Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Poinsett

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

1. Poinsett Marker

Inscription. Poinsett Mill sits on Gates Street above the Reedy River alongside the Southern Railway. One of Greenville’s oldest cotton mills, Poinsett was originally established in 1893 as the Gates Desk Company. With renovation in 1901 to be used as a yarn mill, it was re-chartered as Carolina Mills. Mill ownership built 123 homes in the village pf about 200 people. A small house on Birnie Street served as a church and school for the 42 children living in the village. In 1916, the mill, with 26,457 spindles and 726 looms, was reorganized as Poinsett Mill. It was named for SC Statesman, Joel R. Poinsett, an early advocate of southern industry. Augustus W. Smith (1862-1934) became Company President and led in the expansion of the mill. A separate office building was constructed on the site. New streets were added. A company store, barbershop, café, and school were built. Poinsett Baptist church was occupied in 1923 and later renovated as s gymnasium when the existing sanctuary was dedicated in 1967. As mill workers and members moved from the village, the church was sold in 1971 to Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.

In 1928 Brandon, Woodruff,

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Renfrew, and Poinsett Mills merged to become Brandon Corporation. In 1929, mill hands Brandon Poinsett joined workers from Brandon in a 8 week strike to protest “the stretchout”, an attempt by management to increase workloads in the face of declining wages. The strike ended with minimal reforms. Abney Mills gained control of Poinsett in 1949. The mill closed in 1981. The Reynolds Co., a producer of adhesives and coatings, acquired the mill in 1983. With a story of reuse, Poinsett’s polished industrial presence in a century old setting stands as a reminder of Greenville’s Great Textile Heritage.

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 year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 34° 52.073′ N, 82° 25.622′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It 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.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

2. Poinsett Marker

Marker located on far left. Monaghan Mill can be seen in the background.

Touch for directions.

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 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: Poe Mill (here, next to this marker); Slater (a few steps from this marker); Parker High School (a few steps from this marker); Piedmont (a few steps from this marker); Mills Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Monaghan (within shouting distance of this marker); American Spinning (within shouting distance of this marker); Camperdown (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.

Poinsett Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

3. Poinsett Mill

Also see . . . Greenville Textile Heritage Park. (Submitted on May 30, 2022.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

4. Poinsett Mill

Greenville Textile Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

5. Greenville Textile Heritage Park

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 793 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 29, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.