Exploring McBee: A Raw Journey Through SC

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I'm visiting every town in SC - McBee, South Carolina

Timothy French

Jul 22, 2024

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Travel & Events

McBee's history tied to the railroad

  1. Timothy French is visiting McBee, South Carolina, as part of his quest to explore every town center in the state. He begins his tour at the McBee Depot Library and Railroad Museum, highlighting the town's historical connection to the railroad.
  2. The Seaboard Airline Railroad Depot in McBee was built in 1914, marking it as the second station established by the railroad. This depot was crucial for the town's development, as McBee was one of the most successful towns along the Columbia to Cheraw line, which was completed in 1900.
  3. Due to rapid growth, a new depot became a priority by the end of the decade. The depot served both passengers and freight until its closure in 1971. It has since been repurposed as a library and museum, preserving its historical significance.
  4. The tour includes a look at the old caboose and the tracks where people once boarded trains. The area is marked by a bulletin of train schedules and a cool sign for the Railroad Museum and Library, reflecting the town's rich railroad heritage.
  5. Across the street from the depot is a notable blue water tower. The town's layout includes directions to nearby towns like Pageland and Jefferson, which have also been featured in previous videos by Timothy French.
  6. The town of McBee was named after a railroad executive, a common practice for towns developed around railroads. Main Street and other areas in town have various buildings, some of which are empty or repurposed, reflecting the town's evolving landscape.

Exploration of McBee's historical and current landscape

  1. The narrator describes a virtual tour of McBee, South Carolina, highlighting the town's current state with several empty buildings that might be repurposed for businesses. The mention of Main Street Junction suggests a central area of interest in the town.
  2. The town has a significant amount of traffic, particularly from people traveling to the beach from Charlotte, North Carolina. This is due to the main highway passing through McBee, contributing to the noise and activity in the area.
  3. Key landmarks include the local post office, a bank, and U-Haul rental services, indicating essential services available in the town. The Carolina Sand Hills National Wildlife Refuge is located nearby, offering natural attractions.
  4. The area is characterized by gas stations, particularly Exxon, and a Subway restaurant, indicating some commercial activity. The landscape is described as beautiful, with the narrator having explored the area by driving around.
  5. Historically, McBee had only one ambulance shared with the nearby town of Jefferson in 1962, highlighting the limited medical services available at the time. Before the ambulance, transportation to the hospital was via personal vehicles or a hearse from Hartsville.
  6. The narrator reflects on the historical aspect of the town, mentioning old foundations where buildings once stood, sparking thoughts about the town's past as read on Wikipedia.
  7. The tour concludes with a mention of a depot and a store on Main Street, with a sign indicating limited operating hours, suggesting a small-town atmosphere with limited commercial operations.

Challenges and potential of McBee's town center

  1. The town of McBee, South Carolina, faces challenges in attracting visitors, possibly due to limited open shops and a major four-lane road running through it. This road might impact the town's ability to maintain a vibrant shopping area.
  2. There is a suggestion that many businesses in McBee might rely on online sales, as there are not many physical shops open consistently. This could be a strategy to cope with the limited foot traffic in the town center.
  3. The presence of a large, possibly historic, depot is highlighted as a beautiful feature of the town center, suggesting a potential attraction for visitors.
  4. The speaker concludes the virtual tour by encouraging viewers to engage with the content through likes, subscriptions, and shares, indicating a reliance on digital engagement to promote the town.
  5. Overall, the text reflects on the balance between maintaining physical retail spaces and adapting to online sales in a small town setting.