The History Of Historic East Town Neighborhood

   Incorporated in 1852, the village of Rock Hill became a reality when the then-town of Ebenezer refused the right away for a new north-south railway. As a result, the location of the railway was moved further southeast where the surveyors had mapped out a route through the plantations of Alexander Templeton Black and George Pendleton White. To sweeten the deal, Mr. Black gave four acres of land to the railroad company for the location of a new railroad station. As the crews worked to complete the railroad, they had to blast part of a large rocky hill that stood in their path. This “rocky hill” soon became the name of the new town that would develop due to the presence of the railroad – Rock Hill, SC.
   In 1860 Rock Hill’s population was 100 people. At that time the majority of the businesses were bars and grog houses. By 1870, 270 people called Rock Hill home and just two decades later the town had swelled to 2,744 citizens. Industry was coming to this new-south city as evidenced by the building of its first cotton factory in 1880.
   Up until 1880 most of the citizens of Rock Hill lived amongst the businesses that lined both sides of Main Street. This street ran perpendicular to the railroad line and Railroad Avenue, which paralleled the tracks. The local newspaper, the Rock Hill Herald, reported on July 15, 1880 that new houses were being built on the eastern side of the city and that the paper wanted the world to know that “Rock Hill was not standing still, but going ahead.”
   Soon Main Street was being extended further to the east into land that belonged to the family of the late George P. White. White, while working toward the completion of the roadbed that ran through his property, had died at a young age after contracting an illness. The White plantation still occupies the most prominent part of the East Town neighborhood and is located at the intersection of Elizabeth Lane and East White Street. The section of East White Street from the intersection in front of the White Plantation to the east has been around since the days of the Revolutionary War and was originally called the York-Lands Ford Road. Many well-known Revolutionary War figures traveled this road, including General Thomas (the Gamecock) Sumter, along with British military leaders such as Colonel Banastre Tarleton and Captain Christian Huck. By the early 1890’s the first cross street had intersected with Main Street and was named first College Street, then later Academy Street. College-Academy Street’s first house was a building moved to its current location on the street in 1896. Lots along Main Street were starting to become more valuable and because of the fine quality of workmanship of these early houses it was more economical to move a house to a new location rather than tear it down or build another.
   Soon large homes were springing up along the edge of the business section all the way to College-Academy Street. By 1896, lots on College-Academy Street were selling well and homes were beginning to appear along this street. In 1922, a new public park was built two blocks to the north and was named Confederate Park. With the naming of the new park, local civic leaders decided to change the name of Academy Street to Confederate Avenue to honor those who fought in the War Between the States. Confederate Park is still active today and has the honor of being the first public park in Rock Hill’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.
In 1904 it was reported in the Rock Hill Herald that a new residential street was to be cut through the remaining part of the White Plantation, known at this time as “Whiteville”. This new street would connect Main Street with White Street and was named Reid Street after a local resident. By the time the article was published in the Herald, three lots had already been sold to individuals who were in the midst of planning the construction of their new homes. Today Reid Street is lined with late Victorian style homes and is in the midst of a major transformation into an upscale neighborhood.
   As Main Street continued its eastward expansion, both White and Black Streets were also keeping pace. Soon even more cross streets were connecting White with Main and Black Streets. Around 1922, Stonewall Street was opened between these three streets and lots quickly sold with homes being constructed on them shortly thereafter. In 1924, Elizabeth Lane was cut through the White Plantation and tied in with Charlotte Avenue. Many valuable lots would eventually be sold along this stretch of road. By the 1940’s the three main streets of our neighborhood would each terminate at Albright Road. The most eastern area of the three main streets became a commercial area and remains so today.
   Historic East Town features a pre-“War Between the States” cotton plantation, cottages from the Victorian era of the 1880’s, colonial revival and four square houses of the first decade of the twentieth century, and brick ranches of the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. Currently this neighborhood is bounded by Elizabeth Lane on the west, East White Street on the north, East Black Street on the south and Albright Road to the east, with Main Street running the entire length through the middle. The neighborhood’s slogan is now “Historic East Town - Rock Hill’s FIRST Neighborhood!”
   The residents and business owners of Historic East Town Neighborhood are proud of the revival that is taking place in our neighborhood. With the expansion of the downtown business district, many downtown business people and younger professionals are looking to Historic East Town (where the oak trees are stately and tall and the neighbors are friendly) as a safe, convenient place to live and raise families.