The Yorkville Enquirer on Nov. 27, 1879 reported – “Last Friday the residence of Mr. R.T. May in Rock Hill caught fire from a defect in the chimney. The fire was extinguished but the house and furniture had considerable damage. Mr. Cynthia Owens, who lived a short distance away, became so excited she had a fit which proved fatal. She was the mother of the late M.L. Owens who was a member of the legislature.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on July 22, 1880 – “The residence of Octavia Owens on Hampton Street is being remodeled and is almost complete. The house has undergone an entire change of appearance.”
City Directories and History: 1908 – Louise Rhea (John R. Williams – boarding), 1917 – Louise Rhea, 1922/23 – Mrs. Louise Rhea, 1936 – Louise Rhea, 1963 – NA
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Sept. 11, 1889 – “Citizens of Rock Hill were shocked to hear of the death of Mr. Toy Rhea by a railroad accident at Beaucoup, Illinois, on the Louisville – Nashville railroad. Mr. Rhea was on a trip to purchase livestock in company with Mr. J. Edgar Poag. He was age 28 and had married Louis Owens two years ago and had settled in Rock Hill.”
The RH Herald reported on Nov. 23, 1904 – “Mr. Louise Rhea is now occupying her handsome new residence on the corner of East Black and Hampton Streets.”
“On the opposite corner, across Hampton Street, stood the old Owens house, with a porch across the front of the structure. This house was eventually torn down and a large two-story house was built in its place. It was owned and occupied by Mrs. Louise (Owens) Rhea, widow of J. C. Rhea, Sr., who was killed in a railroad wreck while on a trip out west to buy horses. He was a livestock dealer in Rock Hill. He died in 1889.” [Robbins – White Tour Booklet]
The old Owens-Rhea house proudly stood on the corner of East Black and Hampton streets. By the 1960’s it had been demolished to make room for a commercial auto sales lot. However, the home has a rich history of important Rock Hillians residing here. Mrs. J.C. Rhea, Sr. was an Owens and it was her family home in which

Jimmy and Betty Jo Rhea take the golf championships at the RH Country Club – 1952. Image courtesy of the Connie Morton Collection
the Rhea family resided for years. Mrs. Rhea was a mover and shaker in Rock Hill society as well as took in borders at her lovely home including Capt. Albergotti who for many years roomed at this address.
The Herald on Jun 30, 1900 reported – “Master Toy Rhea had his nose dislocated while playing ball Thursday. A hot ball struck him a center lick. The injury was treated and he is now OK.”
The Herald reported Oct. 2, 1904 – “The handsome dwelling on the corner of Hampton and Black street for Mrs. Rhea is nearing completion.”
The McElwee Store ledger of 1915 states that Clarence S. McMurry (border with brother Joseph H. McMurry and clerk at Phillips Drug Co). living at this address. The journal also lists: Edgar Poag (Realtor) and his office is listed as 151 East Main Street as does Mrs. Louise Rhea (widow of J.C. Rhea), who owns this house as having an account at the McElwee store.
The RH Herald reported on Oct. 30, 1941 – “Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Neely and family have moved from the Rhea residence on Hampton Street to the T.L. Johnston home on Johnston Street.”
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