Linda W. Brown – Page 5 – Building a better South

November 6, 2014November 2, 2014

“Carolina snow,” Florence County, S.C.

Fields across South Carolina are white with “Carolina snow” as the season’s cotton harvest is underway. This field, captured by photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C., near Sardis in rural Florence County, S.C.

Florence County had 137,948 people, according to a 2012 Census estimate. Its poverty rate — higher in the rural areas than the county seat of Florence, averaged 19.4 percent in 2010.

QuickFacts about Florence County .

November 4, 2014November 2, 2014

Bales of hay, Florence County, S.C.

Recently-baled hay is ready for the winter in this field west of the small town of Scranton in rural Florence County, S.C.

Florence County had 137,948 people, according to a 2012 Census estimate. Its poverty rate — higher in the rural areas than the county seat of Florence, averaged 19.4 percent in 2010.

QuickFacts about Florence County .

November 2, 2014

Autumn, Florence County, S.C.

Barn in Florence County, S.C., overlooks soybean field.

This rusting, old barn overlooking a soybean field looks like autumn to photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C. The barn is in rural Florence County.

Florence County had 137,948 people, according to a 2012 Census estimate. Its poverty rate — higher in the rural areas than the county seat of Florence, averaged 19.4 percent in 2010.

QuickFacts about Florence County .

October 29, 2014October 28, 2014

Forgotten house, Florence County, S.C.

Autumned-browned weeds almost obscure this old house on Kirby Road in rural Florence County, S.C., writes photographer Linda W. Brown of nearby Kingstree.

Florence County had 137,948 people, according to a 2012 Census estimate. Its poverty rate — higher in the rural areas than the county seat of Florence, averaged 19.4 percent in 2010.

QuickFacts about Florence County and the City of Florence.

October 27, 2014October 28, 2014

Signs, Florence County, S.C.

Photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C. sent along this picture recently from nearby rural Florence County that shows an old store full of signs from all times — plus a couple of vintage gas pumps.

September 21, 2014September 21, 2014

Shed, Williamsburg County, S.C.

An equipment shed sits on the back of a plowed field in rural Williamsburg County. writes Kingstree, S.C., photographer Linda W. Brown.

Williamsburg County, which is about 75 miles north of Charleston, S.C., has a population of just under 34,000 people. Population peaked in 1950 at 43,807, but has dropped slowly since then.

Williamsburg County on Wikipedia.

QuickFacts from the U.S. Census.

September 19, 2014September 20, 2014

Grain bins, Clarendon County, S.C.

Grain bins in rural Clarendon County, S.C.

Look around rural areas of South Carolina and you’re almost more likely to see grain bins than structures like tobacco barns, writes photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C.

These bins are in rural Clarendon County, which has 34,357 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 population estimate. About half of the county’s residence are white; the other half are black.

More QuickFacts from the U.S. Census.

September 11, 2014

Country church, Clarendon County, S.C.

This simple country church sits among the pines in rural Clarendon County, S.C. Kingstree photographer Linda W. Brown writes, “There is a newer church building across the road, so this particular building may be used for other functions now, but I’m glad that it’s still standing.”

Clarendon County has 34,357 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 population estimate. About half of the county’s residence are white; the other half are black.

More QuickFacts from the U.S. Census.

September 7, 2014

Empty porch, Kingstree, S.C.

This chair sits on the porch of a house in the Kingstree, S.C., neighborhood of the photographer, Linda W. Brown. She writes, “Although no one has lived in the house for several years and the house is in serious decline, the chair appears to be waiting for someone to come along and ‘set a spell.'”

Kingstree is the county seat for Williamsburg County, which is about 75 miles north of Charleston, S.C. Just under 34,000 people live in the county. Population peaked in 1950 at 43,807, but has dropped slowly since then.

About two-thirds of county residents are black, with almost all of those remaining being white. Only 2 percent of those in the county are of Hispanic descent. Some 32.8 percent of residents live in poverty, according to the Census. Of the county’s 1,921 firms, 36.5 percent are black-owned — a percentage that is three times South Carolina’s average.

Williamsburg County on Wikipedia.

QuickFacts from the U.S. Census.

September 5, 2014September 4, 2014

In the beginning, Williamsburg County, S.C.

Genesis store, Williamsburg County, S.C.

Overlooking nothing but fields, the Genesis Variety Store & Diner in northeastern Williamsburg County, S.C., posts its menu beside the front door, with breakfast including grits, country ham sandwiches and waffles, writes Kingstree photographer Linda W. Brown. Later in the day, the store offers barbecue, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and onion rings among its tasty offerings.

More on Williamsburg County.