The History of Fort Mill, South Carolina

The history of Fort Mill, South Carolina comes to life as one travels down memory lane or does genealogy research on an ancestor or a loved one.

Mr. Rufus Sanders, vice chairman of the Fort Mill History Museum, found that his father once worked in the Acme Barber Shop that was opened on February 13, 1925 by Mr. Dennis R. Parks.

Mr. Parks hired John Lester Sanders, Jr., a young boy who negotiated his fee for shining shoes. This was Rufus' father, who would later become an employee of Mills Hardware and later, a merchant himself. John Lester grew up in Fort Mill, the son of farmers. His mother died when he was 13 and Sanders then left school to help support seven brothers and sisters. He shined shoes at the barber shop and is still known among Fort Mill acquaintances as "Shine", a nickname he earned in the mid-1920s. He's proud of it!


This same building at 118 Main Street is now home for the Fort Mill History Museum interim office and gift shop. This little building was built between 1895-1900 by Mr. N. L. Carouthers, then owner and operator of the Acme Barber Shop. The building has maintained its integrity over the years with the exception of an alteration in the facade in 1947 when the owners needed a jewelry store showcase. The building has been home to many businesses over the years - the barber shop, jewelry store, finance company, beauty salon, security company, computer store, gift shop, artist studio and now an office and museum gift shop.

The Fort Mill History Museum office is located directly across the street from Confederate Park, which was begun about 1890 with a gift of land from Captain Samuel Elliott White, a captain in the Confederate Army. Captain White donated the land and called for donations from the public for sculptures.

The park's four monuments are dedicated to the soldiers of the Confederacy (erected in 1891); the women of the Confederacy (1895); the faithful black slaves (1895); and the Catawba Indians who served in the Army. This last monument was added to the park in 1900, after being donated by Captain White and John McKee Spratt, both descendants of pioneer families. Confederate Park and its prominent "bandstand" have been the chief gathering spot for citizens since 1890.

Patriotic Homage: On May 21, 1895 an unveiling of a monument dedicated to "Women of the Confederacy" took place in Confederate Park on Main Street in Fort Mill, SC. The second of four monuments erected by Captain Samuel Elliott White, for which he provided much of the cash and most of the drive with the approval of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Association. The monument is a testimonial to women who were loyal to the Confederacy, who nurtured the families and home front when men went off to war. It is one of the earliest acknowledgements to women and their sacrifices to the town. It was the first such statue to be erected anywhere honoring Confederate women. Esther Phifer Allison White, spouse of Samuel Elliott White served as First Vice President until her sudden death in April 1903. The Ladies of the Confederate Memorial Association of Fort Mill, in paying tribute to her memory, say: "She was our first vice president and the most ardent and influential member of the Association. Her wise counsel, prudent forethought and prompt liberality made her our moving spirit and popular leader." Read more....... View details about Fort Mill Women in History - Saturday, March 31, 2012

Take a walk through downtown Fort Mill and experience the history of this community. The train rumbling through town takes one back to the 1800s. Most of the buildings on Main Street date from the late 1800s to mid 1900s, having been rebuilt following a series of fires which destroyed many of the early frame buildings.



There is so much more history of this community to share - historic events, places, and the people who have made Fort Mill what it is today. We will be bringing those stories and much more to you through this website and on Facebook. Visit with us often!!

We invite you to also visit with us at the Fort Mill History Museum office and gift shop at 118 Main Street, Fort Mill, South Carolina. View our online Museum Shop to see some of the items you will find in the J. B. Mills Museum Gift Shop.