City Directories and History: 1961 – Bank of Fairfield [E.P. Blair, Pres. R.H. Jennings, V.P., W.H. Castles – Cashier, T.D. Rivers, – Asst. Cashier, J.C. Buchanan, William H. Castles, J.B. Floyd, John T. Heyward, R.H. Jennings, L.B. Lewis, Hugh H. Mann, A.H. McMeekin, H.G. Phillips Jr., T.D. Rivers]
The Sanborn Insurance Map from 1912 shows this location with markings showing foundations only. The bank was destroyed by a massive fire in 1911 and re-constructed shortly thereafter using the facade and same general plan. Originally the bank had been located in the massive brick facility known as the Aiken Building at 109 – 111 South Congress Street.
The property on the south of this shop was owned by Dr. David Aiken who built a three story building with a double piazza around it onto West Washington Street. Mr. William Aiken’s residence stood on the site of Sion Presbyterian Church’s 1922 sanctuary. Mr. M. W. Doty started his business in the building later moving across the street to 110 N. Congress Street after a fire destroyed the entire structure in 1907. Three years later another fire destroyed Mr. Aiken’s residence as well as the three-year old
replacement building for the Aiken building then called the Enterprise Building. The Aiken residence had a three-tiered landscaped garden all the way to Vanderhorst Street with flower garden, vegetable garden, and barn for its livestock. Sion Presbyterian Church built its second sanctuary here facing West Washington Street and the present public safety department Its first sanctuary was built in 1811 in its present cemetery across from the Fairfield County Library which was built in the late 1960’s on the corner of Garden Street and West Washington Streets. The 1910 building housed the Bank of Fairfield, now Wachovia Bank.
Early Twentieth Century occupants of the adjacent stores on North Congress Street included the first home of Fairfield Rural Electrification offices, a newly created owner-owned utility business established in the 1930’s to bring electricity to rural families in the county. The James R. Curlee‘s Western Auto was a fixture for over twenty five years later moving three doors north when Mr. and Mrs. John V. Nicholson bought it. The W. B. Porters opened a grocery which son Bill and his wife Maxine ran until the 1970’s. The Estes family ran its furniture store next door for many years. Hayes Pope, Jr., bought Dunn Jewelers in the early 1950’s and ran it until the 1980’s next to the Estes business. [Information written and provided by J.M. Lyle]
Chalmers Davidson wrote in his book, The Last Foray, Aiken, David of five nonresident plantations and Winnsboro. Born June 17, 1787 (Ireland); married Feb. 25, 1812, Nancy Kerr (Feb. 18-1794-Dec. 18, 1859); died Dec. 18, 1860. Church Presbyterian (late in life). Other: Member and Trustee, Mt. Zion Society; Trustee, Mt Zion Academy. Slaves 254 (Fairfield District).
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Annie McLeod Jenkins says
I note that in the article you refer to Dr. David Aiken and also to Mr. William Aiken. William Aiken was a doctor. There was a Dr. David Aiken, but he was a dentist and was the youngest son of Dr. William Aiken. Dr. William Aiken’s father was David Aiken, but he was NOT a physician.