Kingstree: Crown of the Black River

This week we're going to look more at history-in-the-making than at our historic past. For three days, December 10, 11, and 12, a team of five professional community planners and designers met with Kingstree residents and toured the town before coming up with a roadmap for the town's way forward. As part of this process, they crafted a branding statement to help us better tell the story of the community. At the presentation on December 12, Ben Muldrow, the world's leading expert on community branding, recited the branding statement. Reading it here will not match hearing the words spoken aloud, so I urge you to view the whole presentation here. But, if you only have time to listen to Ben's recitation, it starts at 11:22 in the presentation.

Black River from the site of the proposed Black River Landing.

Here is the statement:

We are Kingstree, South Carolina. For nearly 300 years, we have been crafting a colorful story, a story set on the banks of the Black River. In the shade of our grand white pine, by the fields filled with indigo, ours is a story of discovery. As the state's oldest inland community, our majestic Black River opened a corridor of exploration to South Carolina's Midlands. 

Ours is a story of excellence, as the strength and trueness of a lone white pine earned it the mark of the King. The broad point symbolized a royal protection and an intention of greatness.

The broad point is used to tell part of Kingstree's story.

Source: Ben Muldrow, Arnett Muldrow & Associates

Ours is a story of growth, as agriculture has always been in our blood. We are connected to the rich lands whose bounty provides us prosperity and whose beauty provides us relaxation.

Cotton has long been a staple crop in the area.

Ours is a story of humble greatness. Our men and women have become accomplished athletes, singers, statesmen, and even a Nobel Prize winner. Kingstree has truly been marked for excellence.

Dr. Joseph L. Goldstein, 1985 Nobel Laureate in Medicine.

Source: University of Texas

And though our story is rich with history, it is still being written. Entrepreneurs are opening new businesses. Investors are preserving our historic buildings.

Attorney Cezar McKnight recently renovated this building on Mill Street for his law office.

In our historic downtown, music fills the streets, and they come to life with events where the entire community gathers.

Community members dance with the band at one of last summer's Kigstree Live events.

And on the banks of our river, where the story began, we are starting a new chapter at Black River Landing.

A computer assisted rendering of what Black River Landing could look like.

Source: Randy Wilson, Community Design Solutions

Inside the existing building targeted to become The Shed at Black River Landing.

Source: Randy Wilson

We invite you to rediscover this amazing place we call home–this place where our rich history combines with our warm spirit to create an experience, much like our name, that is one of a kind.

Welcome to Kingstree: the Crown of the Black River.