Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rock Hill Buggy Company
⎯⎯⎯
Anderson Motor Company
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
1. Rock Hill Buggy Company / Anderson Motor Company Marker
Rock Hill Buggy Company. In 1886 A.D. Holler, who had long owned a wagon and buggy shop in Rock Hill, founded Holler and Anderson Buggy Company with his son-in-law John Gary Anderson (1861-1937). Anderson built a factory here in 1892, with separate blacksmith, woodwork, trim, and paint shops. Renamed Rock Hill Buggy Company, it was known for quality materials and craftsmanship. By 1900 it was an industry leader and sold 6,000 buggies a year.
Anderson Motor Company. The firm became Anderson Motor Company and began building automobiles in 1916. Its first cars were the Anderson Six, a 6-passenger touring car, and the Roadster, a 3-passenger convertible. By 1923 there were 8 brightly-colored luxury cars with innovations such as the first floor dimmer switch. At its peak in 1923 the factory made 35 cars a day. It built the last Anderson in 1924 and closed in 1926. Fewer than a dozen Anderson automobiles still survive.
Erected 2009 by York County Culture and Heritage Museums and the City of Rock Hill. (Marker Number 46-23.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location.
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: World War Memorial (about 800 feet away); Rock Hill Cotton Factory (about 800 feet away); Confederate Heroes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rock Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); The African American Business District Monument (approx. Ό mile away); Jewish Merchants of Rock Hill / A. Friedheim & Bro. (approx. Ό mile away); Old Town Fact (approx. Ό mile away); White Oak (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hill.
Other markers no longer nearby. Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company / Rock Hill Buggy Company and Anderson Motor Company (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Rock Hill Depots / Rock Hill Street Railway (was approx.
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
2. Rock Hill Buggy Company / Anderson Motor Company Marker
Reverse side
Regarding Rock Hill Buggy Company / Anderson Motor Company. The Anderson Motor Company burned on January 7, 1940. As of 2009, there were only 13 Anderson cars still in existence. One was in display at the marker's dedication.
Also see . . .
1. Rock Hill's Short-Lived Auto Manufacturer: The Anderson Motor Company. WFAE website entry (Submitted on January 27, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Rock Hill Buggy Company / Anderson Motor Company. Coachbuilt website entry:
Started originally in 1889 as the Holler & Anderson Buggy Co., a division of the A.D. Holler's Furniture Store. (Submitted on November 25, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
3. Current Structures on site
Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, November 25, 2009
4. Current Structures on site
Photographed by B. Irving Berson, 1926
5. Rock Hill Buggy Company / Anderson Motor Company Marker
Our first family car, an Anderson. NYC circa 1926.
Rock Hill, South Carolina: Gateway to the New South by J. Edward Lee, Anne E. Beard
6. The Rock Hill Buggy Company
Birthplace of the Anderson Motor Company
Birthplace of the Anderson Motor Company
Rock Hill, South Carolina: Gateway to the New South by J. Edward Lee, Anne E. Beard, 1898
7. John Gary Anderson
(1861-1937)
(1861-1937)
Rock Hill, South Carolina: Gateway to the New South by J. Edward Lee, Anne E. Beard
8. 1919 Anderson Car
Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025
9. Missing Marker at intersection of West White and North Wilson sts.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,247 times since then and 148 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 25, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 5. submitted on February 6, 2017, by D. Jordan Berson of Dartmouth, Mass.. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 26, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9. submitted on September 27, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
