“Also used as the local Masonic Meeting Hall in the 1880s.”
The Yorkville Enquirer contained an ad in Jan. 6, 1870 for Bratton, Mason, and Withers offering general merchandise.
City Directories and History: 1908 – Commercial Club @Bratton Building, M.C. Willis – Pres, J.C. Wilborn – Sec., The Firm of Allison and Bratton started in 1860 according to the Yorkville Enquirer, see this page!
This handsome three story structure dominates the corner of West Liberty and North Congress Streets. Originally #101 N. Congress, by 1910 the structure was being used as a dry goods company.
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Aug. 7, 1873 – “The Sheriff has sold the interest of Jacob Blair in a house and lot on Madison Street, which was bought by W.B. Williams, Esq., for $10.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Feb. 3, 1876 – “W.H. McCorkle has opened a stock of dry goods in the Bratton Building.” (Earlier W.H. McCorkle had another unknown location: The Yorkville Enquirer on Oct. 26, 1865 contained an ad – Col. W.H. McCorkle advertised a new store and new goods.)
The Enquirer reported on Jan. 25, 1877 – “Kennedy and Barron have opened a new grocery and hardware store in one room of the Dr. Allison’s new building.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on April 10, 1884 – “Walker and Wall is a new business located in the old Masonic Building. They have groceries, farm supplies, tobacco and cigars.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 5, 1887 – “Withers Adickes is closing out his stock in the Bratton Building on the corner and will discontinue his business. When he vacates, Mr. M. Straus will move into the building with his stock of drygoods.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 4, 1888 – “Hart and Hart have moved their law office to the second floor of the John S. Bratton Building opposite the courthouse.”
East Liberty Street: Bratton Building on the right. Courtesy of the AFLLC Collection – 2017
The Yorkville Enquirer stated on May 29, 1889 – “Dr. J.R. Bratton has recently made some improvements on his corner building known as the old Masonic Hall. He has fitted up a suite of rooms on the second floor to be used as offices by himself and his sons.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Nov. 6, 1889 – “Dr. J.R. Bratton is replacing the old wooden roof with a metal roof on the large corner building known as the Masonic Hall.”
The postcard view of North Congress Street shows the Bratton Building on the left corner. Courtesy of the AFLLC Collection – 2017
The Yorkville Enquirer of Jan. 7, 1891 – “Mr. W.B. Williams, the County Auditor, has moved his office to the Bratton Building, in the same room with the Farmers Alliance agent, Mr. Stevenson.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 11, 1893 – “Mr. T.B. McClain of Yorkville has purchased the Bratton Building, the brick structure on the corner of Congress and Liberty, from Mrs. P.R. Bratton of Charleston. The purchase includes the wooden structure in the rear occupied by Finley and Brice and Trial Judge Carroll. Tenants in the large building including M. and H.C. Strouse and other renters will remain in the rooms and offices they now occupy.”

In 1863, Mrs. Ann H. White of Rock Hill was purchasing goods from the Allison and Bratton store in Yorkville, S.C. Courtesy of the White Family Collection – 2008
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