On Monday we decided to go visit Glendale Shoals, the site of the old Bivingsville Cotton Factory. It is close to Spartanburg, SC. There was an iron works in this area during the revolutionary war and they had a battle at this location. They have giant metal flower built in the area.
Sign about early iron works
Metal Flower
The original manufacturing company was built in 1830 and through the years went through many changes eventually becoming a cotton mill. A small community was built by the mill owner around the site of the factory. They provided homes, stores and schools for the workers. The mill went through numerous changes in ownerships, expansion and downtimes. It stopped production in the late 1950’s. In 2004 a fire destroyed most of the mill but there are still ruins that you can view. The mill was built by the Lawson Fork River and there is a dam and old steel bridge crossing the river. The bridge is currently closed for renovations but is normally open for foot traffic. The dam is still working and you could see the valves for operating the floodgates. One of the floodgates had water running through it.
Steel Bridge and Dam
View from the bridge
View below dam
View below dam
We enjoyed the long walk along the river, it is not very deep and you can walk way out into it on the rocks. It was very cool and shady on that part of the walk. When we went to the other side of the river you were by the ruins of the mill and no longer in the shade.
Part of the ruins
More ruins
Picture of the old mill
Bell tower that was the front of the mill
We discovered we can actually buy the remains of the mill, big for sale sign in front of it and it comes with 11 acres. Basically what you get is the old bell tower at the front of the mill. Bruce thought it also included the other towers and a chimney with all the land which still has the rock foundations. We would have to hire the fixer uppers from Waco to come fix it up as there is no way I would handle the renovations. The view would be fantastic from the top of the bell tower but you would have to put in an elevator.
For Sale Sign
The place had been abandoned for so long that there were trees growing on top of the towers and it looked like elephant ears growing on top of the chimney.
Top of one of the towers
The original house built by the man that founded the mill is also sitting abandoned but it was not included with the deal for the remains of the mill. I would stand a better chance of getting that house renovated than the remains of the mill.
Mill founders home
When we got back I read everything I could find on the internet on the history of the mill and the community. There was also pictures available for how the mill used to look when it was in operation. It was huge. A very pleasant way to spend the afternoon. If I was in the Spartanburg area again It would be a good place to go for a picnic, there were tables and benches scattered through the area by the river. Apparently is a popular place to kayak and swim.