South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

Snow's Island, Florence County (Address Restricted)
S1081772101701 S1081772101702
Snow's Island
Campsite
Confluence of the
Great Pee Dee River
and Lynch's Creek

Significant as a Revolutionary War campsite, Snow’s Island served as headquarters, supply depot, and retreat for General Francis Marion’s partisan forces during the crucial winter of 1780-81. Snow’s Island is the most famous of wilderness retreats of General Marion, the man whose hit-and-run tactics and crafty elusiveness earned him the nickname “Swamp Fox.” General Marion was one of three partisan generals who helped turn the tide against the British in the South. The ideal location of Snow’s Island afforded the launching of numerous harassment and interception raids on British outposts as well as a major assault upon the Georgetown garrison conducted by the combined forces of General Marion and Colonel “Light Horse” Harry Lee on January 25, 1781. Despite extensive measures taken by Marion to insulate the island from enemy attack, continued tactical successes of the partisan forces convinced the British command that destruction of the camp was essential. In late March of 1781, while Marion repelled and pursued one British attack force, another under Colonel Doyle penetrated to Snow’s Island and destroyed the camp. Marion never used Snow’s Island again after Doyle’s raid. Listed in the National Register March 14, 1973; Designated a National Historic Landmark December 2, 1974.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

Images and texts on these pages are intended for research or educational use. Please read our statement on use and reproduction for further information on how to obtain a photocopy or how to cite an item.


Images provided by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.