The bucolic scene pictured here exists in today’s Anderson County in juxtaposition to a thriving manufacturing corridor. 230 manufacturing companies operate in the county including 11 automotive suppliers, 27 plastics companies, 22 international firms, and corporate headquarters for 26 companies.

Unfortunately, time had taken its tole on the building and it was demolished in October 2009.

SCIWAY thanks Michael R Bannister of Iva for this picture taken in April 2008. Michael tells us that in the early 1900s, Dr. Ernest Watson opened this drugstore and sold family remedies, Nunnally’s candy, fancy stationary, and school supplies.

SCIWAY thanks photographer Michael Lollis of Belton for this picture taken in June 2011.

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.”

Jerry says that “the red barn, assorted farming implements, and Modle A Ford peeking from one bay of the barn presented all of the needed elements for this photo.”

Vincent Flores says that “it was wonderful to see those balloons in different colors when they are inflated. Can’t wait to see the event again.”

Glenn Brill of Anderson says that “Anderson has gained a reputation as a hot air ballooning mecca in the Southeast. My photo was taken during the Balloon Federation of America’s U.S. Hot Air Balloon Championships in 2005. The balloonists were lifting off to navigate their balloons to a target drop, where they would have to try and toss their bean bag onto an “X” on the ground.”

Find out more about this colorful Upstate event.

Interestingly, the tower is not a true standpipe in that standpipes store water throughout their lengths, not just in tanks at top. Another odd fact is that, unlike a lighthouse, the “standpipe” has no stairs inside it. A ladder reaches along the exterior, and water flows through a 10-inch pipe in the tower’s center. The small windows in the wall were included to allow ventilation and visibility during construction.

The tower’s unusual shape helps to evenly distribute its weight. It is constructed from concrete which was poured in stages, giving the tower the illusion of being built of stone!

Still used to store the city’s water supply, the capacity of the water tank within the tower is 165,000 gallons. It is located on McGee Street near its intersection with Campbell Street, one block from Belton’s business district.

In 1987, the first annual Belton Standpipe Festival was held to raise money for renovations needed to preserve Belton’s most distinguished landmark. The image of the standpipe is included in the design of the town seal and is found on the city’s letterhead.

Of note, there is a similar standpipe-style water tower in Walterboro, as well as one in Allendale. These are the only three such towers in South Carolina.

Many thanks to Nancy Hellams who submitted this historic picture taken in 1910. She writes, “This photo was given to me by Nell Seawright Reeves. On the back is the following note written by Virginia Boggs McKnight: ‘Pendleton Cotton Mill Papa (Charles Jackson Boggs) helped build this. A turkey dinner is being served on top the day of completion.’

“Nell Seawright Reeves wrote the following note on the back as well: ‘My father worked here to help build this also, in 1910.’”