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

Union Bleachery

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

1. Union Bleachery Marker

Inscription. The Union Bleaching and Finishing Company began operations in 1903. It was the second custom finishing company in S.C. It was one of four original plants worldwide licensed to use the Sandfordizing Process, which reduced shrinkage of cotton cloth. In 1922, the company was re-chartered as Union Bleachery and had a capacity of 2 million yards per week, making it the largest finishing plant in the South. John White Arrington (1866-1938), who became company president in 1906, was key to the growth of both the plant and the surrounding mill village. The first 35 of 153 homes were built along Arrington and Stephenson Avenues for the employees of the plant who came from surrounding rural sections and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mill owners provided a school, Baptist and Methodist churches, a pasture and barn for farm animals, and a community garden for the workers and their families. A school, church, and homes were also provided by the mill for the black community living near the Bleachery. In 1923, mill owners added a community building with a gymnasium and park. Employees played in the Textile Baseball and

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Basketball Leagues. There was also a nine-hole golf course with black-oiled sand greens.

In 1937, Jess “Doc” Brown was hired as Recreational Director for the community. In 1938, he founded and became editor of The Commentator, a weekly newspaper for the Bleachery community.

Cone Mills acquired ownership of the mill and village in 1947. The plant continued operation under the name Union lBeachery. American Fast Print (U.S. Finishing) bought the mill in 1984. Operations continued until a major fire destroyed a large part of the plant in 2003.

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 1903.

Location. 34° 52.037′ N, 82° 25.6′ 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. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Greenville Textile Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

2. Greenville Textile Heritage Park

Union Bleachery Marker is in the middle.

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: Judson (a few steps from this marker); Woodside (a few steps from this marker); Dunean (within shouting distance of this marker); Camperdown (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Monaghan (within shouting distance of this marker); Brandon Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Piedmont (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.

Also see . . . Greenville Textile Heritage Park.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

3. Union Bleachery Marker

Marker is second from left.

(Submitted on May 29, 2022.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

4. Union Bleachery Marker

Monaghan Mill smoke stack can be seen in the background.

Site of Union Bleachery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

5. Site of Union Bleachery

Union Bleachery WWII Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 14, 2022

6. Union Bleachery WWII Memorial

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 1,036 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.