This building served as the W.D. Summer Store and sat about a half mile from the Hope Station depot in the Newberry County town of Pomaria. Building general stores near train depots was a common strategy for merchants during the height of rail travel.
Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent
W.D. Summer found success as a merchant in Newberry County and even opened Newberry‘s first liquor store in 1935. It is said that the store sold $500 worth of alcohol during its opening day. Summer operated other stores around the county, including this one.
Do you know a story or have any information about the W.D. Summer Store? If so, please send it to the South Carolina Picture Project. Thank you!
The original Pomaria post office was at the site of the Pomaria Nursery. The derivation of the name is another story. I believe the property was owned by a Dr. Summer. There are still scars on the door of the post office/pharmacy where Sherman’s troop tried to break in. Folklore credits the intervention of Dr. Summer’s slaves with the survival of the very attractive antebellum home and the post office. Located roughly two miles South of the modern post office (29126) on U.S. 176.
The photo above is the Summers Store. It is located approx. half a mile from Hope Station.