“H” is for Highway 301. Construction of this major U.S. Highway began in 1932 during the Great Depression, when the federal government began taking over the maintenance, and construction of many state roads. The route began at Baltimore, Maryland, and ended at Sarasota, Florida. It crossed through many towns in eastern South Carolina—Dillon, Latta, Florence, Manning, Olanta, Sumterton, Bamberg, and Allendale. The highway’s many nicknames are an indication that it was popular among tourists: “Tobacco Trail,” “Highway of Southern Hospitality,” “Tourist Highway,” “Shortest Route from Maine to Florida,” and “The Washington-Florida Short Route.” The highway created a demand for restaurants and motels in South Carolina. Among them were the Santee Motor Company in Manning and the Cotton Patch Motel in Bamberg. The building of Interstate 95 caused the tourist traffic to decline on Highway 301.
Highway 301
