I grew up in Belton. Both of my parents and grandparents grew up there as well. Both sets of grandparents worked for the old Abney textile mill. My father was bank branch manager for Heritage Federal Savings and Loan. A lot has changed over the years. The square used to be very thriving with stores like Horton’s Pharmacy, Wilson’s Five and Dime, Townhouse Restaurant, The Bank Deli, Mattison Hardware, Rankin’s Clothing, The Jean Shoppe. The first building you were showing was the old Wells Fargo bank, but originally my grandfather had a general store there back in the 1930’s. Lots of good memories growing up there.
Belton, SC has a nice town center, Timothy! The town of Belton, SC, began in the 1850s as the site of a proposed junction of the Greenville-Columbia Railroad and spur line to Anderson, SC. The town was named for Judge John Belton O’Neall, president of the Greenville-Columbia Railroad. The town was incorporated in 1855, and the first Intendant (Mayor) was Charles C. Chamberlain, a railroad supervisor. Area farmers soon made Belton an important local market, which led to McGee’s Hotel being built and becoming a popular stop for travelers on the Greenville-Columbia Railroad. The Rice family was responsible for much of Belton’s growth after the Civil War. In the 1860s, brothers Enoch and Joel Rice started a brick mill and also a traveling cottongin, which made a seasonal circuit among nearby cotton farms. In 1882, the brothers built the Rice Block of buildings on the north side of town square, and the cottongin was placed there. They later operated a cottonseed oil mill and a grist and flour mill. Belton’s first major industry, the Belton Cotton Mill, began in 1900. In 1908, Blair Mills and Rice Mills, owned by the Rice family, opened for business. These three mills were Belton’s largest employers into the 21st century. Blair Mills was the first mill in the nation to manufacture Terry Cloth. In the 20th century, industrial diversification brought plants operated by Goodman Conveyor, Rockwell Automotive, and Wells Aluminum to Belton. Tennis has long been popular in Belton since the late 19th century. The town is home to the Palmetto Tennis Championships, drawing several hundred youth annually.
So true. I love seeing town centers reclaiming their positions as the social gathering places they were always meant to be. They are, after all, the front doors to our communities. Thanks for watching and posting.
I agree. I would love to see some of these businesses, which are all operating in the same cities, spread out to our smaller towns. This would help their business and spur support businesses throughout. Thanks for posting.
Welcome to Belton heres your cat. Lived here a lil over 2 years and never seen so many feral cats and dogs and such rampant animal abuse. Methheads and homeless everywhere. Streets arent safe to walk. Allergies year round. No businesses really to speak of covid and political scandals killed this place im told.
I grew up in Belton. Lived there 30 years. My dad was M.C. Hanley. He owned a store in Belton called Shirt an things. He died in 2009.
Thanks for sharing. My dad has passed too. But thankfully we have our memories of them and the hometowns we grew up in.
I grew up in Belton. Both of my parents and grandparents grew up there as well. Both sets of grandparents worked for the old Abney textile mill. My father was bank branch manager for Heritage Federal Savings and Loan. A lot has changed over the years. The square used to be very thriving with stores like Horton’s Pharmacy, Wilson’s Five and Dime, Townhouse Restaurant, The Bank Deli, Mattison Hardware, Rankin’s Clothing, The Jean Shoppe. The first building you were showing was the old Wells Fargo bank, but originally my grandfather had a general store there back in the 1930’s. Lots of good memories growing up there.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Belton. I hope all of its buildings get filled with great stores once again.👍
I love that you are taking us thru the Palmetto State.
Glad to have you follow along. I have around 10 videos coming up from NC, and then I’ll be back in SC filming more of the beautiful Palmetto State.
Belton, SC has a nice town center, Timothy! The town of Belton, SC, began in the 1850s as the site of a proposed junction of the Greenville-Columbia Railroad and spur line to Anderson, SC. The town was named for Judge John Belton O’Neall, president of the Greenville-Columbia Railroad. The town was incorporated in 1855, and the first Intendant (Mayor) was Charles C. Chamberlain, a railroad supervisor. Area farmers soon made Belton an important local market, which led to McGee’s Hotel being built and becoming a popular stop for travelers on the Greenville-Columbia Railroad. The Rice family was responsible for much of Belton’s growth after the Civil War. In the 1860s, brothers Enoch and Joel Rice started a brick mill and also a traveling cottongin, which made a seasonal circuit among nearby cotton farms. In 1882, the brothers built the Rice Block of buildings on the north side of town square, and the cottongin was placed there. They later operated a cottonseed oil mill and a grist and flour mill. Belton’s first major industry, the Belton Cotton Mill, began in 1900. In 1908, Blair Mills and Rice Mills, owned by the Rice family, opened for business. These three mills were Belton’s largest employers into the 21st century. Blair Mills was the first mill in the nation to manufacture Terry Cloth. In the 20th century, industrial diversification brought plants operated by Goodman Conveyor, Rockwell Automotive, and Wells Aluminum to Belton. Tennis has long been popular in Belton since the late 19th century. The town is home to the Palmetto Tennis Championships, drawing several hundred youth annually.
I love the entrepreneurial spirit that has existed throughout Belton’s history. Thanks for this informative look at it. 👍
@@TimothyFrench You're very welcome, Timothy!
I live here and love everything
Onward to Williamston ,PELZER,West PELZER (tri-city area) 🎉🎉🎉 ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I’m looking forward to seeing Williamston.👍
I had planned on being there the day after I did Belton but got rain out and had a flat tire
Thanks for another interesting tour Timothy.
You’re welcome, Terry
A beehive light wow. Nice to see this town thriving ❤
It is. Thanks. 👍
Thanks for showing my hometown! We are more than The Square. We need some new businesses on The Square. If you open it, people WILL come!!!!!
So true. I love seeing town centers reclaiming their positions as the social gathering places they were always meant to be. They are, after all, the front doors to our communities.
Thanks for watching and posting.
We need someone to bring some Industries , Jobs, to our small town. ❤❤❤❤
I agree. I would love to see some of these businesses, which are all operating in the same cities, spread out to our smaller towns. This would help their business and spur support businesses throughout.
Thanks for posting.
Welcome to Belton heres your cat. Lived here a lil over 2 years and never seen so many feral cats and dogs and such rampant animal abuse. Methheads and homeless everywhere. Streets arent safe to walk. Allergies year round. No businesses really to speak of covid and political scandals killed this place im told.