Stepping into the Wayback Machine and turning the dial to 300 years ago, you would see herds of buffalo, elk, and deer wandering without a care through dense forests and sipping cool water from pristine streams. In the days before the American Revolution, this was Cherokee Territory, and only the most intrepid made their way into the foothills.
First known as Pleasantburg, its name was changed to Greenville in 1831. With ample water resources and rail service, Greenville became the center of textiles in the state. Between 1880 and 1903, there were some 13 mills opened in the Greenville area utilizing water power from the Reedy and other rivers. Some mill owners provided housing and stores for their employees. Within these mill villages developed something else…baseball teams.
Recruited to play for the Brandon Mill team at 13, Joe Jackson probably made more playing baseball on Saturdays ($2.50) than he did all week pulling a 12-hour shift each day. Jackson went on to play in the bigs and currently has the third highest lifetime batting average (.356) in major league history.
Along about the same time that Joe was swinging Black Betsy, a store on Main Street, Meyers-Arnold was making a name for itself. From offering clothing for women and children, the store diversified to include all matters of goods from toasters to towels and shirts to shoes. Employees of Meyers-Arnold were asked to cater to their customers and to take care of their needs. Gosh, that sounds familiar…and that’s not the only thing you’ll find from a by-gone era at 111 North Main Street in Downtown Greenville.
-
FOOD FOR KIDS 2018 MARKS TEN-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH MERRELL FOOTWEAR
"Have you eaten?"
That's the secret code for love and care in many families, but it's a question of real consequence for more people than many realize. That's why Mast Store is partnering with Merrell Footwear and local food agencies to turn the answer to that questioninto a resounding "yes" in our communities, especially for one of the most vulnerable populations, our children.
Read More -
Fall Foliage Primer - October 10, 2018
Read More
It's Week Three for the 2018 Fall Foliage Primer. More color is appearing, but it is appearing slowly. Most areas will have rain through the middle of the week, but the weekend will be great for getting out to local farmers' markets, music festivals, state and national park tours, or a drive along your favorite country road. All locations are filled with abundant color - it's just not from the leaves quite yet. -
Fall Foliage Primer - October 3, 2018
Read More
Week two of the 2018 Fall Foliage Primer finds that someone has pushed the pause button on the colors ... and fall temperatures, too. There are spotty colors in some of the highest elevations of the mountains, but if you know where to look, there's still fall color to be had. Look for events, mushrooms, vines, and the late blooms of summer. Check out what our reporters are recommending this week. -
On the Cutting Edge
Read More
Do you carry a knife? What kind is it – traditional, like a “grandpa” pocket knife, or more modern with open assist and a clip? If you spend much time in the Mast Store knife shop, you’ll find that a simple question can open the door to a million and one possibilities. Purchasing a knife is a personal experience, much like choosing a purse for a woman or a wallet for a man. When you visit the Knife Shop at the Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis or the knife collections in any Mast Store location, you’ll want to consider the answers to three basic questions: What is your budget? How will you be using your knife? Do you prefer a folding or a fixed blade?
Our Greenville location had humble beginnings as a shoe and dry good store. As the city grew, so did the need for diversity in what your favorite store carried. In the early 1900s, the building at 111 North Main Street became Meyers-Arnold Department Store. It was locally owned and very customer service oriented. On opening night for Mast Store, many members of the family attended the special event and shared some really poignant memories.
*Photo Courtesy of the Greenville Historical Society, The Coxe Collection.
Read more
