363 East Main Street – Starr and Blackmon Home

City Directories and History: 1917 – T.M. Whisonont, 1922 – Dr. W.R. Blackmon, 1936 – Dr. W.R. Blackmon (Office @111 East Main St.), 1946 – William C. Blackmon. M.D., 1963 – William R. Blackmon, 1975 – Jack Corvin

This was one of the two homes constructed by Rock Hill architect, Mr. Julian Starr,  as a speculative venture, dividing the one lot which he had purchased earlier into two suitable building sites. The home has been lovingly preserved by

Image courtesy of the Gettys Collection.

Mr. and Mrs. Mackey Joe Norman who have lived in the home for decades until the early 21st century.

The home on this lot is reported to R&R to have been moved to #124 Reid Street.

The Rock Hill Record reported on Dec. 5, 1912 -“Dr. W.R. Blackmon, who recently graduated from the Medical Un. of Louisville Kentucky, and who began the practice of his profession in Kershaw, left last week for Rock Hill, where he has accepted a position as house physician at the Fennell Infirmary.  This is an excellent recommendation for Dr. Blackmon and while we regret to lose him as a citizen of Kershaw, we wish him every success in his new field of work.”

The RH Record Nov. 16, 1914 – “J.C. Hardin and C.S. McCrorey have bought the business known as the Rock Hill Furniture Co., on East Black Street from T.M. and C.M. Whisonant and C.A. Drennon. ”

The Herald reported on Feb. 4, 1915 – “That a gas can caught fire on the corner of Main and Academy (Confederate).  Bubber McFadden was putting gas in the car of DeWitt Johnston, an Overland.  He had run out of gas opposite the home of T.M. Whisonant.  McFadden and Tom Creed were filling the tank when the gas ignited.”

Local resident, Johnny Strait posted on Facebook, Aug. 1, 2016 – “In the 50’s, Dr. Frank Strait and Dr. William Blackmon shared offices on the third floor at the back of the Trade Street side of this building. I never knew it had a name until today. Thanks, Wade. My Mom, Elizabeth “Buddie ” Strait, and Lavenia Lineburger were the nurses. Even though we were Strait’s, we were not close relatives of Dr. Strait’s. That was one creepy building to a kid around 10. I still remember seeing big rats in that building. I think Dr. Strait and Dr. Blackmon were some of the last Dr.’s to vacate the building when they retired in the late 50’s or early 60’s.”

Images of the home in Nov. 2018 during the removal of modern siding and restoration of the front porch. R&R.com

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