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

Trains

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 28, 2010

1. Trains Marker

Inscription.
At first the railroads were individually owned. After the Civil War the Southern Railway company turned them into one large system. This made Greenville easily accessible from Atlanta to New York.

Vardry McBee lured early railroad lines to Greenville.

The Greenville & Columbia passenger depot was located in a former residence at the corner of Augusta and Beattie (now Field) Streets. Its first passenger pulled into the terminus on Decemeber 8, 1853.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 34° 50.6′ N, 82° 24.467′ W. Marker is in Greenville, South Carolina, in Greenville County. Marker is on South Main Street/Pendleton Street (State Highway 124), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenville SC 29601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cigar Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); Clay Buchholz (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jim Rice (about 600 feet away); Tommy Lasorda (about 600 feet away); Lou Brissie (about 600 feet away); Al Rosen (about 600 feet away); Joe Anders (about 600 feet away); Chino Smith

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(about 600 feet away); Nolan Ryan (about 600 feet away); John Smoltz (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . .
1. Greenville and Columbia railroad (South Carolina). Construction on G&C was started in late 1840s & finished in 1853. (Submitted on March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Greenville & Columbia. This road was chartered in 1845, construction began in 1849 and was completed in 1854. (Submitted on March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

3. Southern Railway Historical Association. The Southern Railway Historical Association, Inc. is a nonprofit educational/historical organization chartered in North Carolina for the preservation and dissemination of information related to the Southern Railway, it's predecessors and affiliates. (Submitted on March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Vardry McBee
Vardry McBee was perhaps the most pivotal figure in the history of our city and Greenville County as a whole. thanks to his business acumen and impressive foresight for

Trains Marker<br>Railroad Tracks in Distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 28, 2010

2. Trains Marker
Railroad Tracks in Distance

how the community could grow and prosper.

A product of the Carolina frontier, McBee was born in 1775 on the eve of the American Revolution, a conflict that would prove formative in his early years. Both his father and older brother fought with the Patriots, at King's Mountain and the Battle of Cowpens. McBee himself never fought for American independence, but instead used his considerable fortune to improve the lives of his fellow citizens, appropriating his land and fortunes to public projects.

McBee opened the first textile mill on the Reedy River, but he saw value in a diversified economy. In his private business life, that meant he owned two flour mills, a cotton factory, and wool and paper mills. Publicly, even as he approached his 80s, it led him to champion the construction of a railroad line that connected Columbia and Greenville. In 1853, this line became the first rail to serve the community, and it would eventually become a turning point in the economy of the town. (Source: G: The Magazine of Greenville, Jan/Feb 09, pg 66.)

— Submitted March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Vardry McBee<br>June 19, 1775 - Jan. 23, 1864 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

3. Vardry McBee
June 19, 1775 - Jan. 23, 1864

Cigar Warehouse<br>East Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 28, 2010

4. Cigar Warehouse
East Side

Cigar Warehouse<br>South (Front) Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 28, 2010

5. Cigar Warehouse
South (Front) Entrance

West Side of Cigar Warehouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 20, 2010

6. West Side of Cigar Warehouse

Railroad Tracks Snaking Around Flour Field<br>Home of the Greenville Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 28, 2010

7. Railroad Tracks Snaking Around Flour Field
Home of the Greenville Drive

Cigar Warehouse, Railroad Tracks<br>Greenville Downtown in Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 28, 2010

8. Cigar Warehouse, Railroad Tracks
Greenville Downtown in Background

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,050 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on December 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 31, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.