In the 1900s, the West Greenville area flourished alongside the mill industry.

The area we now call The Village was a place for workers to shop, eat, and spend their free time together. It was the cornerstone of a community.

Child pointing in front of industrial building landscape, black and white photo.

1902

Woodside Mill opens its doors and begins operation.

Vintage brick building labeled "Brandon Stores" with cars parked in a 1940s setting, featuring an Esso gas station sign in the background.

1920

West Greenville and its mill communities flourished alongside its booming textile industry.

1901

Brandon Mill opens its doors and begins operation.

Vintage photo of a man in a suit and hat holding a baseball bat, surrounded by three baseball players in Brandon uniforms, on a baseball field.

1940s

The aftermath of WWII and the Great Depression hit the textile mill harshly. The industry was on the decline.

Group of students and faculty posed in front of Parker District High School, wearing various uniforms and outfits, suggesting diverse school activities.

1960s

Economic disinvestment hit the Mill Crescent, and many mill communities saw factories shut down and homes sold.

Chain-link fence with a parking lot and brick building in the background

Historic industrial building with tall windows and chimney, surrounded by a group of children outside.

1914

Woodside Mill adds a second addition, making it the largest cotton mill under one roof in the world. With these large mills came the Brandon, Woodside, and Judson mill villages; each with its own community with stores, sports teams, and churches.

Vintage photo of Brandon Laundry staff and delivery trucks

1925

The Brandon community grew to 2,000 residents, providing food, housing, education, and healthcare for the locals. They were a tight-knit community who took care of each other and participated in daily activities together. They were a family of families.

Vintage storefront of "Dixie Stores" with three people in aprons standing outside.

1948

West Greenville revoked its charter and merged with the City of Greenville. The mill villages, however, still had its own special way of life.

Vintage black and white photo of a small, two-story movie theater with a marquee and two poster frames on the facade. The building has two windows on the upper floor and a canopy over the entrance.

1977

Brandon Mill closes its doors. West Greenville was impacted by jobs lost and industries evaporated.

2001

Renovations to restore the empty mills into apartments and homes for the ever-growing population of Greenville began. ArtBomb Studios opened its doors in the former Brandon Mill General Store. A wave of aspiring artists and business owners followed to West Greenville and opened their own businesses.

Street view of a two-story brick building with large windows and a black truck parked in front.

Exterior of "Golden Brown & Delicious" restaurant with person standing in front, white brick building with large windows and black roof in a sunny setting.

2021

The area of West Greenville was renamed to “The Village” to pay homage to the mill history.

2017

A $1.8 million grant was awarded to support
the redevelopment of West Greenville and to connect the mill villages to modern and future amenities.

Street view of a colorful building with murals, outdoor seating, and string lights in an evening setting.

Street view of a row of small shops with signs, one indicating a pottery store is open, and bare trees along the sidewalk on a clear day.

Today, The Village is an inspiring area full of grit and determination from the small business owners and locals that create our community. Our home is an artistic and welcoming place that serves as a hub for the arts and an ode to the history that built Upstate South Carolina.