Tourist Camp Added Accommodations for Visitors in 1929

As more and more Northerners spent a portion of the winter in Kingstree, and as some tourists began coming through Kingstree all year long, many residents began to open their homes as rooming houses to accommodate them. Additionally, in 1929, S.D. Guyton began building cabins on a tract of land at the northern boundary of the town. The Charleston News & Courier ran a story about Kingstree's preparations for the upcoming Winter Season on September 13, 1929.

The King's Tree Inn would eventually take over the location of the Dixie Tourist Camp, later 

the Dixie Cabins.

"S.D. Guyton has opened up a tourist camp at the northern boundary of the town where the coastal highway enters the alternative route through Kingstree via Fourth Street. This is called the Dixie Tourist Camp. It lies between the coastal highway and Fourth Street, a good part of it including a grove of oaks and hickories. Three acres have been included so far, and three cabins have been constructed. There will be thirty or forty in all when the camp is completed. Lights and water and modern conveniences are to be had.

The tree trunks have been white-washed, and the undergrowth cleared out. Already the cabins have been claimed by tourists who may be seen going about their business of making themselves comfortable.

The Poplars is no longer standing but was located on the corner of Kelley Street 

and Second Avenue.

Source: Williamsburgh Historical Museum

That Kingstree will offer the strangers within her gates all the hospitality they may desire this winter is evidenced by the number of homes opening their doors to the public as it rolls through. The fad for naming these places of accommodation is increasing. Electric and other newly painted signs may be seen here and there announcing such names as The Pines, Wildwood, Five Oaks, The Flag, The Poplars, The Columns, and others that simply announce rooms to be had.

The Columns still stands on Academy Street. It has been restored and is

today a private residence.

The tourist traffic has continued in a fairly satisfactory manner all through the summer. Some are even now spending several days in town, and foreign cars are to be seen every day passing through.

Note: The Coastal Highway is now US52, but was then Highway 17. Fourth Street is now Third Avenue. Also, does anyone know where The Pines, Wildwood, Five Oaks, or The Flag were located?