240 Johnston Street – Historic Craig Home

The Herald reported on April 2, 1885 – “Mr. B.N. Craig has purchased a lot in the NE part of town and will soon commence to build.”

The Herald reported on April 9, 1940 – “There was a fire at the home of B.N. Craig on Johnston Street. The fire was confined to a closet and the damage of not heavy.” On June 6, 1940 – “Mr. and Mrs. B.N. Craig have moved back to their home on Johnston Street after making repairs from a fire several months ago.  They have been staying with their son B.N. Craig, Jr. and his wife in Cherry Park.”

City Directories and History:  1922/23 – B.N. Craig, 1933 – Nathaniel B. Craig, 1938 – Hazel E. and Margaret R. Sistar (Salesman for Craig and Co.),  1963 – DeWitt A. Hurst

R&R HISTORY LINK: CRAIG WHOLESALE FOODS

Mr. N.B. Craig purchased the property at 240 Johnston Street and had the original home moved from the corner lot next door at #234 Johnston and began construction of a new home for his family. Mr. Craig was the owner-operator of Craig’s Wholesale Food Distributors on the corner of East Main and Trade Streets next to the railroad.

The Herald reported on Feb. 1, 1893 – “the firm of B. N. Craig and Company has been devolved by the withdrawal of Mr. Craig.  It will be succeeded by J. W. O’Neal and Company.  Mr. O’Neal was the junior partner of the original company.  Mr. Craig is a careful businessman who came to Rock Hill fifteen years ago as a stranger to the community and with only a small amount of money.  He has build up a good trade.  His plans for the future are unclear.”

Interior image at the Craig’s Johnston St. home. Courtesy of the Craig Family Collection – 2012

Mr. Craig was originally from Lancaster County, SC and Mrs. Craig was a Cross from Chester, SC. After their marriage the family resided here for a few years before building a new home on College Avenue. The home became the residence of James S. White and his family for decades and was later used by Goody Thomas as part of the Thomas Engineering Firm.

Nannie Cross’s image was taken in Charleston, S.C. at the Exposition.

The Rock Hill Journal reported on June 22, 1901 – “Mr. W.W. Alexander has just finished painting a new five room cottage for Mr. B.N. Craig on Black Street. The color is white, trimmed in olive.”  (This appears to be an investment home not his primary residence.) Also see the Cross Family home in Chester, S.C.

The Herald reported on July 18, 1940 – “Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Sistare have moved from the Craig House at the corner of Johnston and Greene to a newly built house on Greene Street.”

Click on the More Information > link found below the picture column for additional data.

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

R&R HISTORY LINK: N.B. CRAIG’S GRAVE SITE

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