The Rock Hill Herald as of Oct. 2, 1940 reported – “The Catholic chapel in Fort Mill which has been erected in front of the home of Ms. Mary O’Connell is almost completed. It has a seating capacity of 100.”
City Directories and History: The Evening Herald of April 3, 1940 – Contained a description of a home currently of Mr. Mary O’Connell. It is one a gently slopping hill on the outskirts of Fort Mill. The house was built in 1840 by Monroe White as a wedding gift for his bride to be. However, the wedding never happened and Mr. White died as a bachelor in 1872. The house was then bought from the estate by Rev. William Banks in 1876. It was later owned by Rev. J.H. Mack who sold it to A.R. Banks, who used it for a boys dorm for his boys school. In 1893, the house was bought by trial justice Michael O’Connell and has been occupied by the O’Connell family since. Judge O’Connell’s father also named Michael was a native of Ireland who came to America in 1852. He worked on the construction of the State House in Columbia and was the last man to leave the building during the shelling by Sherman’s troops. He later moved to Fort Mill and was a farm dyeing in 1874.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Oct. 4, 1893 – “The Banks High School for Boys and Girls has now been in operation for about one month and has enrolled sixty – seven pupils.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported in an add on Sept. 2, 1896 – “for the Bank’s High School in Yorkville. Classes are to resume Sept. 14th with A. R. Banks in charge.” On Sept. 19 the paper reported that. “Mr. Speight Adams left yesterday for the Banks High School in Yorkville to be prepared for West Point. He will also assist in teaching at the school.”
Click on the More Information > link found below the picture column for additional data or pictures.
Banks, William, public official; born at Fort Mill, S. C., July 12, 1877 ; son of A. R. Banks ; attended Fort Mill Academy, Davidson College, graduate of, 1897; associate editor of the Rock Hill (S. C.) Herald, 1896-97, editor of the Columbia Register, 1897-98, reporter, city editor and news editor of The State, for a time, editor of the Anderson Daily Mail and the Anderson Daily Intelligencer, editor of the Columbia Record, 1915-17, served as vice-president and two terms as president of the S. C. Press Ass’n., is a trustee of the State College at Orangeburg, chairman of the S. C. Public Service Commission ; served as a private in the First S. C. Regiment of Infantry during the Spanish-American War, during World War chairman of the Reclamation Committee of the State Council of Defense, a member of the Committee of Nine, State publicity director for Liberty Loan campaigns, served with the rank of lieutenant colonel on the staffs of Governors Heyward and Ansel; married Louise Vance, Laurens, S. C.; member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Columbia Rotary Club, Columbia, Ridgewood, and Forum Clubs, a York and Scottish Rite Mason, Odd Fellow. Address, Columbia, S. C., Courtesy of Who’s Who in S.C. – 1921
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: