The building described as a bank was once a local grocery store - Clark's Grocery. The building described as a museum was a gas station and store. I have faint memory of going there with my grandfather. I believe the owner was John Mann.The public park was added in the 1980s. Not a lot to see but thanks for passing through
When you were looking across the street, assuming the building you were looking at was the bank, you were actually standing in front of the bank. The Gulf station is mainly just for looks but you can rent the building adjacent to it for parties and celebrations. The big empty building across the street has housed probably 4-5 banks but they don’t last. Town hall and the fire department are in the big building.
Arrived in August 1948 with my parents and year old twin brothers. Dad was just back from War in Europe. We moved from Rock Hill, SC to a 70 acre farm in the edge of town on East Street. Dad wanted to get his boys out of the city and make our living farming. Big Mistake. Graduated High School there like many other structures no longer exist. At 11 went to work for Clark"s Grocery and Deepie Clark, owner. I was his "Dray Boy" delivering stuff all over town on a bicycle later his Chevy Pickup. The 1st building was a John Deer Tractor dealership. Next was a movie theater with a small balcony. Next to last one was a Pharmacy then bank on corner. Across street was upstars Masonic Lodge even today. Down stars cafe with marble soda fountains and back was another pharmacy. Then Clark's Grocery. Next door was a cafe by Mrs. Mackey. I ate there lots. It has been demolished. The Gulf Station was a gathering place for my father and others to talk politics etc. It was owner by Mr. Bridges. I got gas there. Up 521 about 1/4 mile on right was Spurgeon Blackmon's "Convenient Store". He sold beer in dry county and x-navy men did their gathering to include My Mr. Deepie Clark whom I loved as much as my father. Now there is a real "Convenience Store" in it's place. Back across the street from John Deer 1st was Beecher Horton's Service Station behind the tree. Next was a Barber Shop by Mr. Mackey. Then a Dry Cleaners, a Varitry Store, a Mercantile Business catering to farmers all needs owned by Mr. Williams, next 2 store fronts was another Mercantile owned by the Bridges family. Not shown out back of all these Mercantiles were barns with fertilizer, lumber, wiring, cedar fence post, etc for farmers. Across the street to Stonesboro was another Mercantile owned Bruce Williams. Sold same merchandise to farmers. Side Note: I was at USC in Columbia, SC Bruce got me a job at State Highway Dept. to help my college cost as a Senator in The State House. Next bldg was Earnest Caskey's law office. He read the law and passed the Bar to practice Law. Next was an Insurance Agency run be 2 men. Next was a small brick bldg underneath city's water tower that housed one old fashioned fire truck and city business office. That memorial sits there now. Across the RR tracks to left of the tennis courts was the 2 cell brick Jail now missing.
That seems like a neat little town. Thanks for the tour.
It was. Looks like it would be a great place to live.
Born and bred here. 🩷
The building described as a bank was once a local grocery store - Clark's Grocery. The building described as a museum was a gas station and store. I have faint memory of going there with my grandfather. I believe the owner was John Mann.The public park was added in the 1980s. Not a lot to see but thanks for passing through
Thanks for filling us in on the buildings. I miss the old grocery stores. Most towns today are getting stuck with those dollar generals.
When you were looking across the street, assuming the building you were looking at was the bank, you were actually standing in front of the bank. The Gulf station is mainly just for looks but you can rent the building adjacent to it for parties and celebrations. The big empty building across the street has housed probably 4-5 banks but they don’t last. Town hall and the fire department are in the big building.
Thanks for sharing. The Gulf Station is definitely an eye catcher.
Arrived in August 1948 with my parents and year old twin brothers. Dad was just back from War
in Europe. We moved from Rock Hill, SC to a 70 acre farm in the edge of town on East Street. Dad wanted to get his boys out of the city and make our living farming. Big Mistake. Graduated High School there like many other structures no longer exist. At 11 went to work for Clark"s Grocery and Deepie Clark, owner. I was his "Dray Boy" delivering stuff all over town on a bicycle later his Chevy Pickup. The 1st building was a John Deer Tractor dealership. Next was a movie theater with a small balcony. Next to last one was a Pharmacy then bank on corner. Across street was upstars Masonic Lodge even today. Down stars cafe with marble soda fountains and back was another pharmacy. Then Clark's Grocery. Next door was a cafe by Mrs. Mackey. I ate there lots. It has been demolished. The Gulf Station was a gathering place for my father and others to talk politics etc. It was owner by Mr. Bridges. I got gas there. Up 521 about 1/4 mile on right was Spurgeon Blackmon's "Convenient Store". He sold beer in dry county and x-navy men did their gathering to include My Mr. Deepie Clark whom I loved as much as my father. Now there is a real "Convenience Store" in it's place.
Back across the street from John Deer 1st was Beecher Horton's Service Station behind the tree. Next was a Barber Shop by Mr. Mackey. Then a Dry Cleaners, a Varitry Store, a Mercantile Business
catering to farmers all needs owned by Mr. Williams, next 2 store fronts was another Mercantile owned by the Bridges family. Not shown out back of all these Mercantiles were barns with fertilizer,
lumber, wiring, cedar fence post, etc for farmers.
Across the street to Stonesboro was another Mercantile owned Bruce Williams. Sold same
merchandise to farmers. Side Note: I was at USC in Columbia, SC Bruce got me a job at State Highway Dept. to help my college cost as a Senator in The State House. Next bldg was Earnest Caskey's law office. He read the law and passed the Bar to practice Law. Next was an Insurance
Agency run be 2 men. Next was a small brick bldg underneath city's water tower that housed one
old fashioned fire truck and city business office. That memorial sits there now.
Across the RR tracks to left of the tennis courts was the 2 cell brick Jail now missing.
I loved reading the details of each building and the people who used them. Thank you so much for sharing your memories of Heath Springs.