Saluda in Saluda County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Saluda County Stockyard and Livestock Market
Built in 1957, the Stockyard has provided a livestock market for over two generations of farmers. Ralph T. McClendon and Georgia Senator Sam McGill opened this ultra-modern auction barn in Saluda. One newspaper article stated that the barn "is the most modern auction house in its kind in the country (it is air conditioned, gas heated, equipped with theater seats and contains a cafe), and it was built with comfort in mind for the people who use it, both the sellers -- and the buyers, who came from all over the South and from northern and Midwestern states..."
Later, D.C. Herlong became a partner in the business. In 1999 these owners leased the property. Today Buddy Coleman, son of the first barn manager and grandson of "Blind Ben" Coleman, who unloaded the first cow into the facility, is the sole operator of the business, which is still a livestock market and one of only seven in South Carolina.
Erected 2011 by South Carolina Heritage Corridor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 34° 0.89′ N, 81° 46.1′ W. Marker is in Saluda, South Carolina, in Saluda County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (State Highway 121) and West Wheeler Circle, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saluda SC 29138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mr. Philemon B. Waters (approx. 0.6 miles away); Colonel William Barrett Travis (approx. 0.6 miles away); Red Bank Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Saluda Old Town Treaty, July 2, 1755 (approx. 0.9 miles away); Historic Saluda (approx. 0.9 miles away); Clock Donated to the Town of Saluda and Saluda County (approx. 0.9 miles away); Pierce M. Butler / The Palmetto Regiment (approx. one mile away); Travis / Bonham Memorial (approx. one mile away); Saluda County Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); At Old Saluda Town... (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saluda.
Additional commentary.
1. Ralph T. McClendon's Obituary
The Augusta Chronicle
July 11, 2000
Edgefield, S.C. - Mr. Ralph T. McClendon, 83, died Monday, July 10, 2000, at Providence Hospital, Columbia.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Edgefield United Methodist Church with the Rev. Burton Ott officiating. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery.
Mr. McClendon, a native of Edgefield, was a veteran of the Civilian Conservation Corps and had retired as an auctioneer and co-owner of Saluda County Stockyard, Thomson Georgia Stockyard, Wilkes County Stockyard and Lugoff Lifestock Market. He was a master Mason at Concordia Lodge 50, a former board member of Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy, co-founder of Pottersville Museum, and a member of Edgefield County Historical Society, Gamecock Club and Edgefield United Methodist Church, where he was administrative and finance committees chair and a member of R.O. Derrick Sunday School Class.
Survivors include three sons, Carlee T. McClendon, Summerville, Ralph J. McClendon, Saluda, and William Timothy McClendon, Rock Hill; and seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Edgefield United Methodist Church; or to Barr's Chapel Restoration Fund, c/o Edgefield United Methodist Church.
Friends may call at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
— Submitted April 11, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,973 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 11, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.