Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Poe Mill
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
1. Poe Mill Marker (Front)
Francis Winslow Poe (1853-1926) established the Poe Mill in 1896. The mill was built adjacent to the main line of the Southern R.R. and the White Oak branch of the Reedy River. The mill and the surrounding village were designed by Joseph E. Sirrine, who was then in the employ of Lockwood, Greene & Co. Sirrines unique design included two smoke stacks and also 238 mill houses. Construction was handled by local contractor Jacob O. Cagle. Production began in March 1896.
The mill was steam-powered and opened with 10,000 spindles and 300 looms. Within a decade, equipment had increased to more than 70,000 spindles and 1,700 looms. They employed 800 workers. A graded school was built in 1902 and the village supported both Baptist and Methodist Churches. During WWII the mill produced duck cloth that was used for tents and women replaced men on the factory floor. The mill closed in 1977 and was destroyed by fire in 2003.
Erected 2019 by F.W. Poe Textile Heritage Society. (Marker Number 23-88.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1896.
Location. 34° 52.181′ N,
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Regionally, this marker is in Upstate. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Greenville Graveyard (approx. 0.4 miles away); "The Poplars" / Elias Earle (approx. half a mile away); Monaghan Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away); Brutontown (approx. 0.7 miles away); Camperdown
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
2. Poe Mill Marker (Back)
Also see . . . Poe Mill. Greenville Textile Heritage Society (GTHS) (Submitted on May 27, 2022.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
3. Poe Mill Marker
Poe Mill's two smoke stacks can be seen in the background.
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
4. Poe Mill Mfg. Co. General Office Building
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
5. Poe Mill Smoke Stacks
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,735 times since then and 142 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 27, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
