entrance to Kingstree in 1923 by the Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is said to stand at the site of the famed white pine. The marker reads, “Here stood The King’s Tree, a tall white pine, the basal point for Williamsburg Township, first settled November 25, 1732, officially surveyed March 18, 1736.”

Reflections on Kingstree


Contributor Linda Brown says, “This marker is supposed to be on the site of the original King’s Tree. The story says that a large white pine with a diameter of 24 inches greeted settlers to the area from the banks of Black River. It has been designated as a King’s Tree by a large arrow to denote its royal claim. These trees were to be used for masts for the Royal Navy. White pines are not commonly found in this area and there are many who raise an eyebrow to this claim. However, the area became known as the King’s Tree and was later incorporated as Kingstree. The marker itself was placed by the Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter of the DAR in 1923.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Kingstree

Where is Kingstree located?
Address: West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556
GPS Coordinates: 33.662789,-79.834576
What else should I see?
Kingstree Post Office 0.3 mile
Williamsburg County Courthouse 0.3 mile
Kingstree Pig Pickin' Festival 0.4 mile
Cooper Brothers Gin 0.4 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Kingstree Historic Sites
    Kingstree 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!

    $ 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

    Black River GeorgetownBlack River Default ThumbnailBattle of Kingstree Default ThumbnailKingstree United Methodist Church Default ThumbnailSt. Ann Catholic Church Default ThumbnailKingstree First Baptist Church

    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.

    $ 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

    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.

    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 © 2023 · All Rights Reserved