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Imperial Tobacco Company

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SC Picture Project / Florence County / Imperial Tobacco Company

A leading tobacco market since the late nineteenth century, Lake City is rich with agricultural history. This warehouse was completed in 1912 for the overseas company, Imperial Tobacco. Based in Great Britain and Ireland, the company processed tobacco leaves before selling them on the market. The processed leaves were stored here.

Imperial Tobacco Building, Lake City

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Once harvested, tobacco leaves were cured, or dried, on site of the farm within tobacco barns, also called pole barns. Most barns in South Carolina utilized artificial heat to cure their leaves, while barns in neighboring states relied on natural ventilation. Brick furnaces were built within the pole barns with flues positioned at the bottom to circulate the artificial heat. The leaves were strung on poles and then hung horizontally inside the barn to dry.

Imperial Tobacco Company

Jim Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Imperial Tobacco Company would then buy the cured leaves from around the South and re-dry and process them in a manufacturing plant. The Imperial Tobacco plant stood next door to this warehouse, where the leaves were stored. The company sold the buildings to a Lake City business, T.S. Ragsdale and Company, in 1960. Ragsdale operated until 1971.

Imperial Tobacco interior

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

The processing plant was demolished in early 2013 to make way for parking. The Imperial Tobacco Building is presently owned and managed by the Lake City Partnership Council, which plans to redevelop the building. Future use of the building is yet to be determined, but ideas include family living space and a fine arts center.

Imperial Tobacco Building Detail

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Historical Pictures of the Imperial Tobacco Company


Contributor R. Myers Truluck, Jr., who sent in these photos, says: “These are 35mm black-and-white photographs that I took of the old Imperial Tobacco Company (of Great Britain and Ireland), Ltd. building in Lake City. The photos were taken back when the property was in its intact, “un-salvaged,” vine-covered state. The Lake City water tower, which is depicted as viewed from the Imperial Building, is sadly no longer standing.”

Imperial Tobacco Abandoned

R. Myers Truluck, Jr. of Columbia, 1996 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Imperial Tobacco Historic

R. Myers Truluck, Jr. of Columbia, 1996 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Imperial Tobacco Company Historic

R. Myers Truluck, Jr. of Columbia, 1996 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Imperial Tobacco Windows

R. Myers Truluck, Jr. of Columbia, 1996 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Imperial Tobacco Water Tower

R. Myers Truluck, Jr. of Columbia, 1996 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Historical Marker – Imperial Tobacco Company


Lake City Tobacco Marker

Jim Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Imperial Tobacco Marker

Jim Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Imperial Tobacco Company

Where is Imperial Tobacco Company located?
Address: 222 South Acline Street, Lake City, SC 29560
GPS Coordinates: 33.869118,-79.756293
What else should I see?
Lake City Pole Barn 0.2 mile
Lake City First Baptist 0.3 mile
Bean Market 0.3 mile
Jones-Carter Gallery 0.3 mile
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Barns & Farms
  • See other South Carolina Historical Photos
  • Lake City Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Water Towers
    Imperial Tobacco Company Map

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    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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    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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