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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Iva

SC PICTURE PROJECT 9 Comments

SC Picture Project / Anderson County / Iva

The small town of Iva sits in Anderson County near the Abbeville County line. Unincorporated until 1904, it was settled in the late eighteenth century as Cook’s Station. The town, founded by Dr. Augustus Cook, was a shipping station for the Seaboard Railroad. When he discovered another community called Cook’s Station in South Carolina, Dr. Cook changed the town’s name to Iva in honor of his daughter, Iva Cook Bryson.

Iva SC Mural

David Reed of Norcross, GA, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Iva thrived for a time with a textile mill and local businesses. Jackson Textile Mill, seen below, was built in 1905 by Thomas C. Jackson. The mill was a dependable source of income for Iva residents throughout much of the twentieth century, causing economic hardships when it closed in the early 1990s. Today, the mill buildings stand empty in the center of the small town.

Iva Textile Mill

David Reed of Norcross, GA, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Pictured below is the old Iva Drugstore, which was built in 1906. Unfortunately, time took its toll on the building and it was demolished in October 2009. Today residents of Iva enjoy nearby Lake Secession, and the town’s proximity to other bodies of water such as Lake Thurmond, Lake Russell, Lake Greenwood, and the Savannah River lend to its nickname, “The Gateway to the Freshwater Coast.”

Iva Drugstore

Michael R. Bannister of Iva, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Iva sponsors community events such as the Summer Nights annual concert series and Art Week each January. In April of 2015, Iva hosted the inaugural Spring and Garden Express, a flower and garden event for local green thumbs.

Iva in Autumn

William Thursby of Ware Shoals, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Historic Pictures of Jackson Mill in Iva


The following photos were graciously contributed to us from a private collector. The captions under each photo are what appeared on the back of each photograph to explain operations at Jackson Mills. These photos were thought to have been from the 1940s. One of the photographs had the name “Coxe High Grade Photography Greenville, SC” on the back.

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Accompanying notation: “Blends (mixes) of fibers so stock will be more uniform”

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Same as old spinning wheels but faster. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Lining fibers parallel similar to hand cards or curry comb for horses. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Condenses sliver and adds twist to give strength. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Transferring thread to larger packages. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Starching and sizing thread so it becomes harder to break. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Removes waste and makes a lap similar to that Grandmother used in quilts. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Removes waste and makes a lap similar to that Grandmother used in quilts. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Grading cloth. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
While this was not captioned, a man can be seen sweeping the floor © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Loading Bales. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Transferring thread to larger packs. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jackson Mills Historic Photo

Private Collection, c. 1940s © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
Bales are opened and allowed to fluff or bloom. © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

More Pictures of Iva


Iva Drugstore

William Thursby of Ware Shoals, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Iva Water Tower

William Thursby of Ware Shoals, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Iva


Contributor Michael R. Bannister shares, “In the early 1900s, Dr. Ernest Watson opened this drugstore and sold family remedies, Nunnally’s candy, fancy stationary, and school supplies.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Iva

Where is Iva located?
Address: West Front Street, SC 29655
GPS Coordinates: 34.306092,-82.663960
Website: http://townofiva.com
What else should I see?
Lake Secession 7.3 miles
Starr 8.5 miles
Providence Presbyterian 10.7 miles
Lowndesville Bank 10.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Stores
    Iva Map

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    Comments

    1. Brant Hart says

      January 5, 2021 at 10:19 PM

      Thomas Carruth Jackson who founded Jackson Mill was my great grandfather. His daughter, Lois Elvira Jackson Welch, was my maternal grandmother. Her mother was Leila Tecora Beaty Jackson. Leila had two sisters, Annie and Pearl Beaty, who taught at the local school. I always enjoyed visiting Aunt Annie and Aunt Pearl in Iva. It was like going back in time. I remember in 1959 seeing an old crank telephone in their kitchen. It was no longer functional, but it was interesting to see.

      Reply
    2. Johnny Smith says

      February 26, 2020 at 9:24 PM

      I worked at Jackson Mill in the mid-sixties while still in high school at Crescent. I worked 2nd shift in the card room. Both of my parents worked there also. I noticed in several photos what looked like air conditioning duct work. Not there when I worked there!

      Reply
    3. Loralee says

      May 5, 2019 at 8:58 PM

      Hello,

      I just found out that my 4th great grandfather attended the Good Hope Church in the Pendleton District (so I assume the one in Iva) sometime before 1820. How would I go about finding out more about the church, or hopefully even finding church records?

      Thank you!

      Loralee Wellington

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        May 6, 2019 at 12:29 PM

        Hey, we saw that Good Hope Baptist in Iva has a website and a contact form. We recommend reaching out to them directly to inquire if they have access to church records and if not they may know who does. Hope this helps, here is the address: https://www.goodhopeiva.org/contact-1.

        Reply
    4. Jean Carter Gregory says

      July 30, 2018 at 12:11 PM

      Grew up here on Rocky River Road. Love to go back and see the old town. Parents both worked at the mill!

      Reply
    5. Cheryl says

      July 30, 2018 at 11:47 AM

      We live outside of Iva and love this little town. All the new changes and businesses in the last ten years have made our little town even better.

      Reply
    6. Kim Davies says

      February 8, 2017 at 8:16 AM

      I heard they’re cleaning up the town that I hope is being restored to its natural beauty. A friend told me many drugs and trap houses are still there. I am concerned because of purchasing a home.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        February 8, 2017 at 8:20 AM

        Hopefully, the area Chamber of Commerce can help with your question: http://www.andersonscchamber.com/iva.html

        Reply
    7. Dennis Metz says

      March 7, 2016 at 1:50 AM

      Great site for those of us who were reared here!

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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