240 Hampton Street – Historic Rawlinson Home

Druggist, Mr. R.M. Williamson originally built the home of W. Joel Rawlinson on Hampton Street, with extensive wrap around porches… MEMORIES OF JOHNSTON STREET AND HAMPTON STREETS BY MRS. JACKSON GOODWIN BENNETT – WM. B. WHITE, JR. COLLECTION, WU PETTUS ARCHIVES

The Rock Hill Herald reported on Jan. 17, 1884 – “Mr. T.P. Roddey has moved into the residence recently occupied by W.J. Rawlinson.” (Location unknowns to R&R)

The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Oct. 8, 1890 – “Major B.F. Rawlinson has rented the house on Elm Street recently vacated by Mr. J.B. Clark.  The Rawlinson family will move from the homeplace.”

City Directories and History:  1908 – W.J. Rawlinson, (C.W.F. Spencer – Renter / B.C. Barnes – Cashier at Bank of Rock Hill), 1917 – W.J. Rawlinson, 1922/23 – W.J. Rawlinson, 1936 – Minnie Rawlinson, 1963 – Vacant

R&R HISTORY LINK: Family Connection

“On the northwest corner of Hampton and Johnston stood the Rawlinson house, which we have already mentioned above. Mr. W. J. Rawlinson was a big landowner and a director and stockholder of the National Union Bank of Rock Hill.”  [Robbins – White Tour Booklet]

The new Rock Hill City Hall was constructed on the entire block following the demolition of some of Rock Hill’s finest and oldest homes. Image courtesy of the Turner Postcard Collection – 2012

The beautiful home of B.F. Rawlinson once stood on the corner lot of Hampton Streets and Johnston, it faced Hampton. The house

Image of Charlie Cobb’s 1892 school class at Central School.

The 1892 Central School Class. Note that Addie Rawlinson was on the 4th row.

was most likely constructed just prior to the Civil War, one of Rock Hill’ earliest dwellings. The Rawlinson family was highly influential farmers and business executives for many decades in the city. A smaller home once stood on the rear of this lot at #155 Johnston Street but no information is available on it.

The Herald reported on March 21, 1900 – “Mr. W.J. Rawlinson has let a contract to Mr. A.D. Holler to erect a six room cottage on Johnston Street, opposite the Johnson Homestead, which will be occupied by Dr. W.A. Pressley and family.”

The historic home was heavily remodeled in the late 19th century when it was made into a lovely Queen Anne style house but along with dozens of other houses in the neighborhood, it was demolished in the late 1960’s to make room for the new Rock Hill City Hall and other municipal buildings.

The Herald reported on Sept. 3, 1902 that a new law firm has been formed as Spencer and Dunlap.  C.R. Spencer and C.W.F. Spencer will welcome Walter M. Dunlap, the son of Major W.B. Dunlap. Mr. Dunlap will be in the Rock Hill office with C.W.F. Spencer. (This is at the Roddey Building also called the Equitable Building).

The Record reported on Jan, 17, 1907 – “Col. W.J. Rawlinson is contemplating modernizing his house by turning it into a colonial mansion.”

The RH Record reported on Oct. 17, 1907 – “Col. W. J. Rawlinson has a force of workman renovating his house on Hampton Street.  He is also painting his house and two other houses on Johnston Street that he also owns.”

The RH Record reported on Nov. 16, 1908 – “The entire business of the Bank of Rock Hill has been merged with the National Union Bank of Rock Hill.  Mr. B.C. Barnes has been cashier of the Bank of Rock Hill and will be working for the National Union Bank.  The Pres. of the Bank of Rock Hill, Mr. R.T. Fewell, found his interests outside so large that he could not devote enough time to the bank.  He occupies a prominent position in the textile business.”

Across Hampton Street and on the NW corner of Hampton and Johnston lived the Rawlinsons, Mr. Walter and his second wife, Miss Minnie, and their son, Walter Barnes, who was my age. Miss Hattie, Mr. Rawlinson’s sister, also lived there and had charge of the house. His daughter, Miss Addie, and his sons, Mr. Joe and Mr. Caldwell (all by the first wife), lived there, too. Mrs. Rawlinson’s room was facing Johnston Street and there was a little porch where she used to sit There was also a long board fence that enclosed the backyard and the garden. Miss Hattie told me once that she always knew when Papa was going home after an evening of cards with Doctor Crawford, Cousin Harry Wylie, and Mr. “Cow Ed” Poag, because Papa loved to tease the dogs and make them bark by dragging a stick along the fence palings.

Mama told us a story about these men. They were playing setback. The others began to tease Mr. Poag about being an old bachelor. Finally, he drawled: “Well, if I had had a mind to take somebody’s leavings, I might have got a wife, but for my part, I don’t like warmed over cabbage.” Doctor Crawford and Cousin Harry had both married widows.  Courtesy of the YCGHS—June 1998

Click on the More Information > link found below the picture column for additional data on the photo inscription. Click on Lauelwood Cemetery Tours for J.W. Rawlinson’s gravesite.

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R&R HISTORY LINK: Johnston Street Recollections by R.B. Guess

R&R HISTORY LINK: MOORE HOME ON FALLS RD

R&R HISTORY LINK: York County’s Wealthy

R&R HISTORY LINK: Business Connection

R&R HISTORY LINK: Family Connection

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