City Directories and History: OLD WEILS MATTRESS FACTORY
Constructed before 1872; rehabilitated as condominiums 1990
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Nov. 22, 1883 – “There was a fire recently at the Charleston Clothing Company. Seven people are employed there and three were killed by the fire. It is known as the Robertson, Taylor and Company. The loss is $60,000.”
The rear, two-story brick section of this building began as a cotton warehouse owned by George W. Williams and later served as the center of a complex belonging to Robertson, Taylor and Company, who processed cotton brought into Charleston from the plantations. The Weils family added the front section of the building in the twentieth century when the structure became a mattress factory; it retained this use until the 1970s. After the Board of Architectural Review had denied applications for demolition for years, a group of investors renovated the entire building as condominiums. The rear of the property borders a tiny thoroughfare called Motley Lane, formerly called Mott’s Lane. It traverses in an L-shaped path from Pinckney Street to Anson Street, accessing small houses and outbuildings of some of the large dwellings facing onto Hasell Street.
The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Other sources of interest: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61 and the Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917 The HCF may also have additional data at: Past Perfect and further research can be uncovered at: Charleston 1861 Census Schedule or The Charleston City Guide of 1872
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!