city, Darlington county, northeastern South Carolina, U.S., on Prestwood Lake (an impoundment of Black Creek). The area was first settled in 1760 and grew in the 19th century around Thomas Edward Hart's plantation. Major James L. Coker established a crossroads store (1866) there, built a railroad connection with the Atlantic Coast Line, and eventually founded Coker College (1908). The community developed into an agricultural trade centre and acquired factories making textiles and paper and plastics and building boats. It also became noted for its production of pedigreed seeds. The Coker Experimental Farms were designated a national historic landmark in 1964. Kalmia Gardens of Coker College displays shrubs and trees native to the state. Inc. 1891. Pop. (1990) 8,372; (2000) 7,556.