The Center for a Better South
This old nightclub in rural Lane, S.C., in southern Williamsburg County has a large tree growing through its awning. Photographer Linda W. Brown of nearby Kingstree observes that in many towns, the tree would have been cut down to make way for business, but the two co-exist in Lane, once was a thriving railroad town where few businesses remain today.
Copyrighted photo taken in June 2014, by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.
Prospect Grocery on S.C. Highway 341 near Johnsonville, S.C., rests in Sunday-afternoon quiet, but is busy during the week.
The Prospect community is famous for “The Neck” Christmas Parade and is infamous as the spot where Pee Wee Gaskins buried a number of his murder victims, according to photographer and retired editor Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C.
Johnsonville, population about 1,400, is in the southeastern tip of Florence County, which 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.
Copyrighted photo taken in August 2014 by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.
Photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C., observes that gourds are used as nesting boxes from purple martins and are a common sight in the rural South. This photo was taken near a packhouse in rural Florence County not far from Johnsonville.
Florence Countyhad 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.
Copyrighted photo taken in August 2014 by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.
Although tobacco no longer dominates the agricultural landscape in the South Carolina’s Pee Dee region, there are still a number of acres of the golden leaf planted, photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree writes.
This field, ready for harvest, is located in the Vox community of rural Florence County.
Florence Countyhad 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.
Copyrighted photo taken in August 2014 by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.
An old country store on the side of the road in eastern Clarendon County still proclaims the message that “JESUS SAVES.” But as photographer Linda W. Brown of nearby Kingstree, S.C., observes, the Almighty apparently was not able to save the store from closing.
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. Some other statistics:
Photo taken by Linda W. Brown. Copyrighted; all rights reserved.
Ripe grain spreads out in front of this rural Clarendon County church, reminding us that we need both bread and faith to survive, writes photographer Linda W. Brown of nearby Kingstree, S.C.
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. Some other statistics:
Photo taken March 2013 by Linda W. Brown. Copyrighted; all rights reserved.
A herd of cows grazes placidly spring pastureland in 2013 in rural Clarendon County, S.C., writes photographer Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C.
Photo by Linda W. Brown taken March 2013. All rights reserved.
The southern Williamsburg County town of Lane, S.C., once was a thriving railroad town, photographer and retired editor Linda W. Brown of Kingstree writes. Now, however, few businesses remain. A number of store fronts are open to the elements; others are boarded up.
Copyrighted photo taken in June 2014, by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.
This old house in the Cedar Swamp community of Williamsburg County, S.C., has served many purposes over the years, writes photographer and retired editor Linda W. Brown of Kingstree, S.C.
The building started out as a farmhouse but in later years it was a venue for community parties and dances. Now it is slowly being dismantled.
Copyrighted photo taken June 29, 2014, by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.
The back portion and the chimney are all that are left of this farmhouse that once stood on Cedar Swamp Road in Williamsburg County, S.C., photographer and retired editor Linda W. Brown writes.
Copyrighted photo taken June 29, 2014, by Linda W. Brown. All rights reserved.