A Southern 500 Beauty Contest, 1957 | History Of SC Slide Collection

The Southern 500 inspires a weeklong festival of parades and other events. In this 1957 beauty contest, contestant #21 was declared the winner.

Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.

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History of SC Slide Collection / G. South Carolina Towns & Cities | History of SC Slide Collection / Darlington | History of SC Slide Collection

Darlington County Courthouse, Around 1890 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Darlington County Courthouse, Around 1890 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 1

Darlington County Courthouse, photographed around 1890. Darlington was originally part of the Cheraw District, created as an independent county by the state legislature in 1785 when it redrew the...

Darlington Town Square | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Darlington Town Square | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 2

This view of the Darlington town square gives a good view of the fourth courthouse, built in 1903. Darlington was an important cotton market, and farmers are gathered on the courthouse square around...

North Side Of Darlington Town Square, Around 1920 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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North Side Of Darlington Town Square, Around 1920 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 3

View of the north side of the Darlington town square around 1920, showing the City Hall in the background. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.

Aerial View Of Darlington Town Square | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Aerial View Of Darlington Town Square | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

This aerial of the Darlington town square shows the brief juxtaposition of a new courthouse, built in 1969, with the old one (see Darlington Town Square), not yet destroyed. The old city hall was also...

Aerial View Of Darlington, 1965 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Aerial View Of Darlington, 1965 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

Aerial view of Darlington, July 1965, shows the new courthouse standing alone and the empty space formerly occupied by City Hall. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.

Darlington International Raceway, 1985 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Darlington International Raceway, 1985 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

Aerial view of the Darlington International Raceway around 1985. Courtesy of the Darlington County Historical Commission.

Stock Car Races At The Darlington International Speedway | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Stock Car Races At The Darlington International Speedway | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 8

Stock car races at the Darlington International Raceway attract 50,000 to 75,000 fans annually. This van of spectators came for a Southern 500 in the late 1970s. Courtesy of the Darlington County...

Darlington International Raceway, 1952 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Darlington International Raceway, 1952 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 9

Darlington International Raceway, built in 1950, was the first stock car speedway of its kind. The 1.36 mile facility is located 2 miles west of Darlington, on state highways 34 and 151. The Pepsi...