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SPECIAL ISSUE

National Historic Preservation Month

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An in-depth look at the people and places from our past. Cover Photo: Woodside Mill Gymnasium, now a part of the Simpsonville Senior and Activity Center ÂŠ2015 Christy Staton

ISSUE NUMBER 51 | FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 | FOUNTAININNBANNER.COM | SIMPSONVILLEBANNER.COM | MAULDINBANNER.COM

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/SimpsonvilleGenealogy

The Importance of Preservation

PSONVILL

Welcome, everyone, to this week’s very special edition of The Banner – all about historic preservation and the historically significant buildings in our area. This collection of articles is intended to not only spread the knowledge about the rich history contained within the Golden Strip and surrounding areas, but also to inform anyone and everyone about the importance of preserving historic buildings.

EST.

2014

ICAL RE

Currently located in the Simpsonville Activity & Senior Center at 310 W. Curtis Street Open 10:00am-2:00pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

When The Banner first began last year, and I was asked to contribute articles about local history, I knew immediately that I wanted to do something special to honor our old buildings. Although my personal interests in history are concentrated on genealogical research, in attending the College of Charleston I have additionally studied Historic Preservation and Community Planning. Through my studies in this field, I have discovered just how important the preservation of old buildings can be, and how much we can learn from these buildings about the lives of our ancestors.

Charleston is a wonderful example of excellence in historic preservation, and is therefore a great place to study it, but Greenville County unfortunately does not have quite the same level of care for historic buildings. While the potential is there – there are undoubtedly hundreds of historic properties in the county – very few of these properties have been recognized for their history, and only a handful are protected from being altered or torn down. In downtown Simpsonville, for example, only two buildings are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, and some of the most historic buildings are in states of extreme disrepair. If we, as a community, are better informed about the issues facing historic preservation in our area, it is my hope that these buildings have a better chance of survival. For this special edition, I have carefully chosen a select group of buildings to be brought to attention, from all over our area. These buildings

and properties range from fully protected to being in danger of falling apart, and while these places may not be the most historically or architecturally significant, the buildings represent a wide variety of histories that is not only interesting to readers, but truly illustrates the full spectrum of why historic preservation is so important. For helping me to present the fascinating stories behind these buildings, I want to thank veteran Banner writers Jenny Clark, Christy Staton and Pam and Brown Garrett, as well as close friends and history lovers Meagan Pickens and Kimberly Pickens. Finally, thank you to Beth Kelley Fann – the regular editor of The Banner – for allowing me to use this issue to present these wonderful stories. I enjoyed assuming the role of “history editor” for the week. Enjoy the articles, and thank you for caring about our history. Andrew Staton

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Physical and digital research materials available as well as friendly assistance.

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ANDREW STATON ANDREW@SIMPSONVILLEBANNER.COM

Simpsonville native Andrew Staton is a genealogist and historian currently studying at the College of Charleston. In addition to his studies, he is also the Executive Director of the Simpsonville Genealogical Research Room.

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The Banner is a locally owned newspaper published weekly on Fridays and every day online. Submissions for the printed edition are due on Monday of the week prior to publishing. Send to info@simpsonvillebanner.com. Contributed Columns and Photography from citizens of Simpsonville and surrounding areas. Ads and artwork may not be reproduced without permission. ©2015 Brebson Creative, LLC.

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A Real “Gym” Dandy of a Tale Photos and article by Christy Staton

When one thinks of historic preservation in Simpsonville, among their first thoughts is probably a downtown building or a beautiful church. Yet, just off the familiar, beaten path sits a historic preservation effort that would score bonus points on any court. Located inside the Simpsonville Activity and Senior Center sits the historic Woodside Gymnasium, a treasure from the city’s rich textile past. Day after day, the gym provides ample space for the young and young-at-heart to play, dance, exercise and cheer on

their favorite team. But do they realize just how lucky they are to be surrounded by the very same walls their ancestors might have enjoyed? According to a Sanborn map from 1930, the land where the Activity and Senior Center now sits was occupied by a recreation hall and a separate swimming pool for mill employees. Other records indicate the Woodside Gymnasium was constructed on the same spot in 1947. Then, in 1989, Simpsonville’s former Woodside Textile Mill

Photo courtesy of the Simpsonville Genealogical Research Room

closed its doors for the last time. The textile industry that had supported many of the city’s residents for over eighty years was gone, but it left behind a few valuable reminders of its existence. Eventually, the remnants of the main portion of the mill building were turned into chic and spacious condominiums. Many of the mill village houses were renovated and remodeled to hold growing families, thus keeping the “Mill Hill” alive. Luckily, instead of being demolished, the Woodside Gymnasium was donated to the City of Simpsonville. At that time, the City needed additional recreational space and there was also an increasing need for a Senior Center for the aging population. Finally, due to the forward thinking of City officials and staff, the idea for a combined Activity and Senior Center was born. In 1992, the Simpsonville City Council began to work with the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority

on just how to go about combining the old and the new. The plan would come together on the site of the old Woodside Gym and incorporate it with a new brick and mortar addition to house all needs under one roof. Several existing homes had to be eliminated from the chosen site for the new building, which sat directly across West Curtis Street from the mill. Rather than being torn down, many houses were relocated to other lots around town. At last, after eight years and partnerships between the City of Simpsonville, the GCRA, Greenville County and the Greenville Hospital System (Hillcrest Hospital), the combined facility held its Grand Opening on September 29, 1998. One step inside the doors of the beautifully renovated Woodside Gymnasium and it’s easy to see why it was worth saving. The all wood interior gives off a warm golden glow, reminiscent of the days when Textile Team

Basketball was all the rage. The floors, walls, ceilings and support beam structures are all beautifully knotted wood, cared for meticulously by the Parks and Recreation Department staff. Even the scoreboard, equipped with modern technology, has a vintage look that can send a person back to another era in time. Lucky is the person, young or old, who gets to experience this carefully preserved piece of southern small town history for themselves. So, the next time you are out and about in Simpsonville’s “original central business district”, stop by and take a look around. Listen carefully, too. You might just hear the whistle of a coach or a cheer of the crowd from days gone by!

Christy is a photographer and the manager of the Simpsonville Genealogical Research Room, where she has gained an extensive knowledge of local history.

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For me, a church member for ten years at Simpsonville First Baptist Church, the history of the church’s Chapel was very intriguing. The chapel was built in 1913, and sits facing Church Street. It was designed by an architect from Spartanburg, S.C. named Luther D. Proffitt in the Romanesque Revival style. There are also hints of Moorish and Gothic Revival architecture added to the design - the Moorish being a compilation of various Islamic styles and the Gothic placing emphasis on the style of masonry and pointed arches. These were popular styles used in religious buildings during the early 1900’s. The Romanesque style heavily features arches and windows that were not as extravagant as the 11th and 12th Century influences that this style was derived from.

The outside of the structure is made of brick with brick underpinning, and the roof is made of asbestos. There are twin towers, one on either side of the Chapel. The one on the left side is a story taller, and houses the bells that the Simpsonville community can still hear chiming to this day. The ever-present chiming of the bells seems to declare that our Church is standing tall after all these years, and is still proclaiming the members’ and founders’ love for Jesus Christ. At the front of the brick structure are two staircases, one to the right and one to the left. Both entrances enter into the sanctuary. The pews form a square shape that comes to a point at the front of the podium. The dark color of the wooden pews and wooden floors tell the age of

the church, and allow people to feel the history that has prevailed to the present. The chapel consists of a sanctuary with Sunday school rooms on the far side, where there are two floors. On the opposite side of the sanctuary are beautifully crafted stained glass windows. These windows were dedicated by members of the church in honor of a deceased loved one. The two largest windows are centrally located, one near the west facade, and the other on the south wall. They each measure an enormous eighteen feet in height, with their width measuring four-and-one-half feet. The windows are surrounded by brushed brick with ashlar keystones at the top. The beauty of these windows is certainly majestic as the sun shines through them on

early Sunday morning during worship times. The Chandler family, members of the church for four generations, has dedicated the majority of the stain glass picture windows in honor of their family members. In the early 1990s, talk of demolition caused a stir among the members. This led to a member, Nancy Moore Sloan, working hard to have the Chapel put on the National Register of Historic Places. Along with Edward B. Tolson, architectural historian, and A. W. Chandler, National Register Coordinator, Mrs. Sloan put together the necessary paper work that made the saving of the chapel possible when they made a nomination to put it on the National Register. Mary W. Edwards signed the nomination for

the Church to be put on the National Register on August 8, 1992 and two months later the Chapel was officially entered into the National Register. It is archived as a building of architectural significance to be used for religious purposes. What a great building, with such a rich heritage! It is a relief to know that because of members who cared enough, like Nancy Sloan, it is going to be recognized and protected as one of our historic buildings in this great town of Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Kimberly is a writer and proud member of First Baptist Church Simpsonville.

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Cornell Sweeney celebrates 30 years in Simpsonville by Brittany Brokman and Beth Kelley Fann

It was an ad in the newspaper hiring Insurance Agents that caught the eye of Cornell Sweeney. As he read the article he turned to his wife Shelby and said that the job opportunity would be a good fit for her. She took the article and said to him, no Cornell this job would be perfect for you. In May of 1985, Cornell Sweeney opened his Allstate Agency in Simpsonville. At that time he was given a phone book and told to call everyone he could to sell insurance to. Cornell is now the longest tendered Allstate Agent in the Upstate of South Carolina. During his 30 years in business he has seen many changes and has had the opportunity to be a part of the Economic growth of the Upstate.

Local Allstate agency owner Cornell Sweeney is reaching a major milestone this year. Sweeney is celebrating 30 years of service in the Simpsonville community, making him the longest tenured Allstate agent in the Upstate of South Carolina. The Sweeney Agency first opened its’ doors in 1985. Now, the full-service Allstate agency, located at 100 W. Curtis Street in Simpsonville by the clock tower, houses five licensed professionals and serves more than 2,500 families and businesses in the community. “Time flies! It feels like just yesterday when we cut the blue ribbon and opened our doors,” said Sweeney. “The years I’ve been with Allstate and all the years I’ve worked in this community have been an important part of my life. I have enjoyed working with so many families in our community and thank each and every one of them for allowing me to provide and service their household insurance and financial needs.”

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Sweeney provides auto, home, renters, recreational vehicles, life and commercial insurance to area residents, as well as a variety of financial products, including college savings plans, mutual funds and more. Besides serving for the customer’s insurance needs, Sweeney has given back to the community. He was on the Board of Directors for Palmetto Bank and Emergency Relief, and is also a current member of the Kiwanis Club, Special Olympics, and the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Sweeney has won numerous awards, including Allstate’s Honor Ring for 13 years, and the National Conference award for seven years. “We are a business that believes in giving back to the community,” said Sweeney. “I am so proud to have served this community for three decades and look forward to carrying on this tradition for many more years.” The historic downtown Simpsonville has seen much revitalization

recently through the efforts of local business owners. Sweeney has been a cornerstone of that growth. Asked where he’d like to see Simpsonville go from here, he said “I would love to see the business community grow in downtown Simpsonville. I want this to be the desirable place for small business and restaurants, but continue to keep its family friendly atmosphere. As far as my business I want people in the community to know that we can handle all of their insurance needs and to feel comfortable turning to my staff and me as resource to help manage their everyday risk.”

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Set back off of West Georgia Road, just past the intersection of Fork Shoals Road, the Cureton-Huff House and property known as Valley Cove Farm are an easy-to-miss snapshot into history. In a transaction dated December 24, 1819, Greenville County farmer John Moon Cureton purchased a large tract of land for himself and his family. Family records and architectural features suggest that the house on the property was constructed by Cureton the following year (1820). Cureton’s home was originally constructed with the vernacular hall-

and-parlor style floor plan, and elements of the mantles and cornices indicate that the building is of the Federal style. Noteworthy elements of the house include the sunburst motifs throughout, small window panes, chevron ornamentation, and beaded weatherboarding. Sometime before his death, Cureton altered the house to give it a central hall plan rather than the hall-and-parlor layout of its original construction. Aside from minor repairs, few changes have been made to the house since Cureton’s lifetime, with the exception of constructing a kitchen on the rear of the house after the original one blew off of the

house in a severe windstorm. Living in this home and tending to his farm, John Moon Cureton became a prosperous and wealthy farmer throughout the course of his life. Upon his death in 1845, Cureton had amassed a large estate containing seventy-five slaves and hundreds of livestock animals – most notably fifty-six cows and forty-eight hogs. Following the death of Cureton’s wife Mary, the house was occupied by a caretaker until the end of the Civil War. In 1865, Jane Sullivan Huff (John Moon Cureton’s granddaughter) moved into the house and began to care for it. Jane’s husband, Pascal Davis Huff, was also a farmer who served as postmaster for the St. Albans post office and was instrumental in organizing the nearby St. Albans School. The Cureton-Huff House and property were passed down to Jane and Pascal’s son Swan B. Huff, known around the Simpsonville community as a leader of soil and water conservation for a number of years. Following Swan’s death in 1965, the property was inherited by his son James Roscoe Huff. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, James was

a well-educated geologist. Following in his father’s footsteps as a pioneer of soil and water conservation, he served for a number of years in Athens, GA before becoming commissioner of the Greenville County Soil and Water Commission. In 1983, two years before his death, James Roscoe Huff chose to honor his beloved ancestral home by applying to get the Cureton-Huff House listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in recognition of the home’s architectural significance. Following the passing of James’ wife Suzan in 2004, the property was inherited by Penny Huff Hawthorne, James and Suzan’s daughter.

Speaking about the home and property, Mrs. Hawthorne was filled with loving praise as she detailed the current efforts being undertaken to preserve the property, including the restoration of the shutters and maintenance on the farm and landscaping. When asked if the property was to continue in the family for the years to come, Mrs. Hawthorne kindly and optimistically stated that she has two grandchildren, and “they have already been taught a few things, so hopefully it will just stay with us on, and on, and on!” Thank you to Penny Huff Hawthorne for her kind assistance with this article.

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Preserving Simpsonville’s Hillcrest House Brown and Pam Garrett

Our home was built, on “Hillcrest” lands per deed of 1910, by Mr. Cox in 1912. Mr. Cox owned his own saw mill and cut all the timber for the house. I have been told there are no knots in the wood. I have never run across any, but I know if you are going to drive a nail in any of the original wood, you had better pre-drill the hole! We also understand that he was a large man, so the front door and the bathtub were oversized to accommodate him. The house was considered pretty modern for the time. It had acetylene lights – a type of gas lighting. These pipes were still in the ceilings when we restored the house in 1999, and the foundation for the gas

house is still in the backyard. According to Wikipedia, the lights apparently were prone to explosions, so it’s amazing that the house survived. Additionally, the house had water inside. The date on the well – which is probably one of the few left in the city – is October 8, 1912. It is a shallow well, but has never run dry. We still use it to water the garden. I am not sure how long the Coxes lived here. I do know that two other families lived here before my grandfather, M. P. Brown, bought the house in 1930. There are initials (L. H. C.) carved into the wall of the garage with a date of December 22, 1922. My grandfather moved here

from a house up on North East Main Street, and I have been told my grandmother was not very pleased because the house was very rundown. The first thing that they had to do was replace the leaky cedar shake roof, and they did many more repairs. They added the fish pond in the front yard and placed stones at that edge of the yard. They also created a rock mound on the side of the house. My mother (the baby of the family) was twelve when they moved here, and she lived here most of her life. In 1998, after the death of my aunt Lois Abbott, my mother lived in the house by herself. The house was in need of extensive repair since the last renovations were done in the

late 60s. After much thought, prayers, and meetings with bankers and contractors, Pam and I decided to renovate the house - a major undertaking. We had to gut all plumbing, wiring, some flooring and a lot of stuff which had accumulated over sixty-nine years. We were fortunately able to save the original staircase, pocket doors, mantels, hearths, floors, the china cabinet, the siding and added back the porch railing. The house meets the criteria for the National Register of Historic Places, however we haven’t yet applied for it. Our goal was to keep the house as near original as possible. We had the windows copied and added a bath and family rooms. Now, we have thermal

pane windows that keep the wind out. The gas bill in the late 90s was much more than it is now. After nine months of very hard work, and a lot of money, blood sweat and tears, we moved in on December 19, 1999. I am glad we made the decision to save my homeplace. I have many memories here, as do our children, and now our granddaughter is making memories here. As for me and Pam, our wedding reception was held here in 1967, and our daughter’s wedding was held here in 2008. So, this house is a very special place for our family!

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Stay safe while having fun Summer brings carefree, adventurous outdoor activities with daydreams of windblown hair while riding in your vehicle or on a boat. Whether on the road or in the water, traumatic events happen when you least expect it.

Don’t use your cell phone while driving, except in emergencies. Don’t text, email, play games or use the Internet, even if your vehicle has these functions built in. To avoid temptation, power down and store your device. Do not drive after drinking alcoholic beverages

To avoid traumatic injuries this summer, here are some tips you should follow:

Fall Prevention: How can I prevent falling at home?

Water Safety: How can I be safe on the water?

Focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance.

Take a safety course to learn how to safely operate your water craft and the rules of boating safety rules of operation. Avoid alcohol. The probability of a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved. Operate water craft at a safe speed. Inexperience, recklessness, inattention and speed are the four leading causes of accidents on the water. Watch out for low-water areas or submerged objects. Check all personal flotation devices: Make sure they are in good serviceable condition and are the correct sizes for all passengers. Driver Safety: Are You Keeping Your Eyes on the Road? Get organized before your trip; make sure you have directions; adjust seats and mirrors before leaving. Pull off the road and stop in a safe place to take care of a distraction that can’t wait. Eat meals or snacks before you leave or after you get where you’re going not while driving. Avoid messy foods

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications – both prescription and over-thecounter – to identify medicines that may cause side effects or interactions, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Have an eye doctor examine your eyes once a year and update glasses to maximize your vision. Reduce trip hazards by removing clutter, adding handrails inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding nonslip mats to the tub or shower, securing loose rugs, and keeping necessities within easy reach. Well-fitting, low-heeled, rubbersoled shoes can help you keep your footing.

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Make sure you can see clearly at all times, add nightlights to your bedroom and bathroom, store flashlights where they’re easy to reach, turn on the lights before going up or down the stairs. Learn more about Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Level I Trauma Center at SpartanburgRegional.com

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The Best Care Gets Recognized

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Leaving History in Good Shape Photos and article by Christy Staton

Sitting on a small knoll in the town of Conestee, seemingly tucked away yet with a Main Street address, is the historical McBee Chapel. Used throughout its history primarily as a Methodist church, the chapel was built in the mid 1800’s to serve as a place of worship for the mill workers in the tiny textile town. Architecturally unique, the structure was built in the shape of an octagon. It was designed by a local wheelwright (maker of wooden wheels) by the name of John Adams. His theory was that an octagonal

shape could provide more seating than a traditional square shaped building, with the same total length of wall. He was right…the structure contains one-fifth more floor area than a square one would have. The modest little church seats 150 guests. McBee Chapel was named for Vardry McBee, because he provided the funds needed for completion. Mr. McBee was known as the “Father of Greenville”, because he played a leading role in developing the entire Greenville area both commercially and industrially. Land grant maps

from 1850 show that McBee also owned many tracts of land in the Simpsonville and Mauldin areas, too. He frequently donated portions of his lands along with the necessary funding to build many local churches and schools.

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Throughout its approximate 160 year history, the octagon chapel has served as a meeting place for not only worship, but for many organizations and civic discussions as well. One local tale even suggests that the red brick structure was used as a rallying point for induction into the United States Army during the Civil War. The church is equipped with a

bell in its cupola and a rope that extends down into the center of the building. It has six large window openings, with small panes of colored glass surrounding larger clear panes that were added well after original construction. Still, the McBee Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 1972. The applicant during the process was Mr. Tom Weidner, then the President of the Conestee Historical Society, and now the Director of the Simpsonville Revolutionary War Museum. Today, the chapel stands quietly, nestled in among tall trees on a neatly manicured

lawn. It proudly displays a shiny new historical marker in front, which was placed there just last year. There are only two other structures like the McBee Chapel still standing in the United States today. Thank goodness for all of the caretakers of this unique example of architecture throughout its long life.

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” ~ Winston Churchill

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On the corner of Main Street and East Curtis Street in downtown Simpsonville proudly stands a twostory commercial building with a soft, yellow brick facade. To most members of the Simpsonville community, this building stands unassumingly, a long-existing structure that represents what it means to be in the heart of Simpsonville. This building is known as the Burdette Building, and is named after Benjamin William Burdette, who is recognizable as the forefront entrepreneur in the Simpsonville for the first half of the twentieth century. In 1898, B.W. Burdette, along with his brother David Wilcott Burdette and the help of their father, purchased the lot that

the Burdette Building stands on today. A smaller wooden store was placed there at that time, and in 1912 and 1913, the brothers answered area demand for hardware by erecting a two-story brick structure that faced Curtis Street. Following a fire in February of 1921, the building that presently stands was constructed in the same spot, overseen almost completely by Burdette himself. Burdette also had a tablet set between the floors on the west facade inscribed “1899 Burdette Building 1921” to reflect the dates of the creation of the first building on the lot, and the building that stands there today. The street facing exterior of this brick building is done in smooth yellow brick, intended to have a “fireproof”

Photo courtesy of the Simpsonville Genealogical Research Room

design. The building is intricately designed, the roof-line being decorated with a terra cotta cornice supported by an “egg-anddart” pattern molding. Three original rectangular skylights sit along the roof’s slope, and three brick firewalls stick out, going within the building to segment the interior. On the south facade, the building is laid in red brick. Here, what is most notable is the faded painted lettering identifying the building as B.W. Burdette & Bros. Grocery & Hardware. In the 1940s, one of the windows on this facade was modified for an exit door that once led to a fire escape, and a one-story addition that opens onto the Main Street side was added. Regarding the building’s interior, little has been altered over the years with layout remaining largely as designed. Interesting features of the interior include pressed tin ceilings on the first floor, plaster walls throughout, and the original wooden and metal elevator. According to documentation, the most major change to

the building involved the 1960s removal of a one-story roof extension supported by three brick columns (pictured). This structure was originally intended to help with parking for the gas station, then located in the corner of the lot at E. Curtis Street and Main Street. Aside from these minor changes, there have been very few changes over time, which was another reason (besides its importance to Simpsonville’s history) that the building was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The Burdette Building was placed on the National Register on July 17, 2003. Credited with doing the necessary paperwork to support the preservation of this building are longtime area resident Butch Kirven, his wife Diane, and historian Steve Richardson. In the end, this building shows importance in that it has supported the growth of commerce in Simpsonville for almost a century. Originally built to be a hardware and grocery store, the building has since been

used as dry goods store, car dealership, several different restaurants, a gas station, a doctor’s office, Simpsonville’s first department store, a post office, apartments for residency, the office of a cotton broker, and a shirtmaking company – the largest employer at the time other than the mill. Today the building continues to house commercial business, such as Redline Loft, Over the Rainbow, Southern Galleries, Bennett and Sons Antiques, Gary’s Guitar Garage, Pruitt Health Hospice and others. Through this, it is clear that the Burdette Building stands today to serve the purpose that it was created to serve many years ago, helping to bring commerce and economic prosperity to Simpsonville.

Meagan is a Simpsonville native and current Historic Preservation student at the College of Charleston. She is also an aspiring architect, and will be studying in New York City this summer.

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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

How to Save a Home from Foreclosure Jason Ward, Attorney at Law

Importance of Homeownership Typically, a family’s home is its greatest asset. In addition to many social benefits, homeownership allows you to build equity and reap some tax benefits. However, in uncertain financial times it can also be a family’s greatest liability. A mortgage payment normally is the single largest debt that a family must pay each month. If a family relies on both spouses’ incomes to pay its bills each month, then one spouse losing their job could spell disaster for the family. In any situation where a family has very little disposable income at the end of each month, any and all major expenses can hinder a family’s ability to make timely mortgage payments. So what is a family to do if it falls on hard times and wants to keep their home? I’ll discuss some of their options below. Loan Modifications One option that may be available is a loan modification. A loan

modification is exactly what it sounds like. It is a change in the essential loan terms made by the lender as a way to assist the borrower in making his mortgage payments. Loan modifications are only available if the borrower has had trouble paying his mortgage. Loan modifications can include changes in the length of the loan or changes in the interest rate on the loan. The problem with loan modifications is that you are at the mercy of your lender. They are not obligated to help you or assist you with the loan modification in any way. Further, the new loan terms, if not as favorable as you need, may only be temporary relief to a long term problem. Generally, when lenders choose to modify your loan it is because the cost of the loan modification is cheaper than the cost of default and foreclosure. Mortgage Forbearance Agreement A mortgage forbearance

agreement is an agreement between the lender and borrower in which the lender agrees not to exercise its right to foreclose and the borrower agrees to a plan that will allow the borrower to bring the mortgage current. Mortgage forbearance agreements are designed to be quick fixes for borrowers temporarily unable to meet their debt obligations. Typically, forbearance agreements don’t last very long, so you only have a few months to get your financial affairs back on track. A major problem with this method is that, again, you are at the mercy of the lender. They are under no obligation to work out a forbearance agreement with you and many forbearance agreements have some unfavorable terms. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Although people don’t like the stigma that goes along with bankruptcy, the truth is that this is the most effective way to save your home. The reason is simple: You are no longer at the mercy of your lender

because you don’t need their approval with this method. A chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to propose a plan to the Bankruptcy Court that allows you to pay the lender the back payments over a period of 3-5 years. As long as you make your regular mortgage payments and make this chapter 13 plan payment each month the lender must allow you to keep your home. All of this is dependent on the Bankruptcy Court finding that you have the ability to make these payments. Another large benefit of the bankruptcy option is the automatic stay provided by the bankruptcy code. The automatic stay means that your lenders are not allowed to harass you or make any efforts to collect debts while you are in bankruptcy. Sometimes just stopping the harassing phone calls can help get a family’s finances back on track. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy A chapter 7 bankruptcy can also be an effective tool in helping a family keep their

home. Without going into too much detail, a chapter 7 bankruptcy won’t assist a family in making payments on the past-due mortgage payments, but it will allow them to get rid of other debts in hopes of freeing up monthly income to make those past-due payments. However, this method is usually only effective if the lender has not initiated the foreclosure process. Contact Us Since your home is probably your most valuable asset, you should do everything possible to keep it. If your home is threatened with foreclosure, then you should talk to a professional who understands what your options are to give yourself the best chance at retaining your home. Don’t wait until you are too far behind on the mortgage payments to take action. Feel free to contact us today at 864-399-7888 to see if we can assist you through difficult financial times.

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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

Take Me to Church: History of Fairview Andrew Staton | Photos by Christy Staton

When going through the motions of stop-and-go traffic on Fairview Road, the name behind Simpsonville’s commercial boulevard can appear meaningless to most people. However, by taking a trip down Fairview Road well beyond the bustle of the city, the history behind the name “Fairview” in our area is discovered to be a fascinating story that extends back over 225 years. In 1773, a group of settlers immigrated to South Carolina from Antrim County, Ireland, and settled down in the Nazareth community of Spartanburg County. After the Revolutionary War, this group relocated to the southern portion of Greenville County

with land granted to them as payment for military service. These five settlers – brothers John, Samuel and David Peden, nephew James Alexander and friend James Nesbit – banded together and chose to use this land to form a church, named after an old gray stone church in their native Ireland known as “Fairview.” Still active and well-known, Fairview Presbyterian Church is now one of the oldest operating churches in Greenville County. Following two short-lived church buildings, a third brick structure was constructed in 1818. In 1858, this building was demolished, and a wooden Greek Revival church

building was constructed in its place, using bricks from the previous building to form the five frontal pillars. With its white clapboard siding and a layout reminiscent of an old meeting house plan, this building still stands today, having been immaculately preserved both inside and out. On the building’s interior, several original features remain. Most notable of these are the pulpit and pews, on which the meticulous feather graining is still intact. While several changes have been made to the church grounds over the years, changes to the actual building have been very few. In 1949, a one story addition was added to the rear of the church – obscured

by the typical frontal view. The church’s cemetery dates back to 1797, and is surrounded by a wall of fieldstones. The cemetery is notable for containing the remains of seven Revolutionary War soldiers and over fifty Civil War soldiers. Additionally, the cemetery is the burial place of Simpsonville’s well-known Sheriff J. R. “Bob” Martin, whose family has been involved with the church for many years. In 1977, 119 years after the construction of the building, the Fairview Presbyterian Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Though the building has remained untouched because of this, several

changes have been made to the church’s surrounding property in recent years, including the addition of several buildings. In compliance with National Register standards, these buildings were all constructed in a style that matches the main church building (white siding with dark green shutters), in order to maintain a uniform, historic look. Celebrating its 229th anniversary in 2015, the Fairview Presbyterian Church continues to grow and prosper, and has secured its place as a staple of the Simpsonville/Fountain Inn community for decades to come.

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The Fountain Inn Principal’s House and Teacherage, built in 1935, is significant for its historical association with the Fountain Inn Rosenwald School, also known as the Fountain Inn Colored School, and African American history in Fountain Inn. The unassuming small white house at 105 Mt. Zion Drive is the only remaining building that is historically associated with the school complex, which included the grade school built in 1928, a high school built in 1930, a library, and the Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates Gymnasium, built in 1942. The school and its buildings served the educational needs of the Fountain Inn’s African American community until the students of this community were enrolled in Fountain Inn High School in the 1960s. The

teacherage was constructed originally as a home for teachers who provided educational instruction for African Americans in Fountain Inn, and by the 1940s housed teachers and the principal and his family. Its separate entrance at the building’s southwest corner accessed the kitchen and accommodated home economics classes. These buildings were designed to offer comfortable domestic amenities like front corner porches and modern indoor bathrooms, but they were also meant to serve as instructional facilities. The house is nearly identical to Plan No. 301 (“Teachers Home for Community Schools”) for teacherages supported by the Julius Rosenwald Fund. Although this house was constructed after the end of the Rosenwald

Fund school program, its design is consistent with plans frequently used for Rosenwald schools and related buildings. The structure was listed in the National Register June 27, 2011. In a poetic juxtaposition, the Fountain Inn stretch of the Swamp Rabbit Trail begins just across the road from the Principal’s House and Teacherage, one end anchored at the former school complex and the other beckoning pedestrians and bikers to explore the area. Take a little drive by and find this pleasant spot where history and community intersect. Source: http://www. nationalregister.sc.gov

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

The Safe, the Endangered, and What We’ve Lost Andrew Staton

In addition to the wonderful buildings and stories shared in this issue of The Banner, there are many other, lesserknown historical buildings that remain in our area. A number of these have been well-maintained, and are currently under some degree of protection. However, many other buildings have fallen into disrepair, and if action is not taken, the buildings will fade forever into the past. Unfortunately, when composing this issue of The Banner, all of the histories of our area could not be told. Hopkins Farm, located on Fork Shoals Road just above Highway 418, is one of these properties. The farm is incredibly rich in history, and also has nine structures listed on the National Register

of Historic Places! Listed in 2007, the farm remains in the Hopkins family, and is therefore likely to be protected for generations to come. The Gilder House, currently located at the corner of Highway 14 and Bethel Road, is important to the history of Simpsonville and Mauldin for its association with the prominent Austin family. Also associated with the Austin family is Oakland Plantation, located on Adams Mill Road. The property is currently owned by the YMCA, under the direction of Greg McKee. Great strides are being made to research and document the property, and among the property’s features include the archaeological remains of Dr. Thomas Austin’s former

office, and a barn that is theorized to have once been a slave dwelling. While properties such as these are excellent examples of “preservation in action,” other buildings in our area exemplify what not to do in preservation. Sadly, the former Simpsonville School building located on Academy Street is one of these locations. While the building is currently eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, verified by the State Historic Preservation Office, no effort is being taken to complete this process. Additionally, if the building is altered in certain ways, it will permanently lose this eligibility. The communities of Simpsonville, Fountain Inn

and Mauldin are filled with buildings with a similar story as this school building. There are undoubtedly multiple buildings in each of these cities eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, some of which will likely be altered or demolished before this full potential can be realized. One example of this can be found in the S. J. Wilson House, formerly located on North Maple Street in Simpsonville. S. J. Wilson was one of the pioneers of Simpsonville, who constructed his elaborate home prior to the Civil War. Sadly, the building fell into disrepair in the mid-20th century, and in the 1980s the house was demolished to make room for a strip mall and Masonic Lodge.

Although National Historic Preservation Month is winding to a close, saving a historic building is an accomplishment that should be celebrated anytime of the year. Many organizations and entities exist to assist anyone who is willing to help save a historic building. The most famous of these is the National Trust, the organization responsible for the Preservation Month Movement. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic places. To become more involved or read more on this subject, please visit websites such as www.preservationnation.org, www.shpo.sc.gov, or www. greenvillehistory.org

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SIMPSONVILLE EVENTS Simpsonville Farmers Market

Honor Flight Memorial Ride

Every Saturday 8:00am 12:00pm Simpsonville City Park 405 E Curtis St Simpsonville, SC

Saturday, June 6, 2015 9:30am 3:30pm

Ye Old Colonial Faire at the Simpsonville Museum of Revolutionary War History Saturday, May 30, 2015 10:00am 5:00pm 110 Academy St Simpsonville, SC 29681

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Simpsonville Museum of Revolutionary War History presents

Ye Olde Colonial Fair Saturday, May 30, 2015 10:00am - 5:00pm 110 Academy St Simpsonville, SC 29681

Arts and Crafts from the Colonial Period Activities for Children Fun inside and out

Upstate Farm Tour Sat, Jun 6, 2015 1:00pm Sun, Jun 7, 2015 7:00pm

Movies in the Park: Frozen Sing-a-long Thursday, June 11, 2015 7:30pm 8:30pm Heritage Park

Simpsonville Sings

Thursday, June 4, 2015 7:30pm 10:30pm Charter Ampitheatre

Thursday, June 18, 2015 7:30pm 9:00pm By the Clock Tower

Westwood Community Yard Sale

Upstate SC Singles Dance

Saturday, June 6, 2015 8:00am 1:00pm Alder Park

HHS Football Golf Tournament Saturday, June 6, 2015 8:30am 3:30pm Bonnie Brae Golf Course

Friday, June 19, 2015 6:00pm 10:00pm 100 Park Dr Simpsonville, SC 29681

HHS Volleyball Summer Camp Monday, June 22, 2015 10:30am 7:00pm Hillcrest High School

Bryan Adams at Charter Amphitheater Friday, June 26, 2015 7:30pm 11:30pm Charter Ampitheatre

Darius Rucker at Charter Ampitheatre Thursday, July 2, 2015 7:00pm 11:00pm Charter Ampitheatre

Movies in the Park: Spiderman 2 Thursday, July 16, 2015 7:30pm 9:30pm Heritage Park

Upstate SC Singles Dance Friday, July 31, 2015 6:00pm 10:00pm 100 Park Dr Simpsonville, SC 29681

HHS Volleyball Golf Tournament Friday, August 7, 2015 11:30am 4:30pm Willow

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FOUNTAIN INN EVENTS GLOW Lyric Theatre at the Younts Center: The Prodigal Son Friday, May 29, 2015 7:30pm 9:00pm Younts Center for the Performing Arts

Fridays by the Fountain Friday, May 29, 2015 7:30pm 9:30pm

Farmers Market Saturday, May 30, 2015 8:00am 12:00pm Fountain Inn Farmers Market Pavilion

Adults: Wire Jewelry Saturday, May 30, 2015 1:30pm 3:00pm Kerry Ann Younts Culp Library

Into the Woods Begins Friday, June 12, 2015 7:30pm 9:00pm Younts Center for Performing Arts

More events online at FountainInnBanner.com

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Large turnout for Simpsonville Memorial Day Ceremony

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“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” -Rose Kennedy The 2015 ceremony was held at 2pm on Monday, May 25th at Veterans Corner. The participants were as follows: Raising of the Flags Boy Scouts of America American Heritage Girls Troop 5207 To The Colors Star Spangled Banner Miss Savannah Snyder Pledge of Allegiance Laying of the Wreath Mr. James Boyd U.S. Army Veteran Special Music Miss Savannah Snyder Opening Remarks Geneva Lawrence, Simpsonville Mayor Pro-Tem Memorial Day Address CW04 Steven Watterson, USN Retired Commander, VFW Post 1845 Benediction Taps Alex Tedrow The ceremony closed with an invitation to join the VFW for a hot dog supper with veterans.

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

Woodmont Wildcats Focus on Competition and Mental Toughness in Spring Jacob Wilson

The Woodmont Wildcats wrap up spring football practice with a spring game on Friday, May 29 at 6:00 at Woodmont Middle School. “We have seen some rising seniors stepping into leadership roles,” said Woodmont coach Ned Cuthbertson, who was in his second-year with the Wildcats. “We have seen the kids gain a lot of strength through the offseason workouts. We had to install a new offensive and defensive system last year in a short amount of time. We feel like the kids are more comfortable with our system. We also focused on mental toughness.” Woodmont got off to a hot start last season winning three out of its first five games. However, the Wildcats could not keep their early momentum. Woodmont finished the season with a 3-8 record overall and a 1-6 record against region opponents. “It almost felt like the guys became content after those three wins,” Cuthberston said.

“We suffered a few losses and the guys figured out that winning wasn’t going to be as easy as they thought it was. They really gave a lot of effort in our 47-46 overtime loss at Easley. The following game we played Greenville very competitively in the first half, but couldn’t get it done in the second half (56-34 loss). I think the guys realized that winning at any level isn’t easy.” The Wildcats will once again compete in Region 1-AAAA. “We know it will be tough week in and week out,” said Cuthbertson. “We worked on their mental toughness by pushing them to do extra sets in the weight room. We brought the kids in before school and had them lifting weights, conditioning, and take part in team building exercises. The mental toughness drills were not impossible, but it just pushed them. We know that there are great teams in our conference and we want to play against the best. We want the season to get here, but we still have a lot to do.” 2015 Wildcats:

The Wildcats must replace starting quarterback Jonathon Simms. Rising juniors Cross Hosea and Hunter King, along with rising sophomore Cole Fendley are in a three-way battle for starting signal caller duties. “All three of them have different strengths and all three are getting repetitions,” said Woodmont coach Ned Cutbertson. “We feel like Cole has really good form. Cross gives us some athleticism at the position, while Hunter has a very good arm coming from his background in baseball.” Rising senior Jabin Love started at running back last season for the Wildcats. After Love suffered an injury, Donte Luster moved from starter on junior varsity to varsity. “They both have power and quickness,” Cuthbertson said. “They are not afraid to lower their shoulder.” Jaquan Williams and Max King provide experience at wide receiver. Cuthbertson said that the rising seniors will be key cogs in the

Wildcats’ spread offense. “Jaquan is a tall wide receiver with top end speed,” said Cutbertson. “Jaquan also plays basketball. He was originally a quarterback, but we saw his ability to run and jump and his big hands so we thought he’d be a huge asset at wide receiver. Max has phenomenal route running ability and his quickness is great too.” Keyshun Kilgore, Kenyon Johnson, Greg Dixon, and Brandon Walker will compete for the remaining two starting wide receiver spots. “We have a good amount of our offensive linemen back,” Cuthbertson said. “All five started at least one game for us last season. Keeping those guys healthy will be crucial to our success.” Cuthbertson said that the leader of the offensive line is senior Jerius Duncan. Duncan, who has been a starter since his freshman season, will start at right guard. “He has great foot work,” said Cuthbertson. “He is a high character guy and is explosive on contact. He makes the right blocks and plays with channeled aggression.” Rising senior Brandon Jameson will start at left tackle. Rising junior Justin James is slated to start at center. James spent time at guard and tackle last season. Logan Impson is penciled in at right guard, while rising junior Jerrin Wilson is slated to start at right tackle. Last year’s starting right tackle Tyler Oliver is out with a back injury. The injury could keep Oliver from returning to the field until the Wildcats’ first game of the season. Woodmont will once again run a 3-4 scheme. “We will do a lot of things with our defensive front,” Cuthbertson said. “We are going to slant them and have them drop back. We are going

to move them around.” Rising junior Dusty Hosea and rising senior Keith Mccall will both see time at nose guard. Rising senior Shemar Degannes is a returning starter at defensive end. Davonne Bowen, who transferred back to Woodmont from JL Mann, should garner significant playing time opposite of Degannes. We are going to have a lot of guys sub in and out on the defensive line to keep them fresh,” said Cuthbertson. “We are looking at a bunch of different guys for the starting roles. Honestly, everyone, even if they are not starters, will get a bunch of repetitions.” DeAndre Jones and Corey Mabry are slated to start at inside linebacker. However, Jones missed the greater part of spring practice with a knee injury, while Mabry was held out after he suffered a concussion. Rising sophomore Isaiah McCullough and rising senior Will McDougal have filled in for Jones and Mabry at the inside linebacker positions. Rising seniors Jaquan Teasley, Gerritt Campbell, and Alan Pennington are competing at the outside linebacker positions. Mark Feaster is slated to start at cornerback and Max King and Chris Cook will split time at the other cornerback position. Feaster will also see time at running back. Rising senior Qawi Harris is penciled in at one of the safety positions. “There is a lot of competition going on,” said Cuthbertson. “We are happy with the competition. It is what has been need. We expect the competition to continue into summer and the fall. We see a lot of potential. We want them to keep battling and at the end of the day they will realize they are getting better.”

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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

Retired Simpsonville Police Chief cleared of misconduct charges

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Retired Simpsonville Police Chief Charles Reece was indicted on state charges of misconduct in office in midFebruary of 2014. Today, those charges were officially dropped due to lack of evidence. The case alleged that both Reece and Detective Ralph Bobo improperly handled

an impound case in 2007. Charging documents referred to the “improper forfeiture and collection of impound retrieval fees related to a 1975 Harley Davidson motorcycle.” Chief Reece said that it took a long time to get here.

This was brought about by the politics in Simpsonville,” Reece stated in a phone interview. Chief Reece retired from Simpsonville in 2012 after 22 years on the force, and was followed by current Police Chief Keith Grounsell.

“I knew all along that there was nothing improper done.

Simpsonville Recreation Committee moves to keep museum in school building Beth Kelley Fann

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Councilmember Sylvia Lockaby motioned to allow the Simpsonville Revolutionary War Museum to rent their current location for $1 per year.

citizens along with Councilmember Taylor Graham met at Carolina Olive Oil last week to discuss the eviction notice and future plans.

This motion would rescind a recent 90-day eviction notice received by curator Tom Weidner this month.

The meeting was organized by Westwood resident Jennifer Hulehan, an advocate for the museum. Rory Curtis of Carolina Olive

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Oil hosted the meeting for free. The fast action on behalf of citizens was heeded by council, and the measure is expected to pass at the June 9 city council meeting. The museum is located at 110 Academy Street, in the historic Simpsonville School building.

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