The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Feb. 18, 1886 – “The firm of W.G. Reid and Co., are building a large warehouse on Black Street.”
The Rock Hill Herald contained an ad on Jan. 22, 1916 for – “W.G. Reid and So, Undertakers and Lic. Embalmers. We have a private ambulance.”
Architect, Mr. A.D. Gilchrist was hire in 1929 to draw plans for the Rayless Dept. Store of Rock Hill, S.C. Courtesy of the WU Pettus Archives – 2024
City Directories and History: 1908 (Crawford – Roddey Building) Aaron Pride (#144 – Pride Cleaning and Pressing), 1917 – W.G. Reid and Son, 1922/23 – W.G. Reid and Son – Furniture Co., 1946 – Raylass Dept. Store, 1963 – Rayless Dept. Store
The SC Architects: 1885-1935 Wells & Dalton, 1992 attributed this building to Julian S. Starr constructed in 1929, constructed at a cost of $29,000.
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Jan. 8, 1885 – “W.G. Reid and Co., have just received a lot of bicycles. This useful and popular machine is all the rage and is destined to supersede the horse.”
On Jan. 27, 1887 the Herald reported – “W.S. Crayton and Co., have announced that they have purchased the business of W.G. Reid and Co., and will continue at the old stand. Mr. Reid will remain as a salesman.”
The Herald reported on Jan. 15, 1902 – “Mr. Fred H. Ganung, funeral director and embalmer for the firm of W.G. and Reid and Son, is to be married in Charleston to Ms. Helen B. Fairchild of New York City. The couple will board with Mrs. Philip Taylor.”
The Herald reported on March 25, 1903 – “W.G. Reid and Son have just received a substantial and up to date undertakers wagon from the National Wagon Co., of Chillocathe, Ohio.”
The RH Record reported on May 30th 1907 – W.G. Reid and Son are ready to move into their new quarters in the Crawford and Roddey Building. This will be one of the largest furniture showrooms in the South. The storeroom vacated by the company will be occupied by W.W. Gill, grocer, who will move from the Record Building.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on April 8, 1909 – “The club women of Rock Hill are working to establish a library. They will begin with 120 books in a bookcase in the store of W.G. Reid and Son.”
The Record reported on Aug. 19, 1929 – “Rayless Store is to open Sat. Sept. 7, 1929 in the renovated old W.G. Reid & Son furniture building.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Feb. 22, 1940 – “The Raylass/Rayless Dept. Store will reopen at 144-146 East Main Street after major renovations. Mr. L.E. Ferrell is the manager.”
The Herald also reported on March 9, 1942 – “Work on remodeling the Dept. Store on E. Main Street has been completed. The manager is J.N. Young.”
Also see – Lot #6 – South
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