Greenville history

The history of Greenville, situated at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is closely linked to the settlement of Native American lands and the subsequent economic development of the region. The city has journeyed from a small plantation to a major industrial centre, earning the title of the "Textile Capital of the World".

Foundation and Early Years

For centuries, the territory of modern Greenville served as hunting grounds for the Cherokee people. The first European settler was Richard Pearis, who established a plantation here in 1770 on lands acquired from the tribe. Initially, the settlement was named Pleasantburg. In 1786, Greenville County was officially established, most likely named in honour of General Nathanael Greene, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. By 1831, the name Pleasantburg was changed to Greenville.

Key Factors of Establishment

The city's development was driven by several important factors. A significant role in the making of Greenville was played by entrepreneur Vardry McBee, often referred to as the "Father of Greenville". In 1816, he purchased lands and began actively developing the infrastructure. Key aspects of this growth included:

• Geographical Location: Its position by the Reedy River provided energy for the first mills and factories.
• Economic Development: McBee built sawmills, flour and corn mills, as well as a brickyard. In the 1820s, the first textile manufactories began to appear, laying the foundation for the city's future industrial power.
• Transport: The construction of the railroad in 1853, connecting Greenville with Columbia, significantly accelerated population growth and attracted new investors and tourists.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Greenville developed not only as an industrial centre but also as an educational and cultural hub. Vardry McBee donated land for the construction of the first schools and places of worship. In 1826, Furman University was founded, becoming the intellectual core of the city. By the mid-19th century, thanks to the rapid growth of the textile industry, Greenville received the unofficial title of the "Textile Capital of the World". The emergence of new factories after the Civil War strengthened this status, and by the early 20th century, the city had become the most important centre of light industry in the region.

Key Dates in Greenville's History

The history of Greenville is a journey from a small settlement on Native American lands to a thriving modern city. Below are the main milestones of this journey.

• 1770 — Richard Pearis, the first European settler, establishes a plantation on lands acquired from the Cherokee tribe.
• 1786 — Greenville County is established, presumably named in honour of Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene.
• 1797 — Lemuel Alston founds the settlement of Pleasantburg, which became the core of the future city.
• 1816 — Vardry McBee, known as the "Father of Greenville", purchases lands and begins actively developing infrastructure, building mills and manufactories.
• 1826 — Furman University is founded, eventually becoming an important educational and cultural centre of the region.
• 1831 — The settlement of Pleasantburg is officially renamed Greenville.
• 1853 — Construction of the railroad connecting Greenville to Columbia gives a powerful boost to economic growth and tourism.
• Late 19th - Early 20th Century — The city becomes a major hub of the textile industry, receiving the unofficial title "Textile Capital of the World".
• 1970s — A large-scale programme for the reconstruction and revitalisation of the city centre begins, transforming it into an attractive place for living and leisure.
• Late 20th - Early 21st Century — Thanks to attracting foreign investment and economic diversification, Greenville successfully transitions from the textile industry to modern high-tech sectors.

Stages of Greenville's Transformation

The path of Greenville from the "Textile Capital of the World" to a modern innovation hub is an inspiring story of transformation. The city did not just change its economic course but completely reimagined its urban space, turning the legacy of the industrial era into a foundation for prosperity in the 21st century.

By the mid-20th century, when the textile industry—long the backbone of the economy—began to decline, Greenville faced serious challenges. To avoid the fate of many depressed industrial cities, local authorities made a strategic decision to diversify the economy. An active campaign to attract foreign investment began, culminating in success with the arrival of giants such as Michelin and BMW. This laid a new foundation for the region's economy, shifting the focus to high technology and modern manufacturing.

Simultaneously with economic reforms, a large-scale programme to revitalise the city centre began. Since the 1970s, the downtown area was purposefully made more pedestrian-friendly, creating new public spaces and stimulating the opening of restaurants and shops. The culmination of this process was the creation of Falls Park on the Reedy in the early 2000s. An abandoned industrial zone around the waterfalls on the Reedy River, where the first mills once stood, was transformed into a picturesque urban oasis. This project became a symbol of Greenville's renaissance.

The central element of the park became the unique curved Liberty Bridge, which offers a panoramic view of the waterfalls. By removing the old vehicular overpass that had hidden the river for decades, the city reclaimed its main natural attraction. Today, Falls Park is not just a park, but the beating heart of Greenville, a point of attraction for residents and tourists, and a vivid testament to how bold vision and care for heritage can turn industrial decline into a success story.

The architectural appearance of Greenville reflects its dynamic history—from a centre of the textile industry to a modern innovative city. Its development combines preserved historical buildings and bold 21st-century urban planning solutions, creating a unique and harmonious cityscape.

Industrial Heritage and the Victorian Era

Greenville's growth in the 19th century was inextricably linked to the textile factories built along the Reedy River. Although many of the original factories have not survived, their influence defined the city's early development. During this same period, especially after the Civil War, the commercial district of the West End began to form. Today, it is a historic district where one can see examples of Victorian commercial architecture from the late 19th century. These brick buildings with decorative facades recall an era when the West End was the city's second most important business hub.

The "Belle Époque" and First Skyscrapers

The early 20th century, a period of economic prosperity, brought architecture in the Beaux-Arts style to Greenville. The most iconic building of this era is the Westin Poinsett hotel, built in 1925. Designed by the renowned architect William Lee Stoddard, this 12-story hotel became one of the city's first skyscrapers and a symbol of its new status. Its elegant facade with arched windows, decorative moulding, and classical details remains a dominant feature on the city's main street.

Modern Urban Planning and Downtown Renaissance

From the second half of the 20th century, Greenville began actively transforming its urban space. A key stage was the decision to revitalise the city centre, which included creating pedestrian zones and public spaces. The pinnacle of this process was the creation of Falls Park on the Reedy on the site of abandoned industrial grounds. The park's central element—the famous pedestrian Liberty Bridge—is a striking example of modern landscape architecture. Its unique curved design, seemingly floating above the waterfalls, has become the new symbol of Greenville and evidence of the successful combination of natural landscape and innovative design.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Greenville

Throughout its history, Greenville has been the birthplace or a significant stage in life for many outstanding figures in various fields—from industry and science to politics and the arts. These individuals have left a notable mark not only on the city's history but also far beyond its borders.

• Vardry McBee (1775–1864) — An entrepreneur and philanthropist, rightfully called the "Father of Greenville". In the early 19th century, he acquired vast lands where the city centre is located today and laid the foundation for its economic prosperity. McBee built flour and saw mills, textile factories, and also donated plots for the construction of the first churches, schools, and Furman University.
• "Shoeless Joe" Jackson (1887–1951) — A legendary baseball player, one of the most talented players in history. He grew up working in a textile mill in Greenville, where he began his sports career. Despite the scandalous end to his career linked to the "Black Sox Scandal", he remains a cult figure, and his home in Greenville has been turned into a museum.
• Charles Hard Townes (1915–2015) — A distinguished physicist, a native of Greenville and a graduate of Furman University. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which led to the creation of the maser and laser. His inventions revolutionised science, medicine, and telecommunications.
• Jesse Jackson (born 1941) — An influential civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and politician. He was born and raised in Greenville under racial segregation, which largely defined his future path. Becoming an associate of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson dedicated his life to fighting for equality and social justice in the USA and around the world.
• Joanne Woodward (born 1930) — A famous actress and Oscar winner. Although born in Georgia, she spent her youth in Greenville. Here she graduated from high school and began performing on the stage of the local Greenville Little Theatre, where her talent was first noticed.
• Kevin Garnett (born 1976) — One of the greatest basketball players of his generation, an NBA Hall of Fame member. He was born in Greenville and played for the high school team in Mauldin, a suburb of Greenville, where his outstanding sporting talent first manifested.