Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Judson
Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
1. Judson Marker
Inscription.
Judson. . In early 1910, J. Irving Westervelt (1862-1939) was chosen by a northern textile machinery coalition to manager their new southern textile mill venture. Lockwood, Greene, and Company was chosen to design the village and mill. Gallivan Construction of Greenville would be the contractor. The mill’s original capitalization was 10,000 shares valued at $100 per shares - $1,000,000. The mill opened in March, 1912, with a two story 56,000 spindle spinning room and a one story 1,200 loom weave room. 200 employees and families, living in 75 houses, produced fine quality lawn handkerchief material. Bennette E. Geer, a Furman University English professor, was named mill president in 1912. He urged the mill name to be changed to Judson Mill, honoring his long time Furman mentor and friend, the late Charles Judson, university treasurer and mathematics professor. By 1917 Judson was expanding to produce a blend of Japanese silk with long staple cotton. In 1924 a small building was purchased and homes built across from the mill and became known as Judson Silk Mill or Judson No. 2, producing pure rayon and silk products. As the 1930s Depression was approaching, Judson prided its school which had over 600 students enrolled. The 1934 Strike divided employees so severely that the Baptist church was closed for a period of time. By 1939, Judson had three churches, a school, a Community building and baseball field…all located around the famous “Judson Crossing” and intersection between Judson and Brandon. Prior to World War II, under new owner, Deering-Milliken, Judson was the first Greenville textile community to start selling off their homes. The closed mill and village were placed on the National Historic Registry in 2018.
In early 1910, J. Irving Westervelt (1862-1939) was chosen by a northern textile machinery coalition to manager their new southern textile mill venture. Lockwood, Greene, and Company was chosen to design the village and mill. Gallivan Construction of Greenville would be the contractor. The mill’s original capitalization was 10,000 shares valued at $100 per shares - $1,000,000. The mill opened in March, 1912, with a two story 56,000 spindle spinning room and a one story 1,200 loom weave room. 200 employees and families, living in 75 houses, produced fine quality lawn handkerchief material. Bennette E. Geer, a Furman University English professor, was named mill president in 1912. He urged the mill name to be changed to Judson Mill, honoring his long time Furman mentor and friend, the late Charles Judson, university treasurer and mathematics professor. By 1917 Judson was expanding to produce a blend of Japanese silk with long staple cotton. In 1924 a small building was purchased and homes built across from the mill and became known as Judson Silk Mill or Judson No. 2, producing pure rayon and silk products. As the 1930s Depression was approaching, Judson prided its school which had over 600 students enrolled. The 1934 Strike divided employees so severely that the Baptist church was closed for a period of time. By 1939, Judson had three churches,
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a school, a Community building and baseball field…all located around the famous “Judson Crossing” and intersection between Judson and Brandon. Prior to World War II, under new owner, Deering-Milliken, Judson was the first Greenville textile community to start selling off their homes. The closed mill and village were placed on the National Historic Registry in 2018.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Greenville Textile Heritage series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1912.
Location. 34° 52.046′ N, 82° 25.601′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. Marker is on Ravenel Street west of Smythe Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker located in Greenville Textile Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenville SC 29611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Bleachery (a few steps from this marker); Dunean (a few steps from this marker); Camperdown (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodside (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Monaghan (within shouting distance of this marker); Piedmont (within
Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022
2. Judson Marker
Marker located second from right.
shouting distance of this marker); Brandon Mill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 29, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.