“Neighborhood stores served important gathering spots and badly needed credit.”
In 1895, Rock Hill had in operation, in addition to the Rock Hill Cotton Co., the Standard Cotton Mill, Globe Mill, Arcade Mill, Manchester Mill, and the Rock Hill Buggy Co. It also had two banks, a tobacco factory, a canning factory, machine shops, an electric light plant, a street railway and waterworks and four livery stables. – Louise Pettus
R&R HISTORY LINK: RH FIRE DEPT AND KIMBRELL SITE
City Directories and History: 1908 – #107 A.A. Munn, #109 – Abram McKenzie, #111 – J.M. Porter and W.F. Rhodes, 1936 -#105 – D & S Cafe, #107 – Jacobs Barber Shop,
*** Note both Munn and McKenzie were at this location in 1906 per the RH PO Ledger.
The Rock Hill Record contained and ad on April 23, 1908 – For a new plumbing shop at 105 W. White Street. Known as Fewell and Tripplett, it is now ready for business and provides heating and plumbing services.”
The Herald reported on March 10, 1914 – “There was a fire last night in the meat market of J.Q. Roberts on West White, causing the loss of several hundred dollars. The store adjacent, occupied by M. Azer, was damaged by water and smoke. The building, owned by W.B. Fewell was also damage.”
Mr. C.E. Kimbrell owned several mill village stores and numerous rental properties.
The Herald contained an ad on March 17, 1914 – for the L.F. Waldrop Company located in the Fewell building at the corner of White Street and Chatham Avenue. The business included John Barnwell, licensed plumber.
The McElwee Store ledger of 1915-16 states that William A. Hunsucker and wife Sue, ran W.A. Hunsucker Grocery at 101 West White Street and resided 402 Elm Ave., (402 South Trade St.,), his partners in the grocery were C.H. Hailey and L.L. Holler.
This commercial strip of brick building was demolished by the City of Rock Hill in 2014 to make room for the expansion of Knowledge Park. The area, known commonly as, “Greasy Corner” was for many years a thriving business area across from the Rock Hill Cotton Factory – later Carhartt Mills. It was also just west or behind, the location of the second Rock Hill Passenger Depot, which sat on the west side of the railroad next to West White and Chatham.
Building at Greasy Corner in circa 1970 – Mendenhall Collection
The store pictured here, was owned by local business-entrepreneur, Matthew Edward Kimbrell (1880-1944), who married Ida E. Bradford (1880-1915). Until the 1960’s dozens of community corner stores just like this one thrived throughout Rock Hill. They provided individuals a place of socialization, financial transactions, and quick shopping.
The Herald reported on Nov. 28, 1896 – “Capt. A. B. Fewell of Ebenezer has had brick and sand placed for the erection of a first class blacksmith shop on the corner of White Street and Chatham Avenue. The Herald reported on Dec. 30, A.B. Fewell’s new brick blacksmith shop is complete.
The Record reported on Feb. 10, 1908 – “There was a shooting at Greene’s Stables on West White Street.”
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R&R HISTORY LINK: ROCK HILL COTTON FACTORY
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