Easley in Pickens County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bowen's Mill

Photographed By Brian Scott, July 24, 2008

1. Bowen's Mill Marker - Front

Inscription. This mill was built about 1860 by Col. Robert E. Bowen (1830-1909) Confederate officer, state representative, state senator, and Pickens County businessman. Bowen, a prominent advocate for progressive farming, was also active in the railroad and timber industries. In addition to this mill, the complex here included a store, blacksmith's shop, saw mill, and cotton gin.

The mill passed through several owners in the first quarter of the twentieth century, from Bowen's son James O. Bowen to Albert Kay and Kay's widow Tallulah, and then successively to N.T. Waddell, Ida S. Johnson, and a Mrs. Shembosky, who sold it to Hovey A. Lark (1890-1968) during the Depression. Lark ground corn here from the early 1930s until about 1965.

Erected 2004 by Society for the Preservation of Old Mills, Pickens Chapter. (Marker Number 39-11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 34° 51.235′ N, 82° 31.183′ W. Marker is in Easley, South Carolina, in Pickens County. Marker is on Old Saluda Dam Road. Marker is located at the intersection of Old Saluda Dam Rood and Cut Road, near the intersection of Oold

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Saluda Dam and Saluda Dam Roads. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Easley SC 29640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hester Store (approx. 3.1 miles away); Berea First Baptist Church (approx. 3.9 miles away); General Store (approx. 3.9 miles away); Berea School (approx. 4.1 miles away); Dr. Harold B. Sightler (approx. 4½ miles away); Colonel Robert Elliott Holcombe (approx. 5.1 miles away); Captain Kimberly Hampton (approx. 5.1 miles away); Easley, South Carolina (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Easley.

Additional commentary.
1. The Bowen Family
The Bowen family was among the early settlers of the upper part of South Carolina. There is an old plantation on which one branch of this family settled on the waters of Georges Creek, aobut two miles west of the Saluda River, half way between the city of Greenville, and Easley, S.C. A grist and flower mill were built on this place, and after at time a cotton gin and sawmill were added. This mill was known as Bowen's mill, but it has since passed out of the fmailiy, and is now known as Kay's Mill in the early days there was a blacksmith and wagon repair shop located near the mill.

(Source: The Pickens Family,

Bowen's Mill Marker - Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, July 24, 2008

2. Bowen's Mill Marker - Reverse

by Kate Pickens Day, pub. 1951, Hoitt Pub., Greenville, S.C., pg 87.

— Submitted July 25, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Bowen's Mill Structure image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, July 24, 2008

3. Bowen's Mill Structure

Based on the shape of the building, I assume that it was a store but the exact use is unknown.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,010 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.