Chiquola Mill Water Tower – Honea Path, South Carolina

The Chiquola Mill located in Honea Path was organized in April 1902 and began operating in 1903. It was in constant operation until January 31, 2003. This was its water tower, which was demolished 20 minutes after this picture was taken.

On October 6, 1934 the Chiquola Mill was the site of a textile union strike. Deputies opened fire into the crowd of at least 500 people who were assembled, killing six and wounding scores. The workers’ demands were eventually met, with dissolution of the union being the only stipulation of management. In the end the union never returned to the town.

Many thanks to Shelley G. Robinson of Honea Path for this great historical information and picture she took in March 2011.

She says that “The Mill was the lifeblood of Honea Path for nearly 100 years. Until the late 1960s, it was virtually the only place to work in town.”