Items

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  Parthenia Foster Pilgrim

  Mrs. Pilgrim was Idell Dodd's grandmother and the mother of Teretha McClain. Her husband, Perry Pilgrim, was born Sept. 9, 1852 and died March 20, 1912.
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  Idell McClain Dodd

  Idell worked for Mrs. Verne Smith, Sr. doing her clothes shopping and putting together Mrs. Smith's outfits every morning. She was the granddaughter of Parthenia Pilgrim and the daughter of Teretha McClain.
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  Acts and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, Passed at the Regular Session of 1875-76. Including Act 183 to Incorporate the Town of Greer's.

  The Act to Incorporate is number 183, and appears in the original book on page 169. In this PDF file, it is page 193.
• Bailes Collins Building

  "George Bailes and Roy E. Collins opened the Bailes Collins Store in 1928. Around 1938, Collins became sole owner. Three generations worked in the store." In May 1995, Roy Collins donated the use of the building for one year to the Greer Heritage Museum, with the option of renewal for low rent. During the summer, the building was renovated with air conditioning, displays, lighting, carpeting, etc. The Museum was housed on Trade Street until 2009, when it moved to the former city hall.
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  Photograph: portrait of Olin Gaines and family

  Cabinet Card photograph embossed with a very early Drace stamp: "C.W.Drace, Greers, S.C." The photograph shows Greer's first telegraph operator, Olin Gaines; his wife, Taccoa Cannon Gaines; son Charlton; and daughter Margarite. Olin A. Gaines was Greer's first telegraph operator, working for the Southern Railroad for 20 years. He then worked with Victor Monaghan for 35 years, and was assistant paymaster by the time of his death on August 17, 1936. This photo card was mounted in a memory album, and later cut out of it. A large piece of the album page remains around the photograph, and notes about the family are written on it. On the back are torn areas where things were removed from the album, and a couple partial documents: an admission ticket to a Greenville Horse Show, and an exhibitor tag from the 1946 Savannah Horse Show Assn.
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  Photograph: portrait of C. W. Drace

  Original photograph of Charlie Drace, originally mounted in a memory album, then cut out.
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  Photograph: Old Soldier's Reunion at Wood Mendenhall Co.

  Photograph of an early building of Wood-Mendenhall, exact location unknown. Gathering of war veterans.
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  Photograph: the grave of fireman Carl Miller
• Chester and Ruth Duckett

  Chester Duckett was born to Thomas Duckett and Nancy Anderson Duckett. He had 5 brothers and one sister. He and his siblings were raised on a farm owned by the Dillard family. As a young boy, he vowed to never raise his family on a farm to work the fields. He and his family were members of Entree Fork Baptist Church where he was active and remained a member. At an early age, he hoboed to Washington, DC. He worked there for a short time before returning back to Greer, SC. During this time, he met Ruth Brooks at a fish fry. After dating for a time, they were united in marriage. He served in the US Army during WWII. During his time in the service, his wife, Ruth, saved money for them to purchase their first and only house. During their marriage, they had 12 children. Sadly, one became ill at just a few weeks old and passed. After serving in the US Army, Chester returned home and continued his education, taking up masonry. His trade allowed him to travel and work in NC for a short time. After returning home to Greer again, he went into business with Hubert Mayfield and Benjamin Griffin, forming the Mayfield, Griffin, and Duckett Brick Masons. He later ventured out on his own. His masonry works are still standing throughout areas in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties and Chapel Hill, NC. When he decided to retire from his business, he turned it over to four of his sons. Chester loved spending quality time with his wife and children. There was no hesitation for his to take his family on a Sunday outing. They would often visit cousins and friends or just go for a ride in the country or visit nearby NC. During the holidays, family was always invited over for dinner. He often spoke words of wisdom to his children and grandchildren, often encouraging them to go to school and get a good education. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and looked forward to seeing them when they returned home on any occasion. His wife Ruth was the daughter of Louvenia Brooks Butler. She attended the one room Ansel School and graduated from Dunbar High School. Afterwards, she became a domestic worker. Although she served many families over a span of 60 years, her heart was set on being a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. As a mother, she was often in the kitchen cooking, canning, and freezing fresh vegetables and fruits. She also enjoyed sewing and making quilts. She was a very supportive mother and was involved in her children's education. She was a member of Maple Creek Baptist Church where she was an active member and a member of several organizations. She, along with Ms. Edith Mack and Ms Faview Bennett, organized the Maple Creek Sunbeams, an organization for the children in their church. Chester and Ruth provided a loving and caring home for their children. Because of this upbringing, their children provided many opportunities for them to travel. Although Chester had promised never to fly again after serving in WWII, his wife took advantage of every chance. She enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, going on cruises and visiting her children in other parts of the country. At the age of 92, while visiting her family in Maryland, she traveled to Washington, DC where she met President Barak Obama, his wife, Michele, and Vice President Joe Biden during the 2009 Inauguration. She once said, "I never thought I would see this day." She was so thrilled. On November 30, 2005, at the age of 92, Chester died after a long illness. At the time of his death, he and his wife had been married for 72 beautiful years. Surrounded by her children, on the morning of March 19, 2012, Ruth passed at the age of 95 in her home.
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  Mr J.D. Cox

  J.D. Cox was born June 26, 1914 in Spartanburg County, SC. His parents were the late Rev. Clinton and Stella Cox, of Greer, SC. Mr Cox was tenth of eleven children. He and his family attended Maple Creek Baptist Church where many of his relative continue to be active members today. During his youth he sang in a gospel quartet with his nephew, Luther Martin, Jr., brother, Newport Cox, and cousin, Woodrow Cox. After growing up in Greer, he worked at a local funeral home before joining the army. During WWII, he served 5 years in the US Army. His leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills became apparent, and he was ultimately promoted to Staff Sergeant. He received several medals and ribbons including the Bronze Star. His foreign service included both Europe and Okinawa. While in Central Europe, he managed and directed crucial engineering and construction projects. During military training, J.D. Cox was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. While there, destiny was fulfilled when he met and later married the love of his life who was attending college at Fayetteville State Teachers College near the army base. When the war was over, J.D. and his wife, Classie, moved to Schenectady, NY to join his brother the Rev. L.C. Cox. After a short stay in Schenectady, they moved to Milwaukee, WI, joining another Greer native who relocated earlier, his nephew, Luther Martin, Jr. While living in Milwaukee, J.D. worked for General Electric for 35 years before his retirement. His wife, Classie Cox, taught with Milwaukee Public Schools approximately 35 years before her retirement. J.D. was a member of the Greater Galilee Baptist Church in Milwaukee, WI, where he sang with the male chorus, served on the Trustee Board, and volunteered with the Hot Meals Program. He and his wife were the parents of 3 children: James Cox, Richard Cox, and Kathy Cox-Swope Williams. He also has a daughter, Joan Hood, who was born in Greer, SC and lives in Milwaukee, WI. Mr. J.D. Cox passed away on January 26, 2001. He was 86 years old. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grand-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
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  Reverend Clinton Lafayette Cox

  Rev Cox was a Baptist minister who served at the Flint Hill Church and also traveled the south as an itinerant preacher. He was married to Stella Austin, and they had 12 children. His special talent was caning chair seats.
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  Prudence Elvira Cooper Ballinger

  Prudence Elvira Cooper Ballinger, 101, entered into eternal peace on Friday, July 12, 2013, at her home. Prudence was born February 1, 1912, the youngest daughter of the late Marcel and Nannie Todd Cooper and wife of the late George Ballinger. She graduated from Simpsonville High School on March 29, 1932 as the valedictorian. She then furthered her education and graduated from The Lincoln Institute of Practical Nursing in 1957. She began working at Greenville General Hospital as a Nurse's Aide and was transferred to the newly built Allen Bennett Hospital in Greer to train nurses and orderlies. She worked for Allen Bennett for 36 years. She retired from Allen Bennett in 1977. But she was not ready to sit at home. Ms. Ballinger then began to work for Upjohn HealthCare Services as a Home Health Aide. She worked for them for 18 years. At the same time, she sat privately with patients. Not only was Prudence a dedicated employee in caring for those that could not care for themselves, she was a dedicated woman of God. She was baptized at an early age at Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC. She was very active at Cedar Grove and even assisted her father as secretary of the Reedy River Baptist Association. The Historical Society of Simpsonville came to her for information to write a book of the history of Simpsonville. Cedar Grove Church also came to her to help them write the history of their church. Upon moving to Greer, she joined Maple Creek Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully. Her life was predicted on servanthood. As a dedicated member of Maple Creek Church in Greer, SC, she served as a Sunday school teacher for 35 years. She also served as Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant superintendent for over 35 years. She was known to be the first to arrive on Sunday mornings to get everything in place for Sunday school. But the ministry that was most dear to her heart was the Usher Board. Ms. Ballinger was a member of the Maple Creek Usher Board for some 68 years and served as President for a majority of those years. Even after she was not able to stand at the door due to pain in her legs, she still came to church dressed in her white uniform! She even served as past Chaplain of the Entree River Ushers Auxiliary. As she increased in age, she became the mother of the church. Prudence was very independent! She had a garden she worked in with a plow until she was in late 80s. She could swing an ax at 99 better than any man! And she drove her little black car until she turned 98. The only reason she gave up driving was the DMV would not renew her license. She lived alone until one month before her death. She cooked for herself and cleaned her own house. And she dared anyone to try to assist her! Many would ask her what her secret to longevity was. She would simply say that she honored her mother and father. For she took God at His word (Exodus 20:12)! She took care of her own mother until her mother passed away at the ripe age of 103! Her lifelong wish was to be able to care for herself and not be a burden to her family. She was very reluctant to accept how old she was, until her great-granddaughter received a copy of the census record that proved she was 6 years older than what she had been telling everyone. But when she turned 100, she was thrilled! A birthday party was thrown for her at her home in 2012. At that time, she was presented with a proclamation from the City of Greer, SC by the Honorable Wayne Griffin. She was so happy to have her family including her nieces and nephews from Baltimore, MD and Atlanta, GA along with several church members. She was predeceased in death by her parents along with her sisters: Mrs. Lucille Westmoreland, Mrs. Gertrude Jackson, Mrs. Eliza Harris, Mrs. Nannie Mae Simpson, and Mrs. Hayzette Owens and her brothers: Mr. Mancel Cooper, Jr. and Mr James Cooper. She leaves behind to cherish fond memories her daughter Ms Hazel Lee Rice of Taylors, SC; her granddaughter Mrs Ettie Pearl (Jesse) Booker of Taylors, SC; two step grandsons Rev. Edward Ballinger of Greer, SC and Mr Edward Earl Rice of Brooklyn, NY; and two loving great-granddaughters Miss Shankar Samecious Benson and Miss Laratifter Denise Benson of Taylors, SC. She also has a host of additional great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. All those that had the pleasure of meeting her knew her as a very kind and gentle soul; she had a loving and generous heart, and was always giving and taking care of others. She epitomized the Proverbs 31 woman. She was a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman. She was far more precious than jewels, and her value was far above rubies or pearls. Strength and dignity were her clothing, and her position was strong and secure. When she opened her mouth, it was in skillful and godly wisdom, and on her tongue was the law of kindness. Her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews rose up and called her blessed. She was loved by all and is missed immensely!
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  Slave Birthdates 1858-1961

  This information came from a "Day-Book" owned by Henry Samuel Gibson (1816-1891), a blacksmith, shoe cobbler, and general store owner. He kept this "Day-Book" in which he noted births, the accounts of his blacksmith shop and records of groceries and general merchandise which he sold. The business was located in the area of what is now the Gibson Ball Field off of Hwy. 14, north of Greer, SC.
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  The Harmonizing Quintet of Inman, SC

  The Harmonizing Quintet was an active group in the 1940s that often performed on WSPA Radio shows, such as Farmer Gray and the Gospel Hour. Members: Henry Jones, Henry Black, "Geek" Johnson, David Murphy, Richard Smith, Stenson Murphy David Murphy lived in Greer on Hampton Road.
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  Needmore Community and Recreation Center

  In the Greer City Directory of 1915, there are 4 black neighborhoods listed: Greentown, Needmore, Maple Creek, and Slabtown, which would be later known as Sunnyside. The Needmore community is described as "a colored people settlement, lies half mile north of city on National Highway" (W. Poinsett Avenue), which was the major road for travel between Greenville and Spartanburg. One of the outstanding citizens of the community was James S Jenkins Jr., known as Jim, who was a master brick mason. Mr. Mason, who moved to Greer in 1898, worked on the original manholes along Emma Street (W. Poinsett St.) and is credited with building the brick smoke stacks of Franklin Mill in 1900. He was also a charter member of Maple Grove Baptist Church and worked to raise funds for the Bailey View Academy in Greentown so that African-American children would have a school to attend in Greer. After Bailey View burned in 1924, Dunbar was built in Sunnyside, but the Needmore community desired a school closer to their homes. In 1936, Greer School District authorized a two-teacher school for African-American children if the community would provide the land and building. In 1937, property was donated by B.D. Henson for that purpose, and the community raised funds. In the midst of the Depression which was followed by WWII, the school district failed to act, citing lack of money to proceed. It was not until the 1950s that a school was opened in the neighborhood in a war surplus Quonset hut that was moved to the site on Canteen Avenue. The neighborhood children attended this school for 4 or 5 years until Lincoln, between Greer and Taylors, was completed in the mid-1950s. After the school closed, the Quonset hut was used by an African-American men's club. Citing problems with the club, the city purchased the land in 1959, removed the old barracks, and constructed the Needmore Center as part of the Recreation Department building program the also produced the Tryon Street Park and Recreation Center. The city had asked the public to vote for a $100,000 bond to initiate the building program and had been turned down. The Joycees pushed for passage, and the community responded by passing it the second time it was on the ballot. Land was added several times to expand the Needmore Park area. Land for the tents court was bought from the Harrison family. John Henry Lyles, an African-American teacher at Lincoln and later Greer Middle School, was hired part-time to run an after-school program. One of his sources of funds for programs was the concession stand at the center. Another school teacher, Benny Brown, was also a director of the center. When the center fell into disrepair, there was talk of removing the building. The community urged the city to keep the center as a much-needed recreational and educational facility for their neighborhood, prompting Council Woman Martha King to put her neighborhood redevelopment funds into the renovation of the center. Phyllis Wheatley Center took on the programming at the center until a disagreement on funding caused this organization to leave and the city to take on the operation of the center. Today there is an active senior citizen program that is attended by both African-Americans and whites. Senior Action sends lunch meals, and programs are planned by a director. In 1997, Ms. Agnes Davis Young, Senior Program Manager, was recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly for "her outstanding dedication as the Director of Senior Citizens, City of Greer." The donation of computers to the center helped young people in the after-school program. Other programs make use of the center, such as the children's theater that often holds its auditions in the large meeting room. It is also a city polling location. Located in the middle of the Needmore Community, the center is an easy walk for most of its citizens and provides an identifying landmark for the neighborhood.
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  Ella Jane Nesbitt

  Although Ella Jane Nesbitt was born in Asheville, NC, her roots are Greer. Ella and her sister came to live with their grandparents on Stokes Street in the house which their mother's sisters had bought for their parents. One of the aunts was a schoolteacher who taught at a rural black school. As was the custom, she lived with a family through the week and then came home to Greer on weekends. When Ella was in junior high at Dunbar, an aunt in Washington, D.C. requested that Ella come live with her to assist her during a period of poor health. In Washington, Ella went to vocational school and studied cosmetology. In 1947, her daughter Norma Jean was born. But when Norma Jean was 3 months old, Ella returned to the family home on Stokes Street and began to fix hair. A SC licensed cosmetologist, she operated the Nesbitt Beauty Shop from 1947 until 2006 when she decided to retire and not renew her business license with the city of Greer. Ella says that in the early day, people had their hair done mainly for special occasions. Line Huff fixed hair in her home in the same Sunnyside neighborhood. In Needmore, Helen Thompson, also a licensed cosmetologist, had a shop in the rear of the house where her sister owned the Thompson Funeral Home on Forest Street. When Ella started, she fixed hair in the house until the family built her a room by enclosing the end of the porch for her shop. After a board inspector told her that she needed a restroom for her customers, she enlarged the shop by adding a room to the porch space. Then she had space for 2 chairs and a partner. Ella says that she was happy working solo. One day Frances Miller, who lived across the street and worked at another shop in the neighborhood, asked if she could join Ella. Not wanting to make too quick a decision, Ella had to think about it. But Ella's cousin urged her to take Frances into the shop. "She'll make a good partner." Ella admits that although things weren't always perfect, they did indeed make good partners. "We got along fine. Some people moved from my chair to hers, but some of her people moved to my chair." They were partners for 50 years. Customers came from Greer, Duncan, and Wellford. Some of her customers were Dunbar teachers. Mrs. Callahan, who lived across the street at the Callahan Funeral Home, was a first grade teacher who had Ella style her hair. Ella remembers Mrs. Vance, who also taught at Dunbar. "She lived with our family while teaching school. That was done then. Families kept the teachers. She had me do her hair." Ella says, "Most women came for a wash, press, and curl." She can't remember the cost when she started, but thought that it was about 75 cents or maybe $1.00. She still has her pressing combs for straightening hair and the different size curling irons to put back some curl. The combs were placed into the box of a small electric heater. After gas was run to the house, she used a gas jet where she laid the pressing comb on top to heat very quickly. She then pulled the comb through the customer's hair away from the scalp to avoid burns. Ella's gas jet is a small appliance made decorative by placing the heating element on the top of a silver turtle's back. When asked what she enjoyed most about her career, she says, "I enjoyed the job-- period. I enjoyed people and the work." In 1976, she was awarded the SC State Cosmetology "Woman of the Year." The plaque that hangs proudly in her shop says, "in recognition of your contribution, hard work, and unselfish endeavors." She is proud of this honor, but she is most proud of her girls: daughter Norma Jean Nesbitt Givens who earned a doctorate, a granddaughter who is also a teacher, and two great granddaughters.
• Edward Mosely

  Edward Mosely, a brick maker, arrived in early August, 1895 to begin making bricks for the new textile mill.
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  Housing & Clothing: Food Volume 3, Civil Defense Notebook, 1942

  Housing & Clothing: Food Volume 3, Civil Defense Notebook, 1942
• Photograph of J. W. "Doug" Gregory
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  Suber's Corn Mill
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  Photograph: bank robbery in progress, 2 of 2

  Black and white original photograph of a bank robbery in progress; man in coat and ski mask is turned away from the teller and moving toward the exit, taken by an automated film camera in the bank. On top left corner is written in ball-point pen a small number "11." On the back is written a small number "6." The depositor, Paul Green, thinks he received these two photographs from the FBI while investigating the robbery.
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  Photograph: bank robbery in progress, 1 of 2

  Black and white original photograph of a bank robbery in progress; man in coat and ski mask holding pistol toward a teller, taken by an automated film camera in the bank. On top left corner is written in ball-point pen a small number "10." On the back is written a small number "29." The depositor, Paul Green, thinks he received these two photographs from the FBI while investigating the robbery.
• Trotting Sally: The Roots and Legacy of a Folk Hero Author: John Thomas Fowler

  Book: Trotting Sally The Roots and Legacy of a Folk Hero Author: John Thomas Fowler Signed by the author 3/22/2014 John Thomas Fowler tells two tales; the story of Trotting Sally, a once familiar street musician to residents of the upcountry of South Carolina and Western North Carolina; and the real man few knew-George Mullins, who lifted himself out of slavery and built a new life, brick by brick. Fowler flushes out the public figure and reveals the private man behind one of the Carolina's most famous and elusive turn-of-the-century African Americans.
• Booklet: Lily Hand Weaving Looms and Equipment catalog

  catalog of looms and supplies manufactured by the Lily Mills Company, Shelby, North Carolina
• Book: A History of North Greenville Junior College