Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Spartanburg County, South Carolina
From a rude beginning in 1816 near Cross Keys on the Tyger River, the textile industry in Spartanburg
County grew by fits and starts over the past two centuries. The early mills up
until the late 1800s were built on the rivers and larger streams. As steam replaced
water power, mills moved away from the river banks and could actually be located in
towns high and dry away from possible floods. A huge "freshet" or flood in 1903 swept
away the mill at Pacolet. The map to the right shows the approximate location of the
old and newer mills in the county.
Textile Town, a project of the Hub City Writers Group is "One part historical narrative, one part scrapbook, one part
encyclopedia, and one part oral history” a quote from the Introduction. A distinguished group of historians and
writers was assembled and each tells a story. A fascinating read with 250 historic photographs placed throughout
350 large 9 x 12 inch pages – all for only $20.00.
Visit the web site and order a copy:
http://www.hubcity.org/history/textile-town.html
Source:
Teter, Betsy Wakefield, editor. 2002. Textile Town Spartanburg County, South Carolina Hub City Writers Project,
Spartanburg ISBN 1-891885-28-6
http://www.hubcity.org/history/textile-town.html Accessed April 2, 2008.
Tucapau Mills
Peter Metzke, Melbourne, Australia has created a very nice story about the Tucapau Mills, Startex, Spartanburg
County.
http://home.iprimus.com.au/metzke/tucapau.html
From a rude beginning in 1816 near Cross Keys on the Tyger River, the textile industry in Spartanburg
County grew by fits and starts over the past two centuries. The early mills up
until the late 1800s were built on the rivers and larger streams. As steam replaced
water power, mills moved away from the river banks and could actually be located in
towns high and dry away from possible floods. A huge "freshet" or flood in 1903 swept
away the mill at Pacolet. The map to the right shows the approximate location of the
old and newer mills in the county.
Textile Town, a project of the Hub City Writers Group is "One part historical narrative, one part scrapbook, one part
encyclopedia, and one part oral history” a quote from the Introduction. A distinguished group of historians and
writers was assembled and each tells a story. A fascinating read with 250 historic photographs placed throughout
350 large 9 x 12 inch pages – all for only $20.00.
Visit the web site and order a copy:
http://www.hubcity.org/history/textile-town.html
Source:
Teter, Betsy Wakefield, editor. 2002. Textile Town Spartanburg County, South Carolina Hub City Writers Project,
Spartanburg ISBN 1-891885-28-6
http://www.hubcity.org/history/textile-town.html Accessed April 2, 2008.
Tucapau Mills
Peter Metzke, Melbourne, Australia has created a very nice story about the Tucapau Mills, Startex, Spartanburg
County.
http://home.iprimus.com.au/metzke/tucapau.html
Right: Textile Mills of Spartanburg
County
Joann Mitchell Brasington
Source: Textile Town
County
Joann Mitchell Brasington
Source: Textile Town
Pacolet Manufacturing Company, Spartan Mills
Pacolet No. 1 was one of the early mills in the
county built by John Henry Montgomery. The first
mill built on the site was flooded badly in 1903
and rebuilt. This image may date to 1910 or
later. Image: Courtesy Peter Metzke
Pacolet No. 1 was one of the early mills in the
county built by John Henry Montgomery. The first
mill built on the site was flooded badly in 1903
and rebuilt. This image may date to 1910 or
later. Image: Courtesy Peter Metzke
The caption reads "Pocolet Cotton Mills,
Spartanburg, NC." Two typos in one line!
This postcard shows the reverse side of the
mill above left. There appears to be
construction as the men add rip rap to shore
up the banks of the Pacolet River.
Courtesy of Bill Wornall Postcard Collection
Spartanburg, NC." Two typos in one line!
This postcard shows the reverse side of the
mill above left. There appears to be
construction as the men add rip rap to shore
up the banks of the Pacolet River.
Courtesy of Bill Wornall Postcard Collection
This undated and untitled post card has
"Pacolet Mill No. 2" written in pencil on the
reverse side. This appears to be an early
grist mill and not a textile mill. If you can
help, please let me know. Perhaps this photo
was taken during the flood of 1903?
Click to enlarge
Contact: Mock.gary@yahoo.com
"Pacolet Mill No. 2" written in pencil on the
reverse side. This appears to be an early
grist mill and not a textile mill. If you can
help, please let me know. Perhaps this photo
was taken during the flood of 1903?
Click to enlarge
Contact: Mock.gary@yahoo.com
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2010