The historical marker reads: “Florence Railroad Company – In 1882 the Florence Railroad Company was chartered and authorized to build and operate a line east of Florence northward to the state border. Right-of-way problems here were solved when J.W. Dillon and his son Thomas offered half-interest in 63 acres if the railroad would use the land, build a depot, and lay out a town. The offer was accepted and the railroad from Pee Dee to the state line was opened in 1888.”

This photo below was taken by Edwin R. Jones of Columbia in August 2006.

Edwin writes: ” The park-like setting is a memorial to the former and future mayors of Dillon and was completed in May of 2004. If you look closely at the top of the clock you can see the town name inscribed.”

Bought in 1993 by the Schafer family, Blenheim’s is now made and bottled in a modern plant next to the South of the Border entertainment complex. There are three variants of Blenheim’s Ginger Ale: Hot (pink cap), Not As Hot (gold cap), and Diet (white cap). All are spicy enough for most, so consider yourself warned!

Read the SCIWAY News article on Blenheim’s Ginger Ale.

The famed South of the Border entertainment complex is located in Hamer, South Carolina, just off I-95 and a stone’s throw away from the North-South Carolina state line. Founded as little more than a beer stand in 1949 by Alan Schafer, South of the Border eventually grew into a large park. The “Mexican” theme originated when Schafer started selling Mexican trinkets after returning from a trip to Mexico. Read the Dillon County article of SCIWAY News, October 2008 issue.