145 East White Street
“The wild enthusiasm for a new sport in Rock Hill, bicycle racing.”
City Directories and History: 1917 – NA, 1946 – White Cycle Company, 1963 – Vacant
James Spratt White and his son James Spratt White II, were prolific cyclist who have been written up numerous times dealing with their racing and travels across South Carolina and even to New York City. His business, among others, was however, a small bicycle sales shop which he had begun at an early age and
continued for decades. One of his long-term employees was Izra DeWitt who later took over the shop from the White family and moved it to East Black Street and later to Saluda Road.
It can easily be stated, “No other family in Rock Hill’s history, besides that of the James. S. White family, had a larger influence on the development of a cycling enthusiasm.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of Aug. 21, 1889 reported – “A baseball game was played in Rock Hill on the new baseball park just laid off on East Hampton Street and was witnessed by over 200 people.”
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.”
The Herald reported on Jan. 22, 1896 – “The RH Athletic association has leased a lot of four acres from the Iredell Land Company (eastern Rock Hill), and this lot will be fitted up for bicycle races and baseball games for the coming season.” Furthermore, one April 25, 1896 the Herald reported, “Mr. J.A. Lewis is rushing work on the fence around the baseball park. He will have the work completed in a few days and will then begin on the grandstand. Someone should name this baseball park.”
On Feb. 5, 1896 – Mr. James S. White is in charge of the bicycle department of the Rock Hill Hardware Company.
On Feb. 12, 1896 there was an ad for the Rock Hill Hardware Company, John Gelzer, Manager stating they carry Syracuse Crimson Rim Bicycles and see James S. White for service.
On Feb. 19, 1896 an ad was run for the Rock Hill Buggy Co., stating they have become agents for Royster Bicycles.
The Herald reported on Feb. 26, 1896 – “Mr. Dolph Friedheim has accepted the agency of the Cleveland Bicycle.”
On March 7, 1896 the Herald reported that there have already been a number of bicycles sold in town. Rock Hill Hardware has sold nine, S.T. Frew and Co., have sold three and A. Friedheim has sold two.
March 11, 1896 – Reported that six of the Standard Mill boys are now spinning through life of bicycles.
March 18, 1896, the Herald reported – “Mr. W. C. Whitner is surveying the bicycle track in Oakland. This site offers many natural advantages for a splendid track.”
The Herald reported on April 15, 1896 – “Work on the bicycle track is progressing by Mr. Carr & Heath, and by Neely & Erwin, who have the contract. The track is one quarter mile in length, 30 ft wide and oval in shape. The curves are mathematically and practically correct. The surface is composed of a layer of cinders covered with white sand and mixed with salt. Mr. J. A. Lewis has received the contract for the grandstand and fencing.”
On April 29, 1896 the Herald reported, “There was a big storm in Oakland. The grandstand which was being erected on the bicycle race grounds was blown down and several trees were twisted out of the ground.” On May 2 and 6th, they reported that – “the bicyclist paraded on Monday afternoon forming at the graded school about six o’clock. There were about 45 cyclist with their wheels decorated.”
The Herald reported on May 20th, “The first meet at the Oakland Cycle Track, was a great success. There were over 300 spectators. J. S. White won both the one mile race and the quarter mile dash. The married men’s race was won by R.L. Deas.”
The Herald reported on May 23, 1896 – “A large crowd attended the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the signing of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence in Charlotte on Wednesday. The celebration included a bicycle race, which J.S. White lost be only a few inches.”
The Herald contained an ad on July 1, 1896 from Louis Shefesee Insurance, quoting, “Accidents happen to to those who ride bicycles and we have a special bicycle policy.”
The Herald reported on July 8, 1896 – “Gala day at the Oakland Park. It began with a baseball game between Rock Hill and Camden, about 1,000 were in attendance and Rock Hill won 15-11. Bicycle races were postponed due to hard rain but later took place, with another 1,000 in the grandstand. There were thirteen races, “All attired in the semi-nude manner peculiar to knights who engage in the popular racing craze.” The featured rider was Fred Schade of Herndon, Va., who is known as the Champion of the South.
The Herald reported on July 29, 1896 – “Julia and Mamie Campbell and J.S. White went to Greenwood on Monday to attend the bicycle races, Mr. White will be a contestant.”
The Herald reported on Aug. 19, 1896 – “Mr. R. D. Robinson’s horse ran off at Edgemoor and destroyed his buggy to pieces. “The horse became frightened at a bicycle or the Rock Hill dud that rode the bicycle.”
The Herald reported on Aug. 22, 1896 – “The races in Fort Mill were won by W. B. Ardrey, J.E. Ardrey and Lee Spratt.
The Herald reported on Aug. 26, 1896 – “The last race of the season will be held at Oakland Cycle Park. It will include a baseball game between Orangeburg and Rock Hill as well as bicycle races. Special trains will come from Yorkville and Camden.”
The Herald reported on Nov. 21, 1896 – “There will be bicycle races at Oakland Cycle Park on Thanksgiving day, to include nine events.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of May 5, 1897 reported – “The Rock Hill Athletics Association is a chartered corporation, the stock of which is held by a number of prominent Rock Hill men. More than $1,000. has been spent in surveying and grading a first class track and erecting a grandstand. Pres. of the organization in E.E. Poag, and the Sec. is Mr. Hafner. Among the fastest riders are James White, Willie White age 15, Jack Hahn and E.E. Poag of Rock Hill and W.B. Ardry of Fort Mill. James White won the championship of York, Chester and Lancaster Counties on July 4, 1895. Mr. Ardry won the tri county in 1896. Willie White won a Rock Hill race in 1896. The big race this year will take place on May 28, 1897.”
The RH Herald reported on June 6, 1903, “R.L. Deas, the bicyclist, has accepted the position of Chief Engineer in the million dollar mill in Lancaster, S.C. and will move there.”
Also see: DeWitt’s Shop , Rock Hill Hardware Company and the Historic White home for additional data on bicycle history.
Click on the More Information > link found below the picture column for a map of the area. The map points to the RH Coca Cola Bottling Company which was two doors down from the White’s Shop.
IMAGE GALLERY – Courtesy of the White Family Collection (Pettus Archives at WU)
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Louise D. Mackey says
The young man on the left in the above picture with J. Spratt White is my grandfather, Nathaniel Macon Dudley, of Americus, Georgia. The two young men were first cousins. I have a copy of the Evening Herald, dated Tuesday, June 22, 1937, with the same photograph on page 4 that identifies him.