Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-04-25
GREAT FALLS
The Story Of Rapid Growth Of Nearby
Town and Community.
. 4 l!''G .r. o..
MUCH BUILDING IS in PROGRESS

Town Less Than Seventeen Years Ok
Has Population of About 5000
Construction Work TotaiIing Hun
dreds of Thousands of Dollars Nov
Under Way-Entire Town Propert,
of One Company. h
(By a Staff Correspondent.)
Great Falls, April 24-Seventeen
years ago the tawny Catawba rar
through this town and section which
was then little more than a wilder
ness, untrammeled and undisturbed
Few of the sparce population who
made a living on the wild lands then
realized that in few years the
waters of the turgid stream would be
in harness and that they would soon
be the basis of livelihood for several
thousand people, residents of one of
the most model towns in South Caro-
lima from an architectural standpoint
and in fact from almost any stand
point. So rapidly has Great Falls
grown and so rapidly is 1t growing
that one is reminded in a way of the
boom oil towns Of the southwest.
There is a great difference, however, In
the fact that Great Falls is being built
TO stay while most of the oil towns
were never conceived with that idea.
The best architects and builders are
employed at Great Falls. There are
few II any shacks that stand by grace
of the winds.
Seventeen Years Old.
Great Falls, which is situated in the
south eastern section Of Chester coun-
ty, some twenty-four miles from the
county seat, is only seventeen years
old. That is counting from the time
the Southern Power Company began
building its great power plant here.
Really the town is not that old, since
no attempt was made to begin build
ing q substantial town until some time
later. Only rude shacks were here 10
house the workmen employed In con-
structing the dams and power houses
at Fishing Creek or Nitrolee, Great
Falls and Rocky Greek, all within nVe
rnniIes of each other. The original idea
was TO build them to furnish current
to towns Of No'th and South Carolina.
Then the company decided to build a
great cotton mill here and later
another one. Then Great Falls began
to grow great. 1t hasn't stopped
growing. There is no indication that
il will. On the other hand more than
81 100000 worth of construction work
Is going on right now. Another great
power plant is under construction at
Great Falls. Contractors are busy
digging a foundation for 1t under the
river he'd Twelve new store buildings
handsome, commodious store build
ings which would be credit to any
large city are nearing completion.
Churches Being Erected.
While Great Falls just now is a
town of 5000 people and without
church such a condition will not exist
long. The only church of the town
which was built by the company Tor
the use of members Of all denomina-
tions was destroyed by fire last Ne"
Years day. Since then religious SER
vices have been held on the Saboatn
in the two handsome school buildings
and in the picture show. But three
churches will rise from the ashes or
the Union church destroyed by the
flames. The Baptists are just now
completing a handsome brick eoince'
built on the latest plans for mooei
church and with full Sunday school
enuipment. Some time ago the Metho-
dists decided to begin the building or
church here in the near future, ana
announcement has just been made that
the Presbyterians of the town and
community plan to build q house OF
worship here. All three churches VIII
be large and commedious and all Will
be well flied because the majority
tie big majority of Great Falls inhabi-
tants are church going folks.
Property of Mill Company.
Every building in the town of Great
Falls is the property of the Southern
| Power Company and the Republic
Mills Company. The two cotton mills
which are among the largest in the
state, manufacture white goods
Workers have not been worried on ac-
count of poor business in the textile
trade. Both plants are running now
day and night and there has never
been rumor of probable suspension
of work. Both mills are models IN
textile plant construction and every
thing possible is done for the comfort
and convenience of the workers. The
mills employ a community nurse
physician, teachers, school buildings
everything necessary to employees both
at work and at home. 1t is said tC
be one of the most excellent mil
towns of the country and n visit bears
out the statement.
Talk of Another Mill.
There is persistent talk here thai
the company proposes to build another
mill and residents point out to th'
.i. III