Pelham Mills Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pelham Mills Site (38GR165)
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Pelham Mill Site, 2011
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Pelham, South Carolina |
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| Area | 6.8 acres (2.8 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001954 |
| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1987 |
The Pelham Mills Site is a fascinating historical place in South Carolina. It's where an old cotton factory once stood, right by the Enoree River near Greer. Today, you can still see the ruins of the factory, including stone and brick foundations, parts of old smokestacks, and a strong stone dam across the river.
This site has had a few different names over the years, like the Buena Vista Factory, Hutchings Factory, and Lester Factory. It's a great spot to learn about the history of cotton mills in the area.
Contents
The Story of Pelham Mills
How the Mill Began
The Pelham Mills site is believed to be where the very first cotton mill in the Greenville District was built. It started in 1820 as the Hutchings Factory. A man named Reverend Thomas Hutchings was the founder of this early mill.
Changing Hands and Names
In 1827, Philip C. Lester bought the property, and it became known as the Lester Factory. By 1850, the factory had a new name again: the Buena Vista Factory. It kept this name for many years.
Later, in 1880, the property was sold to the Pelham Manufacturing Company. They officially named their business The Pelham Mills in 1882. This company continued to operate the mill for many decades.
The End of an Era
The Pelham Mills factory was an important part of the local economy for a long time. However, by 1940, the mill was no longer in use. Sadly, a big fire in the 1940s completely destroyed the entire factory complex. All that was left were the ruins we see today.
From Factory to Park
Even though the factory was gone, the land still held historical value. In 1988, a part of the property was given to the county by the Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission. This special donation helped create the Pelham Mill Park. Now, people can visit the park and explore the ruins of the old mill, learning about its past.
