The MillTown News

01/10/2024

Mark your calendars for this fundraiser to help a local resident in need.

Help us help one of our own! The day after Christmas, Andrew’s car hydroplaned and crashed into a tree. 🌳 He will be okay but suffered extensive injuries and will be unable to work for an undetermined amount of time. 🤕 We’ll be having a fundraiser for him on Tuesday, January 23rd to help offset his mounting bills. All tips and proceeds from sales on this day will go directly to Andrew. 🍻

01/10/2024

In case anyone needs a reminder!

01/10/2024

A new tax? Snake eyes for gamblers. All that and more in this week’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:

2004
Fort Mill School Board members approved a 70-acre site on Springfield Parkway for a proposed second high school for the district.
York Cunty Council was considering whether to charge a county-wide “hospitality tax” on restaurant food.
The Town of Fort Mill hired Brown Simpson, Jr., as its first recreation department director.
The wrestling team at Fort Mill High School was ranked as the number three team in the state.
1984
Memorials to H. W.” Bill” Close were established at N. C. State University and Presbyterian College.
David M. Wheeler, senior at Fort Mill High School was selected as the “DAR Good Citizen” for the 1983-84 school year.
Linson Funderburk won first place in Todd’s Fall Horseshoe Tournament.
Carolina Loan and Reality announced the appointment of Harry L. Hallman as manager of its real estate brokerage department.
1964
Fort Mill basketball teams swept a doubleheader at W. T. S. Emma Jean Howard scored 29 points for the Jackettes. Flip Ray led the Jackets with 17 points.
Senior Fellowship of Unity Presbyterian Church installed Mile Hill as moderator and Donna Stroup as vice moderator.
1944
Five men, three of them from Fort Mill, were convicted on charges of gambling and fined $15 each.
Fort Mill High School examinations were postponed due to the schools being closed for a week for flu restrictions.
1924
J. B. Mills, Osmond Barber and R. F. Harris. Trustees of the Fort Mill School District, were reelected in an election that saw only 27 citizens voted.
H. V. Richardson and Charles Falls bought the stock of the grocery formerly operated on Main Street and opened for business

01/04/2024

Welcome to a new year and the first installment of 100 Years in Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth!

2004
The proposed second high school in Fort Mill could be built in the future Springfield Village, if the Fort Mill School Board approved.
A Saturday night fight at a Doby’s Bridge Road home in Lancaster County left a 22-year-old Monroe man dead.
A Tega Cay family lost their Gauguin Lane home and all their belongings in a Christmas Day fire.
The Fort Mill girls picked up their first win of the season with a 59-30 defeat of the Chapman Panthers.
1984
Marine Staff Sergeant Douglas W. Munn recently participated in training exercise “Red Flag I-84.
After twenty-nine years of officiating high school basketball games, Waddell Gibson began calling college games.
Leroy Springs and Co. purchased 280 acres of land in the North Carolina Mountains with plans to develop a recreational site.
David Lambert of Fort Mill, defensive back for the Citadel Bulldogs, was named to the 1983 Southern Conference All-Academic Team.
1964
Mrs. Mamie Lou McCutcheon Sheppard, prominent Fort Mill matron and wife of Dr. Grover C. Sheppard, local physician, died at Presbyterian Hospital.
Carol Phillips,17, Fort Mill High School senior, won the York Electric Co-Op essay contest and $100.
1944
Douglas Cranford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cranford, was reported as missing in action in the North African Mediterranean Sea area.
A square dance was held every Saturday night at the Fort Mill Armory with music by Tommy Arnold and his Ridge Runners. Admission was 50 cents with ladies admitted free.
1924
The smallpox epidemic continued in Rock Hill. All cases had been mild and no fatalities had been reported.
Heath Motor Co., Fort Mill, was selling new Ford Touring cars for $295, F.O.B. Detroit.

01/02/2024

Here’s something fun: This classic “Bloom County” references Fort Mill - just not by name! Berkeley Breathed's Bloom County

View the comic strip for Bloom County by cartoonist Berkeley Breathed created January 01, 2024 available on GoComics.com

12/28/2023

Thank you Chip Heemsoth for another great season of 100 Years of Fort Mill History! Here’s the last one for 2023:
2003
A suspicious fire gutted a house on Len Patterson Road doing an estimated $40,000 to $50,000 in damage.
Papa Pino’s Pizza, owned and operated by the Dillagio family, opened in Avery Square by Food Lion.
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets boys’ basketball team picked up its first win of the season when they defeated York 63-42 in the Lindberg Moody basketball tournament.
Fort Mill’s school bus drivers were honored with a driver’s appreciation ceremony.
1983
The Greater Fort Mill Chamber of Commerce into its permanent home at 110 East Elliott Street.
The Fort Mill Toastmasters Club changed its name to the Timely Toastmasters Club.
Members of Cadet Troop 378 raised $500 for the Meals for Elderly program in Fort Mill.
The full United States Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear an appeal in the Catawba Indian Land claim.
1963
Recent movies at the Center included Fun in Acapulco, Palm Springs Weekend, Women of the World, Rampage, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, The Tell Tale Heart, Cosmic Monsters, Summer Holiday, Twilight of Honor and the Crawling Eye.
Fort Mill’s Yellow Jackets repeated as the Lewisville Christmas Tournament Champions by defeating Laurens, Hickory Grove and Great Falls enroute to the title.
1943
The flu reached epidemic proportions in Fort Mill. Miss Lillie Ola Bailes died of the flu in a Sumter hospital.
A man named Tate, who said he had lived in Fort Mill for the past four years, was caught robbing several Fort Mill stores.
1923
Dan Broadnax was the winner of a $5 prize offered by the Lytle Drug Company for selling the most men’s merchandise during the Christmas Holidays.
Christmas celebrations for several Fort Mill men began with a free-for-all, involving guns and knives. The melee occurred near the Catawba River bridge.

12/21/2023

Can you believe we’re getting close to the end of another year?! Here’s what local folks were talking about in this week’s look back at 100 Years in Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:
2003
Hunters had been illegally hunting deer on the Anne Springs Close Greenway and officials were concerned about visitor’s safety.
The third ranked Fort Mill High School wrestling team was preparing to host the Outback Holiday Classic.
Scott Whisonant of the Fort Mill football team was the winner of the coveted Jerry M. Sorrow Award for being the team’s hardest worker.
Members of the Fort Mill American Legion Auxiliary made their annual Christmas visit to the Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia.
1983
Springmaid Beach announced that it would have a renovated cafeteria and four new efficiency suites for the 1984 season.
York County had $249,013 on hand after expenses for the year were paid.
In its class, the Fort Mill Marching Band won first place overall and won the rifles and flags at a recent competition.
The Fort Mill Times was filled with many, many letters to Santa from local children.
1963
Harry Hallman, manager of the B. C. Moore and Sons department store on Main Street, was named “Optimist of the Year” by the Fort Mill Optimist Club.
Religious Emphasis Week was underway at Fort Mill High School. The theme was “A Challenge to Youth.”
1943
Recent movies at the Majestic included The Human Comedy, Santa Fe Scouts, Hi Di**le Di**le, Johnny Come Lately, Destroyer, Carson City Cyclone, Mr. Lucky and Dr. Gillespie’s Criminal Case.
The first snow-fall of the season, and the first in two years, fell on Fort Mill. The snow reached a depth of one inch.
1923
The Rev. R. C. Lee, pastor of the First Baptist Church of New Orleans, was a visitor in the home of his parents in Fort Mill.
Two young Pineville men were charged with violating the Mann Act. They had brought a 15-year-old Charlotte girl and a 16-year-old Pineville girl across the state line for immoral purposes.

12/13/2023

New parking rules in affect, a big bowl game appearance and a time for mourning: it’s all in this week’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:

2003
Travis Cook, 23, Winthrop College senior and Fort Mill resident, died after being hit and trapped by a train in Columbia.
Town officials formed a committee to work on applying for the honor of being an All-American City.
More than 90 units rolled and marched through Fort Mill in the town’s annual Christmas Parade.
Charlotte residents Chuck Spencer and Luanne Coulter won the half-marathon portion of the 24th annual Springmaid Road Race.
1983
After a year of preparation, the 200-member Fort Mill High School Marching Band was off to Orlando, Fla. For the Florida Citrus Bowl.
A 43-year-old Rock Hill man, who was found hanging by his boot strings in the Fort Mill jail, died at Piedmont Medical Center.
Dr. Calvin C. Rea received a certificate of appreciation for his nine years as chairman of the Fort Mill Housing Authority.
The China Palace on Cherry Road, Rock Hill, advertised an all you can eat Sunday buffet for $4.25.
1963
William (Billy) Osborne, young Fort Mill barber, purchased Howie’s Barber Shop on Fort Mill’s Main Street.
Three Prominent Fort Mill women, Mrs. Sadie Armstrong, Mrs. Rosa Wayland and Mrs. Bessie Meacham passed away in a three-day span.
1943
Sam W. Smith, Jr., 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith of Fort Mill, was reported by the Navy as missing in action.
The members of the senior class of Fort Mill High School presented a play, “I’m in the Army Now,” in the high school auditorium.
1923
‘Birth of a Nation,” D. W. Griffith’s masterpiece, played for two days at the Majestic Theatre.
A recently posted ordinance against parking cars on Main Street for more than forty minutes took effect.

12/07/2023

In this week’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth, the FMHS student body makes a lasting decision, a suspected bank robber is arrested and more:

2003
The Charlotte Knights and York County agreed to a 3-year extension to to the team’s Fort Mill stadium lease.
Fort Mill senior Jessie Luper signed to play softball for Lenoir-Rhyne.
Fort Mill Town Councilman Waddell Gibson was recovering from a heart attack he suffered at home.
York County authorities arrested a former radio disc jockey on charges he robbed a Tega Cay bank.
1983
A record1,357 runners competed in the 1983 Springmaid sponsored by Springs Industries.
The Fort Mill Christmas parade delighted a thousand or more people as it wound through the streets of Fort Mill.
Work was completed on Fort Mill’s new public housing units and were being occupied. The units were located at the corner of Epps and Harris Roads.
A ceremony dedicating a Christmas tree in honor of H. W. Close was held in Confederate Park.
1963
Fort Mill Yellow Jacket football award winners were Frankie Campbell, Joe Lowder, Freddy Blackwelder, Donnie Shaw and Sandy Kohut.
The Fort Mill High School student body, by an overwhelming majority of 3-1, changed the long-standing name of the school’s yearbook from “The Blue and Gold” to “Yejacka.”
1943
The Eastern Defense Command stated that practice blackouts and air raid drills would continue in all Atlantic Coast states.
Governor Olin D. Johnston and Adjutant General James C. Dozier visited Fort Mill.
123
Mills Mercantile Co. received 3,000 pounds of candy for the Christmas Season.
The annual banquet of the stockholders of the First National Bank of Fort Mill was held in the American Legion hall.

11/02/2023

Friday night lights, mayoral elections decided and an interesting prediction on local growth are all part of this week’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:

2003
Ken Starnes defeated Barry Faile and 24-year-incumbent Charles Boyette in the at-large race for Fort Mill Town Council. Incumbent Charles Powers defeated Tom Adams in the mayor’s race.
For the first time in 26 years, the Indian Land Warriors football team would open the state playoffs at home. The East Clarendon Wolverines would provide the opposition.
The York County Emergency Response Team was hoping to raise $10,000 to replace outdated diving equipment.
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets, 2-8, looking to end its season on a high note, would play Lancaster, also 2-8, in the final game of the season.
1983
Charles Powers won the Fort Mill Democratic nomination for mayor by defeating Grady C. Ervin
Fort Mill Township and Indian Land were expected to be the fastest growing areas in North Central South Carolina during the next twenty years.
Several members of the Woman’s Club of Fort Mill attended the North Central District Conference held in Winnsboro.
Heritage USA announced plans to build a 514-room hotel which would be the largest in South Carolina.
1963
Fort Mill’s record was 5-1-2 after a 25-7 victory over Chesterfield at Fort Mill’s Memorial Stadium.
The recreation department sponsored a dance at the club house following the Fort Mill-Great Falls football game Ninth graders and above were welcome. Admission was 50 cents per person.
1943
Fort Mill families were asked to contribute at least $4.00 to the National War Fund Drive.
The Woman’s Auxiliary of Unity Presbyterian Church was observing a week of self-denial and prayer for home missions.
1923
Services at St. John’s Methodist Church were conducted by Miss Marie Newton and two other students from Winthrop College.
The Fort Mill football team defeated Kershaw on the local field on a Friday afternoon.
- Compiled by Chip Heemsoth, a lifelong resident of Fort Mill

10/25/2023

A new milestone, gridiron action and more in this week’s 100 Years in Fort Mill Historic by Chip Heemsoth:
2003
The Fort Mill High School band claim its 19th State Marching Band Championship and its first at its first AAAA competition making it the first band in the state to have won state titles in AA, AAA and AAAA competition.
My Place on Main, a new gift shop owned by Carol Dixon, opened on Main Street.
The past two weeks saw the Yellow Jackets football team lose to Northwestern, 0-31 and Rock Hill 0-22. Indian Land beat Buford 20-14 and Nort Central 24-20.
A Fort Mill man would serve one year in jail for the dragging death of a white Shih Tzu.
1983
The 200-member Fort Mill High School Marching Band won its third straight South Carolina State Marching Band Championship. Jim Coleman was drum major.
The gas pumps at Sutton’s Grocery on Hensley Road caught fire doing about $1,500 in damage.
Sprins Industries, Inc. elected Walter Y. Elisha, current president and CEO, to the additional position as chairman of the board.
Grady E. McMehan, 1963 graduate of Fort Mill High School, was appointed a member of South Carolina Selective Service Board No. 46.
1963
Recent movies at the Center included Hatari, Beach Party, Bye Bye Birdie, Irma Le Douce, 55 Days at Peking, Lover Come Back, The Running Man and The Haunted Palace.
At Fort Mill High School, seniors Barbara Grant and Jack Culbreath were selected as Furman Scholars and Gayle Perry became the first junior at the school to be named as Miss Hi Miss.
1943
Grady Honeycutt, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Honeycutt, was severely injured when struck by a southbound train near Culp’s Corner.
Ezra Munn, Fort Mill merchant and new U.S. Navy recruit, reported to Camp Croft in Spartanburg. Before leaving, he engaged Forest Witherspoon to assist in the management of the McConnell-Munn Co.
1923
More than 400 people saw visiting Chester defeat Fort Mill 26-0 in the first game of the season.
The enrollment of the high school had reached a total of 110, 25 more than ever before. There were 48 boys and 62 girls.

08/16/2023

A new bridge, a Six-Star mom and a firecracker squad all made news this week in 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:
2003
A Fort Mill man who had thousands of rounds of ammunition in his house and was released from jail, was back behind bars for assaulting his girlfriend.
The Charlotte Knights were talking with York County leaders about staying in Knights Stadium a little longer.
The Rev. Frank Shore was named as the youth pastor at the Fort Mill Church of the Nazarene.
A $175,000 capitol campaign, named The Crescendo, was launched by the Fort Mill High School Band.
1983
The Fort Mill School District finished the 1982-83 fiscal year with a surplus of over $100,000.
Thomas V. Beatty, 50, was named manager of engineering design In Springs Industries’ corporate engineering department.
Fort Mill High School varsity cheerleaders were attending camp at Mercer University in Macon, GA. where they won the Firecracker award for being the most spirited squad.
Fort Mill won its seventh straight Springs Cup softball title.
1963
The Fort Mill Men’s All-Star softball team, coached by J. B. Mills, won the Leroy Springs Championship. Johnny Broom was the team’s pitcher.
It was announced that all five Fort Mill schools would open on August 29 at 8:30 a.m.
1943
Mrs. Florence St. Clair of Fort Mill was one of South Carolina’s three six-star mothers; meaning she had six sons serving in the armed forces of the nation.
Philadelphia Methodist Church’s new, attractive brick edifice, built in 1942, was dedicated.
1923
Everything was in readiness for the opening of the Buster Boyd bridge over the Catawba River, 10 miles from Fort Mill. Capt. Elliott Springs was to fly under the bridge.
A federal officer came to Fort Mill from Charlotte and arrested W. H. Kennington for violating the prohibition law.
- Compiled by Chip Heemsoth, a lifelong resident of Fort Mill

08/10/2023

A second high school? Who’s back on the chain gang? Where did the new Tega Cay cop get that coat? Get the answers to those questions and more in 100 Years in Fort Mill Histoey by Chip Heemsoth:

2003
The Fort Mill School Board narrowed its options for Fort Mill High School down to three ---eliminating year-round school and a junior high-grade system. The three remaining options were a second high school, expanding the existing building, or creating a ninth-grade campus.
The Springs Foundation Inc. and the Close Foundation Inc merged into a single foundation, the Springs Close Foundation Inc.
Gail Vawter, Golgd Hill Middle School science teacher was named Fort Mill School District Teacher of the Year.
The Tega Cay Police Department added Nixon, a 1-year-old female bloodhound as its newest recruit.
1983
Scoot Lamberts’s pitching and hitting lead Jacobs to the championship of the Fort Mill Dixie Youth tournament. Lambert was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
For the 14th time in 23 years, the Fort Mill Swim Team was victorious in the Leroy Springs Aquatic Championship held at Springs Park.
Dr. Calvin Meyers was named as the new principal of the Indian Land School. He was previously the assistant principal of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia.
The Fort Mill School Board approved the design for the new Fort Mill High School to be built on Munn Road.
1963
Sherrie North, Hollywood movie star, was starring in the spicy and sexy “Irma La Deuce” at the Charlotte Summer Theatre.
The Fort Mill Men’s All-Star softball team defeated Lancaster 2-1 in both games of a double-header.
1943
Philadelphia Methodist Church, west of Fort Mill, was dedicated by the Rev. R. L. Holroyd of the Rock Hill District.
1923
B. A. Miller was again ticket agent and Western Union operator at the Southern Railway passenger station in Fort Mill.
Two Fort Mill township men, C. J. Barber and Will Barber, were sent to the county chain gang for 30 days by Magistrate E. S. Parks.
- Compiled by Chip Heemsoth, a lifelong resident of Fort Mill