The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 16, 1879 – “Our weekly paper informs its readers last week under a new appropriate name. The once Hampton Herald is now the Rock Hill Herald.”
The Rock Hill Herald contained an ad on Feb. 26, 1916 – “Ms. Mary Harrison announces the removal of her millinery store to the Izard Building on Hampton Street.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 23, 1922 – “The Library is today moving from the 3rd floor of the London Building to the 2nd floor of the Izard Building, over the Citizens Bank. The Rock Hill Lodge of Masons will occupy the library’s former quarters.” The Herald reported on April 29, 1932 – “Mr. Harold “Skeet” Brown has announced he will open a store at this address for the sale and service of GE products.”
City Directories and History: 1908 – (#12) R. P. Boyd (Ella) Clerk, h. 123 Hampton St. Also in home is listed Rupert Boyd, clerk., 1917 – London Printery, Evening Herald, Herald Publishing Company, (#123) Electrical Supply Company, 1922/23 – The Herald Publishing Co. @ #121, Rock Hill Cycle Shop @ #125, N.G. Walker, architect @ #123.5 and RH Library Assn., @ #125.5, London Printery @ #131-133,
The SC Architects: 1885-1935 Wells & Dalton, 1992 attributed this building to architect, Nat Gaillard Walker called the R.M. London Business Building, completed in 1909 at a cost of $12,000.
The Record reported on July 27, 1907 – “Reported on two occupants of the Record Building, the Harris Manufacturing Co., is on an upper floor and makes money bags for the use of banks and businesses. John M. Russell, a merchandise broker is located in the store located next to the Record Office, formerly occupied by W. W. Gill.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on Dec. 30, 1907 – “Mr. R.M. London has purchased Mrs. R. P. Boyd’s house and lot, on the corner of Black and Hampton Streets. He will in the near future erect a building there for his publishing business. He has also purchased a lot on Park Ave., and will build a house on it.”
The Record reported on Feb. 6, 1908 – “Contractor Keller will shortly begin the erection of a residence on Park Ave., for Mrs. Robert P. Boyd. ” March 5, 1908 – “Work has been started on the new home for Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Boyd on Park Avenue.”
The Record reported on May 18, 1908 – “Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Boyd and family have moved out of the house on Hampton Street and are now living in their new home on Park Avenue.”
The Record reported on June 1, 1908 – “Mrs. C.K. Schwrar and children returned from Charlotte and tomorrow will move into the house on East Moore Street recently built by Mr. Charles Frew.”
The RH Record reported on Nov. 12, 1908 – “Capt. W.L. Roddey is having sample rooms fitted up in the hall of the Record Building for use of the Carolina Hotel while the hotel is being enlarged.”
The RH Record reported on Dec. 21, 1908 – “The Crystal Palace Theatre opens tonight in the Record Building. Mr. George C. Hough, the Manager, is a Chester man, and promises refined vaudeville and high class acts only.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on Dec. 21, 1908 – “Mr. R.P. Boyd and Family will leave Jan. 1st to live in Spartanburg. His home here will be occupied by Mr. A.C. Wright and family.”
The RH Record reported Nov. 18, 1909 – “Plans have been drawn by Architect, N.G. Walker and a contract let to J.J. Keller for two handsome brick buildings on Hampton Street. Each will have forty foot frontage, one will be two stories and the other three stories. The first will be occupied by F.S. Love and Co., who will do an undertaking business to their present business of lumber and paints. And by J.J. Keller and Co. The other building will be occupied by the London Printery.”
RH City Directory of 1913 shows: Robert P. Boyd (Ella), pharmacist, J. L. Phillips Drug Co., h. 344 East Black Street. (Evidently if they built the house Park Ave., they moved back to Black Street by 1913)
The Herald reported on Jan. 27, 1923 – That work began today renovating the new offices of the YMCA which will be occupied Feb. 1st. The new quarters are over the Herald Offices. It will include a social room for social boys.”
WU’s Pettus Archives has plans by architect, A.D. Gilchrist of Rock Hill for work on the Record Printing Company building dated 1936.
Also see additional information on J.R. London and other Rock Hillians who made a difference under the picture column – the MORE INFORMATION link.
History of the Rock Hill Post Office: This was an article in the Herald on May 29, 1931 provided as part of an advertisement for People’s National Bank, the information from Buena Wood due to the first day the Post Office was being operated on a temporary basis on Hampton Street as the new Federal Building (Gettys Center) was being constructed.
“The first Post Office in Rock Hill was on Trade Street, where the A&P Grocery store is now (1931), Mr. Ferguson was Post Master. The next site was on West Main Street, on the lot now occupied by Marshall Oil Company in 1931. The Post Mistress was Maria Rutland. The PO then moved to Ratterree’s Corner on the spot now occupied (1931) by Hood Clothing Company. Col. William Kerr was Post Master. The next site was on Main Street in a building adjacent to W.L. Roddey and
Company. A fire destroyed this building and it was then moved to the Roddey Hotel. Miss Buena Wood was then Post Mistress. The PO then moved to one of Mr. Roddey’s storerooms now occupied by Rock Hill Hardware Company in 1931. Col. Cad J. Pride was the Post Master. The next site was on Main Street in the White Property, now partly occupied by the Merritt Shoe Company in 1931. The next Post Master was E.E. Poag. In 1906 the present PO on the corner of Main and Caldwell was built, following Mr. Poag, postmaster have been; V.B. McFadden, E.E. Poag and A.R. Barrett. Temporary quarters for the PO are now in the Barber – Sykes Building on Hampton Street opposite the City Hall.”
Buena Wood – Author
YMCA LOCATIONS IN ROCK HILL
Research in City Directories and other sources reveals the following locations for the Young Men’s Christian Association in Rock Hill:
Year Location Source
1913 122 East Main Street YMCA web site
(Above Rock Hill Hardware Co.)
1917 100 ½ East Main Street City Directory
(National Union Bank Bldg.)
1920 100 ½ East Main Street City Directory
1922 100 ½ East Main Street City Directory
1923 123 ½ Hampton Street Rock Hill Herald, Jan. 27, 1923
1936 123 ½ Hampton Street City Directory
1938 123 ½ Hampton Street City Directory
1940 123 ½ Hampton Street City Directory
1942 490 North Confederate Ave. City Directory
(Confederate Park)
1946 134 Caldwell Street City Directory
1949 233 Hampton Street City Directory/Herald March 3, 1952
(Workman-Gettys House)
1950 402 Charlotte Avenue Rock Hill Herald, Jan. 2, 1951
(Dedication January 7, 1951)
*** Information compiled by P.M. Gettys – 2017
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