City Directories and History: 1917 – NA, 1946 – Oasis Co, Inc. (Liquors), 1973 – Vacant
Most lots on the west side of Caldwell Street were owned by Mrs. Addie H. Caldwell, the sister of Mrs. Ann H. White, know as Rock Hill’s mother. Mrs. Caldwell lived on the corner of Caldwell and East White in a handsome antebellum home and over the decades, turned numerous parcels behind her home, running along Caldwell Street into income producing rental units.
By the mid 1880s at the time of her death, Rock Hill’s economic boom had commenced, and her elongated house lot was quickly commercialized and developed into numerous business parcels. These lots were used as commercial units and as the middle class began purchasing automobiles, a number of them became affiliated with that industry. Rock Hillians, including members of the Barber, McFadden, Hardin, Marshall, Neely and Sadler families began dealing in autos or allied businesses such as fuel distribution or auto parts.
Barber Motor Company constructed their new showroom on Caldwell Street, using blue granite, with impressive architectural arches. Automobile dealers in downtown both flourished as well as failed, including that of Barber Motor Company, that even with massive advertising didn’t attract the sales volume required to maintain their franchise.
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