City Directories and History: 1908 – Samuel Baily – Barber, at (433 Railroad Ave., or South Dave Lyle Blvd.), 1917 – George Azer and Brothers, 1946 – NA, 1963 – Azer Lunch and Grocery / Also listed in the 1913 City Directory: M & Bro. (Michael and William) Dry Goods @105 W. White St., rms@ 103.5 W. White St., and William Azer residence in Charlotte, N.C.
The City of Rock Hill began their urban renewal project to transform the city in the late 1960s and it continued into the early 1970s. It
The arrow points at the two story brick building that housed the theatre, near the Azer’s store. AFLLC Collection
involved the demolition of hundreds of homes and private businesses in the African American area as well as the East Black, West Black, Johnston, Hampton, and Trade Street corridors were all affected. Within a short span, nearly 40% of Rock Hill’s older downtown buildings were destroyed to provide economic opportunities, benefiting a few businessman. As part of this action, the railroad lines were moved and a new bridge crossing over Black Street was built to also alleviate traffic jams created by trains but in doing so, the old Rock Hill Depot building was also razed.
But the most transformative aspect of the move was to add municipal buildings to the landscape; the Rock Hill City Hall, the Center for Aging, the Library and the Rock Hill Police Department buildings.
Click HOME to return to the numbered site tour of Rock Hill’s downtown.
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COMMUNITY LINK – THE AZER FAMILY AT HOME
Advertisement from the 1938 Rock Hill Bearcat annual. The ad states his business was on South Trade Street but an earlier directory listed it at #117 North Trade Street.
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.
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