The statue of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion that stands near the entrance to Odell Venters Landing is now complete with a black granite plaque giving the historical significance of the site near Lynches River.

Erected in 2013, the bronze statue was sculpted by Florence artist Alex Palkovich and sits atop a 12-foot tall base.  Several historical organizations and private donors created a fund to pay for the statue.  There was not enough money left in the fund to pay for the plaque included in the original design.  In 2020, the City of Johnsonville made a request for $500 in Accommodations Tax funding from Florence County so the granite plaque could be added to complete the statue.

Odell Venters Landing is located just North of Johnsonville on Highway 41/51.  The City of Johnsonville owns the property on Lynches River which is on the site of the former Witherspoon’s Ferry.

Click the headline to see the inscription on the plaque

The City of Johnsonville is trying to establish a bus route that will run from Florence to Johnsonville and back three times daily.

The service will be managed by the Pee Dee Regional Transit Authority (PDRTA) and also will make stops in Pamplico and other places along the route if established.

This will be a great service to our citizens that work, shop or have medical appointments in Florence. It also could benefit those that work in Johnsonville and live in Pamplico and Florence. 

A long-term goal of the proposed project is to establish a loop through Johnsonville, Lake City, Coward and then back to Florence. 

“This much-needed service could become a reality with the help of large and small employers in the Johnsonville and Pamplico areas,” said Don Strickland, Executive Director of PDRTA.  “We need to find a few ‘stakeholders’ who are willing to help financially so we can offer this fare-free service.”

A meeting with potential stakeholders is planned for Thursday, April 22 at the Shady Rest at Noon.  Any interested businesses or organizations can contact David Mace with the City of Johnsonville for more information.  Call 843-625-1667 or 843-386-2069. 

• Repair, reconstruct, or replace single-family owner-occupied homes
• Buyout single-family owner-occupied homes located in a floodplain
• Repair single-family rental units for affordable housing