Volume 5, Issue 4 - Winter Edition | 2021 |
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Doughboy Statue Honors Service and Sacrifice |
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At the bottom of Main Street and just across the railroad tracks, a World War I soldier charges forever forward. With the Farmer’s Market drawing big crowds during the summer and fall, many shoppers strolled over to the Veterans Memorial and read the names of military men and women engraved on the bricks in front. Most of the old Fort Mill names are there along with young men we barely got a chance to know. |
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The “Doughboy”* is a fitting reminder for the times our small town made great sacrifices when called to support our nation at war. During WWI, Fort Mill’s National Guard Unit, Company G, of the 118th Infantry Battalion was part of the 30th “Old Hickory” Division. The Fort Mill company had already spent several months on the Mexican Border when, in 1918 they were activated for what was called “The Great War”. Thrown into action in Belgium and France, Fort Mill’s Company G was front and center in the battles that finally broke the Hindenburg Line.
From Fort Mill’s Company G, numbering around 240 soldiers, twelve men were killed and nearly every soldier in the company was injured during the intense fighting. The population of Fort Mill at the time was under 2,000 so the unit drew men from surrounding towns. The names of two soldiers killed in the fighting are familiar to Fort Mill, Tom Hall and James Bailes.
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Sergeant Thomas Lee Hall was from a farming family in Fort Mill. At the time of his death, the family was living in Springfield, one of the town’s most historic old houses.
Sergeant Hall, who died at 24, received the Nation’s highest honor for exceptional bravery when his platoon was pinned down by machinegun fire. He worked his way to the German bunker and killed the five soldiers in hand-to-hand combat saving his trapped platoon. Sergeant Hall was killed later the same day, October 8, 1918.
His family received his posthumous Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the Bandstand on Main Street. Tom Hall Street, beginning at the top of Main Street, is named in his honor.
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The sacrifice of Sergeant James Eli Bailes, who gave his life four days after Sgt. Hall, was honored when American Legion Post 43 was named after him. Fort Mill soldiers, men and women, have served honorably in all wars and the Fort Mill National Guard Unit continues to serve today.
*The nickname “Doughboys” is believed to refer to the light tan-colored mud which covered soldiers in the trenches of WWI. The FM History Museum has a display featuring a WWI helmet and more information on this subject.
Mike & Cheryl Hill
Fort Mill History Museum Research Team
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You can watch the FMHM Holiday Ornament Unveiling HERE.
To purchase this beautiful keepsake (ornament comes with a history card) for the holiday season, stop by the Fort Mill History Museum anytime during our regular operating hours:
10 AM - 4 PM Wednesday - Saturday
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FMHM Wins
"Most Fort Mill Spirit"
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FMHM's very own Textile Terry and Textile Tammy won the award for "Most Fort Mill Spirit" in this years Annual Fort Mill Scarecrow Crawl!
This year, Textile Terry FINALLY popped the question and Textile Tammy said "YES!"
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Thank you to everyone involved with this years entry and to everyone that voted in this years Scarecrow Crawl. We are already looking forward to next year!
A special "Thank You" goes out to Joe and Flora Doraski. We couldn't have done it without you!
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Fort Mill History Museum would like to recognize one of our outstanding volunteers, Libby Chambers.
Libby moved from Clover, SC to Fort Mill in 1971 after marrying Michael Chambers. These two wonderful individuals celebrated their 50th anniversary this past summer.
Libby received her Masters Degree from Winthrop University in December 1970. She retired from education after 15 years at Indian Land High School and 25 years at Fort Mill High School teaching US history and social studies.
Upon retirement, looking for an opportunity to give back to our community, Libby chose to volunteer with the Fort Mill History Museum, which has become a major passion of hers. She began volunteering with the museum in 2012 and has been our Volunteer Coordinator and Trainer for the past several years. With her vast knowledge of Fort Mill history, she does a great job as docent and handling front desk activities. In addition, she volunteers to work various events throughout the year.
A faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, she has served on the Vestry, the Altar Guild and taught Sunday School.
Libby recently experienced a scare with a rare cancer diagnosis, but has sprung back from successful surgery to continue her interests in her volunteer work with the museum, her garden and book clubs, and church activities! She is one tough and dedicated lady, and most thankful for her loving family and friends whom she feels blessed to have in her life. The museum is truly blessed to have Libby on our team!
Carol Dixon
Fort Mill History Museum Volunteer
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FMHM needs volunteers!! If you would like to be a museum docent, a team lead or work events, the museum has a place for you. Please contact Christia Humburg at christia@fmhm.org.
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Way to Go Everyone! We have crossed the $20,000 mark toward our goal of
“Let’s Make the Mortgage History” Campaign!
The Latest FMHM Grand Club Champions:
Phil & Cynthia Lewis
Nick & Aylett Suhr
The Sanders Family
Thank you, thank you, thank you for these folks stepping up and becoming Grand Club Champions!
Grand Club Champions give $500 (or more) in 2021 and an additional $500 (or more) in 2022 which equals a Grand ($1,000) and helps “Make the Mortgage History”.
So, click here to become a
or to make any donation towards
this great cause!
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Great news! We have reached the $20,000 mark toward our goal of
“Let’s Make the Mortgage History” Campaign!
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Shortly after the Fort Mill Manufacturing Company was chartered in 1887, homes were built for the workers needed to run the operation. While the mill is gone, the community surrounding Walter Elisha Park, where the cotton mill once stood, still contains these modest but well-built homes. |
One of these homes was owned for about 30 years by Blair Little. When he was ready to sell his home, he didn’t want it to belong to just anyone. His mother had worked in the mill, and he had grown up in the neighborhood. He did not want his home to be renovated and “flipped.” He wanted to sell to a family that would love it and make it their own.
That’s what Alex and Shelby Simms have done. Soon after purchasing the home, they welcomed daughter Wren. And they have committed themselves to preserving the home and keeping as much original as possible, while balancing the needs of a modern family.
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They removed interior walls and expanded the kitchen area to create a more open floor plan. They also removed much of the beadboard that covered all of the interior walls so that they could insulate behind the walls and make the home more energy-efficient. And they removed an interior chimney to open up a hallway. They also added a dormer window in the attic space to make a livable second story, which now includes a bedroom and a third full bathroom.
The Simms have enjoyed getting to know their new neighbors and hearing about their stories of time spent in the mills. At the same time, they noted the number of young families buying the homes and bringing a renewed vitality to the neighborhood, ensuring that these strong, old homes will be enjoyed far into the future. If you have stories or pictures of life in the mill village of Fort Mill, please reach out to Megan Brinton, a volunteer with the Museum’s research team, at mbrinton@fmhm.org.
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Megan Brinton
Fort Mill History Museum Research Team
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Did You Know - Fort Mill almost became a part of a new county called Catawba. In 1910 some individuals met in Columbia to discuss the establishment of a new county called Catawba. The new county would consist of the eastern part of York County, the northern “neck” of Lancaster County, and a portion of Chester County. The main driver for forming this new county was to make it more convenient for residents in the eastern part of York County to take care of legal matters. The new county was to make Rock Hill the county seat and thus a courthouse. However, the state constitution would have to be amended to allow a county to be formed with 300 square miles instead of the required 400 square miles. The effort waned and faded away.
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When I was a Fort Mill High School student back in the early 1990’s, Main Street in Fort Mill was, in many ways, the center of activity in town. Every summer, we’d go to the Sport Shack to purchase our band shoes and pants. If we were lucky, Mom might buy us a pair of Umbros, the shorts all of the cool kids were wearing. Walking down the street a bit, we could pop into Martin Drug, where I bought my first lipstick (Wet n’ Wild, of course). On weekends, the Town Creamery was the place for teenagers to hang out and listen to local high school bands.
These days, a lot has changed about Main Street, but it remains a great place to see friends and catch up on the latest town news.
My personal memories of Fort Mill are only about three decades old, but the rich history of the town stretches back for hundreds of years. I’m excited to see the town grow and evolve, but I’m thankful that we have the Fort Mill History Museum to help us remember the past.
As a FMHM board member, I hope to encourage town residents, especially those new to the area, to take time to learn about our town. Fort Mill is an incredible place to call home, and the enjoyment of our community is only made better when we know its history.
Jenny Overman
Fort Mill History Museum Board of Directors
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Fort Mill History Museum
107 Clebourne Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Located in the Fort Mill Historic District
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The Fort Mill History Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Support for this project is provided by the SCPRT TAG, Town of Fort Mill & York County Accommodations Tax, FMHM members and donors.
For visitors information including lodging, contact Visit York County at 803-329-5200.
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