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Old Saluda Factory

SC PICTURE PROJECT 10 Comments

SC Picture Project / Lexington County / Old Saluda Factory

These blue granite ruins, visible on the banks of the Saluda River along the River Trail at Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens, are all that remain of the old Saluda Factory. Built in 1834 by businessmen Shubel Blanding and David Ewart, the West Columbia factory functioned as one of the earliest textile mills in the South. Today, its ruins remind us of industrialization’s impact upon a region as well as its tenuous rewards.

Saluda River Factory Ruins

Michael K. Jones of Lexington, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

At the time of the Saluda Factory’s inception, the mill was opposed by area planters who saw industry as a potential threat to the state’s culture. In particular, agrarians feared that wage labor would allow lower-class workers to become financially independent and gain their own political voice as a result. Nonetheless, plans for the factory proceeded and the mill was built on 200 acres along the Saluda River.

Saluda Factory Remains

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The planters’ fears were unfounded, as the Saluda Factory was operated entirely by slaves. Owner David Ewart placed an ad to sell the fledgling business in the Charleston Courier on September 3, 1839, which included “valuable cotton manufactory and Slave Operatives for sale.” The announcement goes on to advertise “3838 spindles and 64 looms – also 64 slaves.” In fact, the primary product made at the Saluda Factory was brown shirting, also known as “Southern strips,” a material used to make slave clothing. The factory later produced military uniforms.

Old Saluda Factory near Lexington

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The factory was modestly successful before the Civil War. From 1864 until 1865, however, the grounds swelled with makeshift huts that housed 1,300 Union prisoners. One of only a few Confederate prison camps, it was called Camp Sorghum for the main fare fed to inmates. In advance of Sherman’s march, the prisoners were transferred first to a lot next to the Insane Asylum in Columbia, and from there to Charlotte, North Carolina. Troops led by General Howard of the US Army burned the factory to the ground in February of 1865. The sketch seen below was featured in the April 1, 1865 edition of Harper’s Weekly.

Saluda Factory Sketch

Harper’s Weekly, April 1, 1865

In 1874 the factory was rebuilt of wood atop the original stone foundations. Ten years later, in 1884, that structure also burned. Saluda Factory was not rebuilt after this fire, but its ruins can still be seen. Also of interest within the boundaries of the former mill are traces of the old Cherokee Path, designated as the State Road by the Board of Public Works in 1820.

Saluda River Factory

Michael K. Jones of Lexington, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Saluda Factory is listed in the National Register:

The sites of Saluda Factory, Camp Sorghum and old State Road are principal parts of a section that is linked together geographically and historically, its significance including industry, commerce, military and transportation. The Saluda Factory Ruins are part of the early history of textile manufacturing. Begun in 1834, this factory was among the first textile firms in the state and as such was opposed by a number of influential South Carolinians who preferred a wealthy agrarian society. The factory was burned in 1865 by General Howard’s column of Sherman’s army. After the Civil War a wooden factory three stories high was built on the original granite foundation. This building burned on August 2, 1884 and was never rebuilt.

All that remains are the granite foundations which give a clear outline of the building’s dimensions and the granite sluices used for diverting water to power the mill. The site of Camp Sorghum was one of a handful of Confederate prison camps. 1300 Northern soldiers were confined there from the autumn of 1864 to February 1865, when news of Sherman’s approach prompted the Confederates to transfer the prisoners to an enclosed yard adjacent to the insane asylum in Columbia. When it became obvious that Columbia would be forced to surrender, the prisoners were moved north to Charlotte, NC. The old State Road which bounded Saluda Factory and Camp Sorghum on the east was originally the Cherokee path. In 1820 the Board of Public Works designated this road the State Road and thereby perpetuated one of the oldest and most traveled routes in the development of the South Carolina upcountry.

More Pictures of the Old Saluda Factory


Old Saluda Factory Ruins

Michael K. Jones of Lexington, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Saluda Factory

Michael K. Jones of Lexington, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Saluda Factory Historic District

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Saluda Factory

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Old Saluda Factory

Where is Old Saluda Factory located?
Address: 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, SC
GPS Coordinates: 34.010583,-81.081357
What else should I see?
Gunter-Summers House 2.7 miles
Columbia Canal 2.7 miles
Little Red School House 2.8 miles
Douglas Cemetery 3.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Bygone Landmarks
  • See other South Carolina Military
  • See other South Carolina Mills
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • West Columbia Historic Sites
    Old Saluda Factory Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula G. Oxner says

      June 5, 2019 at 10:31 AM

      I grew up on the Saluda River. It was our playground. We kept the area clean. My Dad would not allow us to leave trash behind. I learned to swim at the sandbar on the Lexington side of Saluda River.

      Reply
    2. Paula G. Oxner says

      June 5, 2019 at 10:29 AM

      I would like to use the photos and description to teach a Sunday School class the histsory of Lexington, SC. The photos and remarks will be used for information only in teaching and shring. Thank you, Paula G. Oxner

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        June 5, 2019 at 2:47 PM

        We always hope that this project will further education on our rich heritage, please feel free to use this website in your classroom, we are honored!

        Reply
    3. Steve Jarz says

      September 12, 2018 at 11:09 AM

      Hi, I am from New York and when I visit my sister in Lexington, the zoo and gardens are a favorite spot. This is my second time I have visited there. The walk to the ruins is amazing!!! Do you have any other info on the mill? Any drawings of what the structure looked like?

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        September 14, 2018 at 2:46 AM

        Hello Steve, we are so glad you asked, there is a sketch found on the site now that we added: https://scpictureproject.org/lexington-county/old-saluda-factory.html.

        Reply
    4. Ricky Applewhite says

      August 1, 2018 at 8:11 PM

      A tour would be so awesome! Thanks to all for the information and great photos. Wondering if there are any pictures of the mill.

      Reply
    5. Kacey Butler says

      May 3, 2016 at 10:40 PM

      Do you absolutely have to enter the Riverbank Zoo Botanical Gardens to see this site? Or can you just visit for free without going through the zoo?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        May 4, 2016 at 6:05 AM

        You have to see it from the zoo/gardens.

        Reply
    6. Caroline Curran says

      January 30, 2014 at 4:35 PM

      Fascinating. There was a Board of Public Works in 1820? Can this info and these pictures be shared? I saw copyright by Bill Fitzpatrick.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        January 31, 2014 at 9:20 AM

        Yes, please share! The copyright is for the photographers so their images aren’t misused, but we love for readers to share the interesting history of our state, as do our photographers!

        Reply

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