Volume 5, Issue 3 - Fall Edition | 2021 |
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Something New is Brewing in Fort Mill |
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In the 1940’s there were lines outside Fort Mill “Red Dot” Stores. But today, something new is brewing in Fort Mill.
With three breweries in the town limits and several more just on the outskirts, Fort Mill offers a craft beer to suit almost any malt lover’s palate. Along with the wheats, hops, barley, malt and special brews, there is a bit of local history thrown in the mix.
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Armor Artis, the first brewery in the town limits, prides itself on its location on historic Main Street. Two brothers, Steve and Travis Tolson returned to their roots in Fort Mill to create their craft ales and lagers. Along with indoor and outdoor seating, Armor Artis offers a wide variety of special offerings from Fort Milsner Pilsner to Rhyes and Shine.
Taking its name from the incorporation date of Fort Mill, the 1873 Brewery and Pub prides itself on its connection to Fort Mill history. Offerings like Webb’s Mill Amber or Springs Blonde, James Johnson, and Steele Street Ale also emphasize the town spirit. With two Army reservists and a brewer in charge, 1873 is community supportive and military friendly.
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A third contender in the brewing business is opening soon. The Little York Brewery takes its name for the early settlement that grew into Fort Mill. Stressing a family friendly atmosphere, it should add a new range of tastes to the Fort Mill area.
While these breweries build reputation for community spirit, conviviality, and the brewer’s art to bring customers in, once the town’s relationship with alcohol was a little different.
In the 1940’s, York County allowed the retail sale of liquor while Mecklenburg County in North Carolina was dry. Enterprising retailers recognized the market possibilities and liquor stores, identified by red dots painted on the buildings, began to pop up from the state line all the way into town. In 1939, despite its small population of just over 3,000 people, Fort Mill Liquor sales totaled $798,000.
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The bus station located across White Street from the current Fort Mill Farmers’ Market, was an especially busy place on Saturdays and holidays. Two busses ran continuous routes to and from Charlotte all day carrying passengers south into town and then back to Charlotte, brown paper bags in hand. At one point there was a passenger train also delivering customers to town. In the late 1940’s when Charlotte allowed liquor sales, and South Carolina increased its liquor tax, the boom stopped and Red Dot Stores became a much less common sight.
Mike & Cheryl Hill
Fort Mill History Museum Research Team
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The museum would like to welcome the PCI Group as a new sponsor and express a big Thank You! PCI Group helped the museum get up to date with our technology so they donated a printer, an Ipad, a router, and money to purchase 2 computers. Thanks PCI for your amazing support!
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(left to right) David Ward, Jr. (FMHM Chair), Wanda Beckwith-Lee (PACE Chair - PCI, Group), David Rojas, (Implementation & Special Projects Mgr. - PCI, Group), Alisha Rosenthal (HR - PCI, Group), Christia Humburg (FMHM Executive Director), and Rick Dammann (FMHM Grant Processing Team Lead) |
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Fort Mill History Museum would like to recognize one of our outstanding volunteers, Sarah Carolyn Blair.
A Fort Mill History Museum member and volunteer since we opened our doors in 2011, we celebrate Sarah Carolyn Blair, a native Fort Mill citizen and loyal Fort Mill History Museum volunteer.
Carolyn’s working career took her to Cary, NC for a position with the EPA. During this time, she traveled from Cary to Fort Mill each weekend to care for her parents.
Since her return to Fort Mill, Carolyn has worked with children in several areas. She currently works for the Flyers After School Program and volunteers at the Anne Springs Close Greenway.
She recently joined the Property and Facilities Team for FMHM. She is a member of the Fort Mill Garden Club, which takes care of the museum grounds, so it made sense for her to join this team for the overlap. She has been seen many evenings and Saturday mornings in our yard watering the flowers and shrubs. Carolyn’s neighbors enjoy her beautiful yard throughout the year and her beautiful Christmas decorations during the holidays!
Carolyn has a beautiful smile and personality. Every time she is asked to volunteer for the museum in multiple areas, she just gives us a simple yes! We sincerely appreciate all that she does for the museum and the Fort Mill community.
Carolyn recently lost her precious dog, Toto. We grieve with her on the loss of her wonderful companion but know that Toto was given a gift with Carolyn being her caretaker. For those that know and work with Carolyn we all are better for knowing such a kind and caring person, the museum is very thankful to have Carolyn as part of our museum family.
Carol Dixon
Fort Mill History Museum Volunteer
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Become a Fort Mill History Museum Grand Club Champion today!
Grand Club Champion dollars go directly to making the mortgage history!
Grand Club Champion Benefits:
- Special recognition in the upcoming museum newsletters and communications
- Participate in a small group walking history tour of Fort Mill in 2021 and 2022
- Solicit the all-knowing and elusive FoMiHiMu Wizard for answers to three local history topics
3 Great Reasons to become a Grand Club Champion:
- Christmas will be here before you know it and a Grand Club Champion makes a great gift for that “challenging” person on your list.
- Deduct the dollars on your taxes regardless of your filing status.
- You are helping the museum achieve a Significant Goal of paying off the mortgage.
Grand Club Champions give $500 (or more) in 2021 and an additional $500 (or more) in 2022 which equals a Grand ($1,000) and helps “Make the Mortgage History”.
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Great news! We have reached the $5,000 mark toward our goal of
“Let’s Make the Mortgage History” Campaign!
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A graduate of Fort Mill High School has claim to being one of only 272 people having ever served in this manner. Richard “Dick” Oliver, Fort Mill High Class of 1951, served in the United States Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels from 1964 to 1966. Dick was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts and moved to Fort Mill after finishing the 10th grade. Dick was the oldest of four children born to Carl and Anne Oliver with his three siblings still living in Fort Mill today. Dick was an outstanding high school baseball player and served as a lifeguard at the town pool where he taught many youngsters lifesaving and swimming lessons. Before moving to Fort Mill, Dick rescued a ten-year-old boy from drowning in the Acushnet River. For this unselfish and brave achievement, Dick was awarded a Citation for Bravery certificate from Fairhaven High School, an Outstanding Heroism Medal from the American Legion, and a trip to New York where he attended a Yankee baseball game and dined with Yankee baseball great Joe DiMaggio. |
In his senior year at Fort Mill High, Dick was voted “Most Talkative” and upon graduation continued his academic career at Duke University. Dick pursued his interest in the US Navy by enrolling in the school’s ROTC program. He was a very accomplished pianist and president of his Senior Class. Dick graduated in the Spring of 1955 and joined the US Navy to fulfill his desire of becoming a pilot. He received his pilot wings in 1957 and advanced through the Navy’s Aviation Training earning fighter pilot status.
In 1964 Dick was given the honor to join the Blue Angels where he flew in the Lead Solo slot. Dick was almost finished with his three-year commitment to the Blue Angels when he was tragically killed while performing in an air show in Toronto, Canada on September 2, 1966. Dick’s funeral service was held in the Washington National Cathedral with interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Along with his family, Dick was survived by his two children, Richard Carl Oliver, II and Patricia Anne Oliver, and former wife Patricia Earline Carter.
What an honor and privilege for Fort Mill to have its very own Blue Angel.
David Ward
Fort Mill History Museum Research Team
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Did you know - Fort Mill held a “Ball and Riding Tournament” on November 18, 1869, which was four years before the town was incorporated. The ball was most likely held in the town’s public hall which was a large frame building that sat on the corner of today’s Tom Hall and Monroe White streets. The “old-fashioned” riding tournament consisted of skilled horsemen tilting at rings suspended in the air which they sought to bear off with lances. – Fort Mill Times October 13, 1910.
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Hello friends of the Fort Mill History Museum. My name is Darlene Kerr and I have proudly served on the Board of Directors for 5 years, with two terms as Vice Chair. I am originally from Illinois but have called Fort Mill home for almost 30 years and love living here. I was a teacher in the Fort Mill School District for 10 years, teaching 3rd grade where my favorite subject was South Carolina history. Fort Mill is such an important part of that history and I was drawn to learn more.
During my time on the Board of Directors I have worked on many committees and projects. Some of the ones I am most proud of are the creation of the School Traveling Trunks & Panels project, creating two Scarecrows on Main Street, working on the Historic Homes Tours, helping create the Walking Tour Brochure of downtown, This Building Has History project, and being both a Docent and Co-Chair of the Lanterns and Legends tour. My favorite event was the Fort Mill History Days where we brought out many of the district 3rd graders to spend a day in the park learning the history of the area from the Catawba’s to the present.
This will be my last year serving on the board for now, however I will continue to serve on committees. I have been proud to be on the board and look forward to seeing all the exciting things the museum will do in the future.
Darlene Kerr
Fort Mill History Museum Board of Directors
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The Fort Mill History Museum Team is excited to have Carson Cope as our new Collections Manager. Carson received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies, a Master's in History and a Master's in Library and Information Science from Winthrop University. Carson graduated with a 4.0 and received multiple awards throughout his college career.
Carson currently works at Winthrop in the Louise Pettus Archives. The museum is delighted to have him on Mondays for 8 hours and he is doing a fantastic job in documenting the Collections. Carson will be a great asset as the museum continues to grow and thrive in our community.
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Thank You Front Desk Volunteers! |
We had a wonderful time at our training in July. Thank you all very much! |
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Fort Mill History Museum
107 Clebourne Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Located in the Fort Mill Historic District
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The Fort Mill History Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Support for this project is provided by the SCPRT TAG, Town of Fort Mill & York County Accommodations Tax, FMHM members and donors.
For visitors information including lodging, contact Visit York County at 803-329-5200.
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