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Kineen Hotel

SC PICTURE PROJECT 3 Comments

SC Picture Project / Sumter County / Kineen Hotel

This former hotel in the historic town of Mayesville was built in 1911 during the height of the town’s economic boom. When planter Matthew Peterson Mayes – known as “Squire” – established his plantation here in the 1820s, several other family members joined him, adding their own homesteads to the otherwise undeveloped landscape.

Kineen Motel

Kelly Fickling Reardon of Sumter, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In 1852 the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad passed through Mr. Mayes’ property, and Mayes Station was constructed there to accommodate passengers. As a result, the community began to grow, though it suffered mightily during the Civil War, when the rails, cars, and depot were destroyed by Union soldiers.

Kineen Hotel Room

Kim Wright of Sumter, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The railroad was soon repaired, however, and businesses that opened in Mayesville in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century thrived. The Kineen Hotel was established to accommodate traveling salesmen who frequently stopped for a night or two in the commercial district.

Kineen Hotel Lobby

Kim Wright of Sumter, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Unfortunately, the prosperity of Mayesville was temporary; its economy was dependent on trains, and the advent of automobiles and the interstate highway system eventually depleted the town of most of its commerce. Still, the town had enjoyed a few decades of commercial vitality, including the early success of the Kineen Hotel.

Kineen Hotel Interior

Terry Lewis, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The hotel was the enterprise of W.N. McElveen, and the name “Kineen” derived from the combination of his name with that of his business partner, a man named McKinney. Sadly, the accommodation folded during the Great Depression and was sold at auction to Robert James Mayes, Jr.

Kinen Hotel Aerial

Ken Toney of Boiling Springs, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Mayes utilized the building for several purposes, including officespace and a commissary for farm workers. Mayes’ son, William, found even more uses, employing it as a place to process tobacco, cure sweet potatoes for the Gerber Baby Food Company, and provide storage to local residents.

Kineen Hotel

John Jensen of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Around 1998 the building was purchased by the Whitaker family, proprieters of a cabinet-making company. Owner Whit Whitaker envisioned restoring the building for a variety of businesses ranging from retail to restaurants.

Kineen Hotel Sumter County

Kim Wright of Sumter, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Those plans were never realized, and the Town of Mayesville purchased the building and received a $500,000 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant in 2012 to convert the space into affordable housing and public recreational space.

Kineen Hotel

John Jensen of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Kineen Hotel is listed in the National Register as part of the Mayesville Historic District:

The Mayesville Historic District is notable for its representation of the cultural, commercial, and architectural development of a small nineteenth century South Carolina community. The district, which encompasses the western half of the town, contains a concentration of eighty properties that represent a broad range of late nineteenth and early twentieth century vernacular architectural design, including commercial, residential (majority), and religious examples. Architectural styles include Neo-Classical, Victorian, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Commercial, and Bungalow. The visual appearance of the district reflects the evolution of this small rural town that developed as the result of the changing economic forces brought about by the establishment of rail transportation and subsequent commercialization in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, since its nomination many properties have been demolished or altered significantly.

More Pictures of the Kineen Hotel


Kineen Mayesville

Linda Brown of Kingstree, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Kineen Hotel Sumter County

Terry Lewis, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Kineen Hotel

John Jensen of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on the Kineen Hotel


Contributor Kim Wright shares, “I like to take pictures of old, abandoned places. I knew that Mayesville has a lot of ‘closed’ up/run down places where I could take some interesting shots.”

Kineen Black And White

Kim Wright of Sumter, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Kineen Hotel

Where is Kineen Hotel located?
Address: South Main Street, Mayesville, SC 29104
GPS Coordinates: 33.986434,-80.208473
What else should I see?
Mayesville 0 mile
P.M. Tiller House 0.3 mile
Salem Black River Presbyterian Church 7.4 miles
Concord Presbyterian Church 8.6 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Hotels & Inns
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • See other South Carolina Stores
    Kineen Hotel Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Phil Lackey says

      December 25, 2020 at 4:45 PM

      Building burned 12/24/2020.

      Reply
    2. Marilyn Wilson says

      June 25, 2019 at 3:09 PM

      What happen to the grant funds after it was purchased by the town of Mayesville? Will the money ever be utilized for what it was intended? It appears that the town has lost of its old charm and people. The school is no longer there. I wish that there was someone or something than could be done. It seems that grants are being given but nothing is happening.

      Reply
    3. Steve Gorsline says

      August 11, 2015 at 12:38 AM

      They received a $500,000 grant in 2012. Where is the money and what will be done to the building? I saw it today, 8-10-2015, and it lo – there is nothing left of the town.oks just like it does in these pictures. Nothing has been done. Even if they do something it seems like a waste ofmoney

      Reply

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