City Directories and History: 1908 – Joseph P. Giles Meat Market, Nannie (423 Pine St.,) Nannie, and Julian Wineburg – Watchmaker, (board on East White), 1917 – Rock Hill Candy Company, 1946 – Royal Hotel and Cafe, Albert J. Boulware / Boulware, 1963 – NA
The RH Herald reported on Nov. 29, 1899 – “Mr. A.H. White and Mr. D. Hutchison have begun a new building on a vacant lot on Depot Street, east of the store of Robbins and Wilson. It is 20-45 feet and will be occupied by the Robbins and Wilson store.”
On March 4, 1907 – J. P. Giles has opened a meat market in the building formerly occupied by Robbins and Wilson.
The RH Record reported on May 28, 1908 – “E. M. Robbins and E.C. Gross of this city will open up a grocery business in the store room formerly occupied by Giles Meat Market and Alexander’s Lunch Room. Mr. Robbins has been with S.R. McManus for sometimes past. Mr. Gross is one of the engineers in the Charleston Div., of the Southern Railway and will continue in his position.”
The Herald reported on Oct. 2, 1918 – “The loyalty of the Greeks in Rock Hill has been shown by Peter A. Pappas, popular proprietor of the Royal Cafe and Liberty Loan Chair for our foreign friends residing in the City. He has secured subscription of $15,000. from Rock Hill Greeks.”
In 1926 local Greek businessman, Mr. Pappas and Dionysupous had plans drawn by local architect, Mr. A.D. Gilcrhrist for improvements to their building. WU Pettus Archives – 2024
The Herald reported on July 3, 1931 – “Martin Massey, as resident of Pond Street was shot and killed by James Dionysupulos, proprietor of the Rock Hill Candy Company on North Trade Street. The store had been experiencing robberies and Mr. Dionysupuos and a friend John Kekeulous watched all night in the store. Early in the morning Massey entered the store from the Trade Street Barber Shop where he worked. Mr. Dionysupulos rushed forward and shot Massey as he was robbing the cash register.”
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.
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.
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.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: