What was William Gregg known for?

What was William Gregg known for?

William Gregg (February 2, 1800 – September 13, 1867) was an ardent advocate of industrialization in the antebellum Southern United States and the founder of the Graniteville Mill, the largest textile mill in South Carolina during the antebellum period.

Who built the first New England style mill in South Carolina?

NRHP reference No. The Graniteville Historic District encompasses one of the first textile company towns to be established in the Southern United States. Built in the late 1840s by William Gregg near Aiken, South Carolina, and now known as Graniteville, it was modeled after New England mill towns.

Is William Gregg from the Aiken community?

A Move From Charleston By the time Gregg made Aiken his permanent home in 1845, he was quite wealthy. The Graniteville Manufacturing Company Mill and village were constructed on the banks of Horse Creek – then Edgefield County and today, Aiken County – six miles from the City of Aiken.

When did Avondale Mills close?

2006
Disaster struck when, on the morning of January 6, 2005, a train accident outside of the Graniteville, South Carolina, mill caused a massive chemical explosion that killed 9. In 2006, as a result of the Graniteville disaster and increased competition from overseas, Avondale formally shuttered its operations.

When was Graniteville founded?

1845

Graniteville, South Carolina
State South Carolina
County Aiken
Founded 1845
Area

Who owned Avondale Mills?

Walton Monroe Mills Inc.
Walton Monroe Mills Inc. purchased Avondale Mills in 1986. In 1995, the owning firm acquired the textile operations of the Graniteville Company. Disaster struck when, on the morning of January 6, 2005, a train accident outside of the Graniteville, South Carolina, mill caused a massive chemical explosion that killed 9.

Where did Pell City get its name?

Pell City was founded in 1890 by railroad investors and named after George Pell of the Pell City Iron and Land Company, one of its financial backers. The city was incorporated on May 6, 1891, but nearly failed during the Panic of 1893.

Is Graniteville SC a nice place to live?

Graniteville is in the 16th percentile for safety, meaning 84% of cities are safer and 16% of cities are more dangerous. The rate of crime in Graniteville is 49.54 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. People who live in Graniteville generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest.

What is the history of the Graniteville Mill?

Graniteville dates to 1845 when visionary William Gregg purchased 7,952 acres near Horse Creek in Aiken County and received his charter for the Graniteville Manufacturing Company, more commonly known as Graniteville Mill.

Who was William Gregg and what did he do?

Gregg saw himself as the moral guide of his burgeoning community. This beautiful Victorian home was built for William Gregg in 1845 and sits directly across the street from the mill he founded. The house was later sold to James Reardon who was an 80-year employee of the mill.

What happened to the Graniteville Company?

For many years, the market referred to the company as McCampbell Company, Graniteville’s marketing and sales arm. However, when Mr. Sam Swint Sr., President of the Graniteville Company, took the company public in the late 1950s, the McCampbell marketing name was discontinued.

What is the history of Graniteville Academy?

Graniteville Academy, now Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, was sold to Aiken County in 1960 and currently operates as an Aiken County public school. The Graniteville Manufacturing Company, which once owned and maintained the community’s housing, sold all of the small mill homes to private owners by the 1960s.

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