Do You Know?
In working on this website, lots of questions have come up that I can not find the answer to. This page is being set up to ask some of these questions, often strange, and solicit you to send us your answers. Your answer does not have to be the "certified truth", your opinion is also welcomed. Replies will be posted on this page.
Also, if you have a question about Pacolet, send it to me and I will put it on this page.
Send me your answers and questions to No Longer Active .
Pacolet Questions1. Where were the bricks made to build the mills? It is possible that the bricks for the new mill were brought in by rail on the Dummy line. However, the first mills used thousands of bricks that must have been locally made. You would think that some evidence of the clay pits and brick kilns would still exist. One possible clue might be the name of "Quarry Street" that leaves the mill village close to Brewster Street. This is a long way from the stone quarries and does not lead to them.
It appears that at least part of this question has been answered. In the June, 1951 issue of the Neigh newspaper there was an interview with Mr. Charley Wells.(http://pacoletmemories.com/issue651.pdf.) In 1951, Mr. Wells was 76 years old. Mr. Wells had started working for the mill about 1891. One of his first jobs, in 1892, was to help haul the bricks for building the Old Mill (Mill No. 3). He stated the bricks were made near Salem church. This church was on Jerusalem Road and is today known as New Salem Zion Church. He went on to say that the lime for the morter was brought in barrels from a lime kiln at Limestone in Gaffney. The sand was gotten from the river. It seems that the "Quarry Street" name really was a clue to where the bricks were made. Even today, "Quarry Street" leads to the road named "Zion Church Road". This road connects to Jerusalem Road right at Zion Church.
Google Earth maps show a small lake and an open area near the church that might be related to the brick making.
2. What was the name of the little store just outside White Rose Cemetery and across the road from Pine Street on the road to Maysville?
Several people have identified this as "Brown's Store" but not much else is known.
3. Who was Brewster that the street was named after?
4. What year was the ballpark built?
5. What was the purpose of the "Duck Pond"?
Gene Campbell had an answer for this. The Duck Ponds (there were two) were used to collect water to be used in the town's firefighting system. Water from these ponds was collected in tanks that were connected to the fire hydrants. One was near the Elementary School at the top of the Hotel Hill and the second Duck Pond was near the intersection of Brewster Street and Quarry Street.
6. During the great flood, how far up Limestone Street did the water reach? (On the Methodist Church side?)
7. Before the Dummy Line, for many years, raw cotton and finished cloth had to be transported to and from Pacolet Station by large wagons pulled by horses and mules. Exactly where was the road for this in the mill village? ( The direct route, by way of Hotel Hill, seems way too steep.)
8. How did the Pacolet Mills Elementary School become known as "The Grand Old Lady"?
This web site has been started as a public service to share the story of Pacolet.