The Francis Marion Trail Commission is working on the last stages of an American Battlefield Program grant to study the Battle of Black Mingo.

The Francis Marion Trail Commission has received The Honor Award from the South Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and one from the Georgia Chapter for its strategic plan.

Kitty Mescher and George Estes were re-elected vice-chairman and secretary respectively of the Francis Marion Trail Commission during its most recent meeting at Francis Marion University. The commission, with assistance from Francis Marion University personnel and private citizens, has been investigating a Revolutionary War military action believed to have taken place in Lynchburg.

The city and county of Marion celebrated Gen. Francis Marion Memorial Day on the courthouse square in Marion on Feb. 27.

For the first time since Feb. 27 was declared Gen. Francis Marion Memorial Day in South Carolina, Marion city and county, as well as Francis Marion University, paid tribute to the Revolutionary War hero.

The Francis Marion Trail Commission recently had its first meeting of 2009, and the year is off to a good start, exectuive director Bob Barrett said.

To commemorate Gen. Francis Marion Memorial Day, a group has been making plans for a wreath laying and gathering at the General’s monument on the Courthouse Square in the city of Marion. The county’s third-graders will be attending the event, organizers said, adding that the 9 a.m. event is open to the public.

Outgoing Francis Marion Trail Commission chairman Ben Zeigler said the commission’s accomplishments thus far have been a team effort.

The Francis Marion Trail Commission’s Master Plan was revealed Wednesday at the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library in Florence. Bob Barrett, executive director of the commission, said the planning part of the project is complete; now, the commission can move on to the actual development of the Francis Marion Trail.

A master plan of the Francis Marion Trail will be presented at 6:15 p.m. today to the public in the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library on Dargan Street in Florence.

The Francis Marion Trail has taken another step forward following the presentation of the first draft of a master plan. The strategic draft was presented by Dr. Jerry Weitz of The Jaeger Co. to the trail commission at its meeting Thursday in Manning.

Starting more than four years ago the idea or concept to develop tourist attractions based on Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion began to take shape.

Florence attorney Ben Zeigler told members of the Francis Marion Trail Commission on Thursday that he will step down as chairman Jan. 1. Zeigler’s four-year term will be up and he said feels it’s time for new leadership at the helm.