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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Mt. Carmel in McCormick County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic) |
Mt. Carmel Historical District
Village of Remembrance
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Mt. Carmel Historical District Marker | | |
Inscription.
Mount Carmel, located on the northwestern portion of McCormick County, takes visitors on a trip back in time. The Mount Carmel Historic District is a picturesque example of a late 19th century village.
In the early 1880s Mount Carmel turned into a thriving village when the Savannah Valley Railroad passed through it. In February 1885, the town post office was established. Soon after, with the relocation of the Lodiment Reformed Presbyterian Church to town the population increased. An 1894 business directory of the town lists five general stores, a furniture store, druggist, confectionery shop, grocery, carriage maker, two blacksmiths, two gins, shoe shop, four physicians, two hotels, and seven churches. Most of the buildings in Mount Carmel were built during this period of rapid growth from the 1880s to the 1900s.
On July 30, 1896, a significant portion of the village was destroyed by fire. Four residences and twelve businesses were lost. Brick building quickly replaced the framed buildings that were destroyed. On August 4, 1906, the Town of Mount Carmel was incorporated. As time marched on, residents began to move toward more industrial areas in search of jobs. The arrival of the boll weevil in 1921 directly affected this highly rural location. The great depression of the 1930s dealt a final blow to what prosperity | | | | 
By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 2. McAlister's & Sons Furniture | | The oldest commercial business in McCormick County, selling furniture since 1888. | | |
remained in Mount Carmel.
Today, Mt. Carmel is home to the oldest business in McCormick County, McAlister and Sons Furniture Store. Mt. Carmel is also the sire of Fort Charlotte, now under water, the location where the first overt act of the Revolutionary War took place. Mount Carmel remains today as a reminder of McCormick County's past and hope for tomorrow.
Erected by South Carolina Heritage Corridor.
Marker series. This marker is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor marker series.
Location. 34° 0.434′ N, 82° 30.4′ W. Marker is in Mt. Carmel, South Carolina, in McCormick County. Marker is on Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is located at the intersection of SC 33-95 and Main Street (Highway 81) at the only blinking light in Mt. Carmel. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Carmel SC 29840, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Fort Charlotte (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); Calhoun Mill (approx. 2.5 miles away); Willington (approx. 3.3 miles away); Willington Academy (approx. 3.3 miles away); Cherry Hill / Noble Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Site of Willington Academy (approx. 3.9 miles away); Site of Willington Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.9 miles away); Capture of Fort Charlotte (approx. 4.2 miles away); Fort Boone (approx. 4.8 miles away); Birthplace of Calhoun (approx. 4.9 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Mt. Carmel. | | | | 
By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church | | This unused structure sits at the intersection of Highway 81 and Fort Charlotte Road, behind the Fort Charlotte Marker. | | |
Also see . . .
1. Mt. Carmel Historic District. Mount Carmel is a small town that developed in the 1880s, contemporary with the development of the Savannah Valley Railroad. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.)
2. Mount Carmel, South Carolina. Mount Carmel is a census-designated place (CDP) in McCormick County, South Carolina, United States. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.)
3. McAlisters & Sons. Official website of McAlisters & Sons. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.)
4. Calhoun Mill. Calhoun Mill is a mid-nineteenth century brick building which possesses a high degree of architectural quality, representing a unique and fine example of mill construction. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.)
Additional comments.
1. Captain Joseph Calhoun
Mills had been operating on this site for decades when Calhoun Mill was built. The name is attributed to Captain Joseph Calhoun, a Revolutionary war veteran, and son of William Calhoun, a brother to Patrick Calhoun (and thus cousin to John C. Calhoun). Capt. Calhoun operated a mill here but not the brick structure standing. Calhoun died on October 23, 1838. — Submitted September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 4. Former Mt. Carmel Post Office | | The brick portion of this building once housed the Mt. Carmel Post Office. The structure is now a general store. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 5. Bank of Mt. Carmel | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 6. Turn of the Century Warehouse | | Constructed about 1890, this building has been altered from its original appearance. The original entrance was for set back into the building and the second floor was not supported with columns. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 7. Pond at Calhoun Mills | | A portion of the Little River as it flows past the banks where the ruins of Calhoun Mill now sit. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 8. Calhoun Mill Ruins | | Calhoun Mill sits to the far right. To the left is a red building, possibily once used as a post office. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 9. Calhoun Mill Out Building | | The Calhoun Mills site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 24, 1980. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 10. Calhoun Mill | | Built ca. 1854 on a mill site in use since the 1770s, this large brick building on Little River was used for grinding corn, wheat, and other grains. A post office and various commercial enterprises operated near the mill during the 1800s. The mill yard was a popular place for political rallies and social gatherings well into the 20th century. (From an historical marker once located at the intersection of SC 823 and Road 40.) | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 11. Calhoun Mill | | The mill is significant for its brick construction and for its size, containing three full stories and a basement. The usual manner of grist mill construction produced buildings similar to barns which contained no ornamentation and were almost always built of wood. Mills built of brick and stone are rare in all sections of the country; even more unique is the presence of a hipped roof. Decorative elements include a brick water table, small projecting hood on the third-story facade, corbelled brick cornice, and original nine-over-nine and six-over-nine window sashes. (From National Register Listing information.) | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 12. Mill Front Door | | Covered with vines and guarded by faded and rusted "do not enter" signs. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 13. Covered 3rd Floor Doorway | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 20, 2008 | |
| | | 14. Calhoun Mill Cotton Gin | | The red building in the distance was the mill's cotton gin. | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 397 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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