City Directories and History: 1908 – Rock Hill Steam Laundry (at #136 or #138 W. Main St.) and #171 J.L. White, 1912 – S.A. Mitchell, 1917 – Gillis C. Clyburn, 1922/23 – Same, 1936 – Mrs. Bessie Allen Boarding House, 1946 – W. Hugh King, 1963 – West Main Esso Service, 1975 – NA
The Herald reported on Jan. 16, 1901 – “The new laundry of Mr. T.T. Morison or Morrison, has been supplied with all new machinery.”
The Herald reported on Jan. 22, 1902 – “That Mr. John Gelzer (lived on the corner of Union and Oakland Ave.,), has bought the RH Steam Laundry from Mr. T.T. Morison and will take charge as soon as transfer can be made. He has bought a new automatic collar and cuff ironer. The business will be under the management of Mr. J.M. Daniel.
The Herald reported on March 25, 1903 – “James Bolejack has moved to Rock Hill from Kershaw and has opened a shop near the Rock Hill Steam Laundry where he will manufacture mattresses and do upholstery and repair work.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on Feb. 5, 1904 – “That the Rock Hill (Steam) Laundry is again in operation under new management, I.W. Richardson and R.C. Surrett of Gaffney, S.C. have leased the plant.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on Aug 5, 1907 – “A new two story building is being erected by Capt. W.L. Roddey to house the RH Steam Laundry. ”
The RH Record reported on Nov. 7, 1907 – “The RH Steam Laundry recently moved into their new two story brick building. Built specially for this business. Mr. Watts is the Manager and Ms. Ethel Biggers will be in charge of the office.”
The Record reported on March 2, 1908 – “Mr. W. C. Watts, who has had charge of the RH Steam Laundry for some time, has ended his connection and will be succeeded by Mr. T.S. Watson, as Manger. Watson is the former owner and started the laundry. It has practically all new facilities and equipment. Mr. Edwards of Monroe, N.C. is the owner.”
The Record reported on June 8, 1908, “that a costly fire at about 3 o’clock Friday morning (June 5, 1908), completely destroyed the building of the Rock Hill Steam Laundry, the Rock Hill Coca Cola Company and the offices and storerooms of J.J. Keller and Company. All were a complete loss with absolutely nothing being saved. All the buildings belonged to Capt. W.L. Roddey, except the Coca Cola Building, which was owned by Mr. W.M. Mitchell.” Also on June 8th, the Record reported that the businesses involved in the fire will relocated temporarily. The Steam Laundry will occupy the hall over Bailey’s Stable. They have placed an order for new machinery and hope to have a new building erected on the old site. J.J. Keller will occupy the second story of the Rock Hill Telephone Building near the Record Building. Mr. Crissman, Mg., of the RH Coca Cola Bottling Works, will be located in the warehouse in the rear of R.W. Cranford and the Rock Hill Supply Company. They will erect a new building on the same spot as the old one at once.”
The Record reported on Aug. 31, 1908 – “T.S. Watson who has very successfully managed the RH Steam Laundry has purchased a laundry at Sumter.”
The Record reported on Oct. 12, 1908 – “The RH Steam Laundry resumed operations this morning after having been out of business for several months as a result of the fire. Mr. Mallory, who is in charge is an experienced laundry man.”
The RH Record reported Nov. 19, 1908 – “An explosion at the RH Laundry tore a large hole in the brick wall of the building and damaged the ceiling and floor. Mr. Farthing is foreman and Mr. Edward is the owner. This is a severe loss coming so soon after after the loss of the plant by fire.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on Dec. 5, 1912 – Mr. S.A. Mitchell of Columbia, an experienced laundry man, has accepted the position as manager of the plant of the Rock Hill Steam Laundry, taking the place of Mr. H.B. Mitchell, resigned.
On July 1st 1914 the Herald reported, “a fire in the boiler room of the Rock Hill Steam Laundry. The building belongs to J.T. Roddey. The laundry was preparing to move into the new building, just completed on the lot purchase from the city.”
The Herald reported on March 18, 1914 – “that the RH Steam Laundry is planning to build a new building on the property recently purchased from the city in the 100 block of West Black Street.”
Click on the More Information > link found below the picture column for additional data or pictures. Also see Urban Renewal image for a 1950’s look at the area.
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