Though pronounced Try-o, the community of Trio near Andrews was named for a trio of brothers: William, Walter, and James Bryan. The Bryan brothers relocated to the area from North Carolina to establish a turpentine business along the Georgetown and Lanes Railroad. The railroad was built in 1882, and the following year, the Bryan brothers established a post office, officially naming the town Trio.
In keeping with the community’s name, the brick building actually served three purposes during its use. Not only was the postal service originally housed here, but a bank and store were also located in the same building at different points during the twentieth century. In fact, you can still see the sign for “The Bank of Trio” above the second-story windows in the photo above!
According to contributor Sandra Delaine Cave, Trio’s original post office was run by Jackie Salter, who also operated a farm on the Trio Road. Sandra also says there was once a cotton gin and grist mill on site, and a health clinic was located here as well.
The building last served as a store under the ownership of Victor and Pearl Rowell, who operated their business here until the early 2000s.
Reflections on the Trio Post Office
Linda Brown of nearby Kingstree contributed much of the information on Trio above and also the photos above and below. She also shares this interesting tidbit about the area: The Seaboard Road was built on the old Georgetown and Lane rail bed, and it is “the longest straight stretch of road in South Carolina – 20 miles without a single curve between Lane and Andrews.”
A reader named Jill Moore says, “My husband and I were out riding our motorcycle one Saturday and saw a sign for Trio (pronounced with a long i). I had seen this sign many times but had not seen this little town. So we drove through and the old post office caught my eye. I felt it represented Trio because the town is slowly dying. I understand that Trio use to be a thriving little train community, but the trains are gone now, and the town is reverting into just a few buildings at the cross roads.”
Jill further shares, “These little towns remind me of what used to be and puts my imagination on overdrive. What ghosts are wondering the town? Does one still hear the train whistles? Were there cattle pens for holding animals for shipping to market? Where was the general store? Did the general store have a pickle barrel, and sell boiled peanuts and RC Colas? These are some of the things that I think about when I see an old, dying town.”
More Pictures of the Trio Post Office
I remember visiting my grandparents who lived in Trio, SC. I remember going to the post office. Does anyone know or remember David and Ruby Evans? This was back in the early to late 1970s.
My family moved to Trio in 1935, the year I was born. The post office at that time and during my childhood was operated by Mr. W. P. Moore from his store located just across the street from the bank building. I believe that after Mr. Moore, it was operated by Mrs. Mary Salters for a time and then moved to the bank building.
I have been told that my 2nd great grandfather – William Prichard Moore, Sr. – ran the store and US Post Office in Trio. He died in June of 1947. The photo I have of him out front of the store / post office looks different than this brick building.
Hi Phillip! Please share your photo. We’d absolutely love to see it and hopefully help you solve the mystery! 🙂
I love going through there! I have visited that area since early 70s with friends of mine who have and have had many family members there. (Rhett Lockliear Family, also related to Rowells, Coopers, and Ackermans). It’s like stepping back in time.
My grandmother, Louise Barrineau Ward, lived in Trio in a house located right behind this building. I have wonderful childhood memories of Trio … Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house with all of my family. There were 9 children in the Ward family so this was a large dinner crowd every Sunday. My sisters, cousins and I were frequently in the store and knew all of the Rowell family who ran the store at the time. The post office was in another building adjacent to this building and we loved visiting Mrs. Mary where we could check my Granny’s mail and get penny candy enclosed in a glass case. We knew everyone in Trio and they all knew us … wonderful memories! I still travel through frequently even though my grandmother and Uncle Lewis Ward are no longer living. Wonderful church still there, many of my family funerals are still held there. Trio is a quite a historic little place.
I was born in Trio, S.C. in 1951, to a sharecropper. I can remember going to the Rowell store with my parents. How the food was sold by Lbs. everything was 10 cents a pound. All the business was central located, bank, post office, health clinic, and grocery store. I still visit the church that my mother attended, which is over a (100) one hundred years old, a few miles west of Lanes Highway. The old St. John’s. This was a surprise to see the community notice.
Just found out my family is from Trio. Was told there is a Flowers’ family cemetery there. Would appreciate any feedback. Thank you.
I have been told that there is an old, overgrown cemetery just past and behind the church. I guess in the woods. I have no idea who is buried there but would love to visit it.
The original Post Office was ran by Mr Jackie Salter. I was born in 1947. The Salters had a farm on the Trio Road and lived in a house down the street in the same area Victory Rowell lives now. There was also a cotton gin there [and a] grit mill. The others stores were Roy Cooper Louis Ward and the Rowell general and the bank. A health clinic was also there.
Thank you so much for letting us know. Pieces of information like this are invaluable, and we are greatly appreciative!
I was there in 1997. Nice little village. I saw cotton fields.
I was in Trio, SC in 1993 for a family meeting. I loved going in there for a cold soda.
I think it used to be the Bank of Trio too. I go by there all the time. I will pay close attention the next time I do …
My father was born in Trio before the stock market crashed in 1929, my grandfather worked at this post office and was one of the few that owned a vehicle to deliver the mail. He lost his job after the Post office was closed, and I assume Trio started to die out as little towns do.