The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 18, 1916 – “Mr. E.J. Bell has resigned his position with Bass Furniture Co., and will accept a position with S.W. Plyler. He has been a salesman since the store now occupied by Mr. Bass was operated by E.M. Andrews.”
City Directories and History: 1908 – Neely and Davis (Grocery and Confectioner’s: A. Theo. Neely, (456 Hampton), John L. Davis (236 Reid St.), Eugene S. Mills (boards at 248 Oakland Ave.), 1917 – S.W. Plyler, 1946 – Birdsey Flour Mills, 1963 – Fairway Finance Company
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 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.
The Herald of Aug. 29, 1900 reported, “the Morrison (also spelled Morison) Building on Depot St., is being remodeled. The roof of the three storerooms will be raised and glass fronts will be put in.”
The Herald on Sept. 5, 1900 – reported A.D. Holler has the contract to renovate and reconstruct the Morison Building on Depot Street. The fronts will be renewed, glass windows installed, new floors installed and the ceilings will be raised.”
The Herald reported on Jan. 22, 1902 – “That S.W. Plyler and W.J. Gordon have rented one of the Morison Store rooms on Depot Street (later renamed N. Trade St.,) and will open a stock of groceries and confectioneries there. They are from Goldsboro, N.C., but formerly lived in Rock Hill.”
The Herald reported on July 19, 1902 – “Mr. S.W. Alexander has moved his stock of goods to one of the Morison Store rooms. Mr. Levy Deas, the sewing machine man, is also occupying a part of the same room.”
The Herald reported on Sept. 20, 1902 – “Mr. W.S. Brown, who has been running a store near the Victoria Mill, has rented the vacant Morison Store room on Depot (N. Trade), and will remove his stock of goods to that stand. Mr. H.L. Gibson has rented the room vacated by Mr. Brown and will stock it with groceries and run it as a branch of his Main Street store.”
On May 2, 1903 the Herald reported, “J.M. Barrett of Union Co., NC has bought the stock of goods of W.S. Brown on Depot St., and will enlarge and continue the business.”
On July 11, 1903 the Herald reported – “C.E. Black has bought the stock of goods from J.M. Barrett and will enlarge and continue the business at the same old stand on Depot Street.”
The Record reported on March 5, 1908, in a legal notice, that the partnership between A.T. Neely Jr and J.L. Davis, doing business as Neely and Davis is dissolved. Mr. Davis is buying the interest of Mr. Neely.
The Record reported on Oct. 12, 1911 – “S.W. Plyler of Rock Hill and W.E. Poag of Draper N.C., have bought the store of J.F. McAllister on N. Railroad Ave. Mr. Poag is known as Ed, is the son of W.T. Poag of Rock Hill. He has been in the cotton mill business in other cities. Mr. Plyler has been in business in Rock Hill for 10-12 years. He will continue his store at #1 Moore Street near the Victoria Mill.”
But the most trans-formative 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.
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
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.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Curry Walker says
Where is the Blog on the mill as noted in this weeks News from R&R? The link only takes me to the store.
rradmin says
Here it is:https://www.rootsandrecall.com/york-county-sc/buildings/garrisons-mill-on-the-catawba-river/
Thanks you for your continued interest in local history.
Wade@R&R