Topic: Industry and Railroads

Books and Pamphlets

Full-text books and pamphlets about Columbia and South Carolina from the Richland Library Local History collections.


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Bicentennial Photograph Collection

This collection of photographs was donated to Richland Library in 1987 in honor of the bicentennial of the founding of the city of Columbia in 1786. The collection was created from copies of photographs, programs and lithographs of historic images of Columbia, S.C. Due to copyright restrictions, some images in the Bicentennial Collection are not …


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Greenwood Mills Photograph Collection

The Greenwood Mills Photograph Collection consists of photographs housed in the Self Family Foundation Archive at Lander University. The digital collection primarily includes photographs of Greenwood Mills buildings, plants, equipment, and, especially, mill workers. James C. Self assumed general ownership of Greenwood Mills in 1908 and grew the operation into a successful international corporation, consisting …


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Slater Mill

Collection of photographs from the Slater Hall Citizens’ Committee. Slater Mill was built in 1927 and still operates today. Originally a cotton mill, it later shifted to rayon, fiberglass, and other synthetics.


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Poinsett Mills

Collection of photographs of Poinsett Mill from the private collection of Alvin Henson. Originally organized as Carolina Mills in a 1900, it was later renamed Poinsett Mills. The mill ceased operations in 1981, but the building still survives as part of the Reynolds Company.


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Mills Mill

Collection of photographs of Mills Mill and community from the private collection of Marshall Williams. The Mills Manufacturing Co. was organized in 1895 with Otis P. Mills as president. The mill began operation in 1897 and produced fabric until the mill’s close in 1978. In the 2000s, the mill was renovated into the Lofts condominiums.


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Greer Textiles

Collection of photographs of the Estes Plant from the Piedmont History Collection. The Estes Plant opened June 1964 by J.P. Stevens and shortly replaced Piedmont Manufacturing production. The old Piedmont Manufacturing buildings were converted into warehouse space. In 1986 the Estes Plant was sold to the Delta Mills Marketing Company. Today Griffin Thermal Products produces …


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Estes Plant

Collection of photographs of the Estes Plant from the Piedmont History Collection. The Estes Plant opened June 1964 by J.P. Stevens and shortly replaced Piedmont Manufacturing production. The old Piedmont Manufacturing buildings were converted into warehouse space. In 1986 the Estes Plant was sold to the Delta Mills Marketing Company. Today Griffin Thermal Products produces …


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Woodside Mill

Collection of photograph of the Woodside Mill and community from the private collection of John Hall and the SC Room Archive. Organized by the John T. Woodside along with his brothers, the mill began operation in 1903. Within a few years the mill had tripled in size and eventually earned the title of largest cotton …


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Pelzer Mill

Collection of photographs of Pelzer Mill and community from the Pelzer Heritage Commission. The Pelzer Manufacturing Company was organized in 1880 and began operations in 1882. The mill expanded rapidly during the 1880s and 1890s. During the 20th century it changed hands several times before closing in the late 1990s.


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