The Two RV Gypsies
went to Glendale Shoals Preserve
151 Emma Cudd Road
Glendale, SC 29302 (Spartanburg County)
April 4, 2023
USA map showing location of South CarolinaSouth Carolina map showing location of Spartanburg County

history book NOTE: If you are not interested in History, just scroll down to the photos.

In 1834, textile pioneer James Bivings moved to Glendale SC from Lincolnton, NC. He purchased 750 acres along Lawson's Fork to develop a textile mill that would be in continuous operation for almost 150 years. Back then this area was known as Bivingsville, and for the first few decades the Bivingsville Cotton Manufacturing Company was the largest cotton mill in Spartanburg County. (Photo remnants of the mill are shown further down this page.)

Over the years, the mill changed hands several times. Dexter Edgar Converse put his life savings into purchasing the mill with Bomar and Company in 1855, and expanded its spindles, looms and workers considerably. After the Civil War broke out, the Bivingsville Cotton Manufacturing Company began weaving cloth. Many mills in the area at this time were facing bankruptcy, but Dexter E. Converse kept the Bivingsville Cotton Manufacturing Company afloat by bartering cloth during these tough times.

In 1870, the Bivingsville Cotton factory was sold to Converse and the mill's name changed to D.E. Converse & Company. The mill not only survived the Panic of 1873 and Reconstruction, but expanded its spindles, looms and workers. The mill village had also grown. In 1878, Bivingsville's name changed to Glendale, on the suggestion of Converse's wife after she made a trip to Glendale, California. In 1899, Dexter E. Converse died and his relative, Albert Twichell, became the next president.

Glendale prospered as the century turned. By 1900, the town had a school with 125 students and one teacher. However, finding workers for the mill became an increasing problem and workers were recruited from as far away as the mountains of North Carolina. World War I brought increased work for Glendale and the other textile mills of the Piedmont. In the 1930s the Great Depression hit the mills hard, but with World War II, the textile community boomed once again. The mill ran three shifts to meet the demand.

From 1946 until 1957 the mill was owned and operated by J.L. Stifel and Sons of Wheeling, West Virginia. They made major renovations, concerting the mill from steam power to electricity and remodeling many of the company houses.

In 1957 the mill was sold to Indian Head Mills. The sale became the beginning of the end for textile manufacturing in Glendale and manufacturing in the mill stopped in November 1961.

After the mill ceased operations many businesses closed down. From 1961 until 2004 the vacant mill was used by several owners for warehouse space including the storage of Rolls Royce parts. After the factory burned in 2004, present-day owner Glyn Morris and his partners donated the remaining mill office building to Wofford College. He also donated six acres along the river to the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to build a hiking trail.

The land consists of thirteen acres and is located at the old Glendale Mill on Lawson’s Fork Creek. The property is scenic, with a waterfall that cascades over a dam, and is said to have significant plant, animal, and bird life (although, on this date, the two RV Gypsies only saw one bird which Karen Duquette photographed as it flew away - that photo is shown later on, down this page).

When the water is low, many people walk across the shoals at their own risk, skip some rocks and enjoy the view. The two RV Gypsies choose to just enjoy the view.

The preserve is open from down to dusk. No motorized vehicles, no hunting, no camping, no campfires, no firearms, no paintball, no climbing on bridges, no cutting of flowers, trees or plants. Pets must be on a leash under owner's control. Swim or wade at your own risk - shoes required.

Above quote from https://historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HMTWZ_welcome-to-glendale-shoals_Glendale-SC.html

artwork sign about early Iron Works

The two RV Gypsies had trouble finding a parking spot on this side of the bridge, as there are very few parking areas street side. But they did find a spot near near the sign shown above. However, they later discovered that there are some regular parking spots on the other side of the bridge. The bridge is obviously closed off to vehicle traffic now.

bridge at Glendale Shoals Glendale Shoals sign

Below: After walking down some stairs located to the right of the bridge shown above, the two RV Gypsies got their first looks at the waterfall.

waterfall at Glendale Shoals waterfall at Glendale Shoals
waterfall at Glendale Shoals waterfall at Glendale Shoals
waterfall at Glendale Shoals Karen Duquette

Then it was time to walk a bit further down and explore the area by crossing over the rocks.

Karen Duquette Karen Duquette at Glendale Shoals

Below: The two RV Gypsies got their first views of what is left of the mill.

Karen Duquette Karen Duquette at Glendale Shoals
log at Glendale Shoals Lee Duquette at Glendale Shoals

Below: Looking left towards the falls, then to the right away from the falls.

waterfall at Glendale Shoals Glendale Shoals

Below: Looking across the waters at the remains of the factory that burned down in 2004. (Better views are shown further down this page when the two RV Gypsies get to the other side of the waterfall.)

part of the mill left at Glendale Shoals part of the mill left at Glendale Shoals

Below: Time for some "selfies" with the waterfall in the background.

Karen Duquete and the waterfall at Glendale Shoals The two RV Gypies at Glendale Shoals

Below: Karen Duquette saw several birds on the rocks, but just as she started to take a photo, they flew away. So she just got photos of them flying away.

birds flying away birds flying away
birds flying away birds flying away
the waterfall at Glendale Shoals remains of the cotton mill

Below: More photos of what remains of the cotton mill.

remains of the cotton mill remains of the cotton mill
remains of the cotton mill remains of the cotton mill and the waterfall
remains of the cotton mill
Karen Duquette at Glendale Shoals Lee Duquette at Glendale Shoals
Lee Duquette at Glendale Shoals Lee Duquette at Glendale Shoals
small falls at Glendale Shoals Karen Duquette at Glendale Shoals
small falls at Glendale Shoals small falls at Glendale Shoals
falls at Glendale Shoals

Below: Time for Lee and Karen Duquette to head back towards the falls and then over to the other side of the falls.

Lee Duquette at Glendale Shoals
Glendale Shoals and flowers flower at Glendale Shoals
flowers at Glendale Shoals flower at Glendale Shoals

Below: Lee Duquette approaching the stairs going back up to the roadway.

Lee Duquette leaving Glendale Shoals

Below: Leaving this area and going up the stairs, Lee Duquette was in front of Karen Duquette, so she called out to him to turn around for a picture. So then Lee took a photo of Karen going up the stairs to the roadway.

Lee Duquette on the stiarcase Karen Duquette on the stiarcase

Below: After going up the stairs, the two RV Gypsies went around to walk over the bridge that was shown at the top of this page. The walk across the bridge provided for some interesting views of the waterfall.

the waterfall as seen from the bridge at Glenadal Shoals the waterfall as seen from the bridge at Glenadal Shoals

Below: Karen Duquette zoomed in on the logs that were resting at the top of the waterfall.

logs on top of the waterfall logs on top of the waterfall

Below: A few more photos as the two RV Gypsies walked on the bridge across the top of the waterfall.

view from the bridge at Glendale Shoals view from the bridge at Glendale Shoals

Below: Photos taken from the other side of the waterfall.

the other side of the waterfall and the Amphitheater The Amphitheater at Glendale Shoals
Locater map sign about Carolyn Fawcett Converce Garden

Below: A photo showing the way the Glendale Mill looked in its prime, plus a bit of the history.

Glendale Mill in its prime

Below: The remains of the Glendale Mill as exists on this date.

remains of the Glendale Mill remains of the Glendale Mill

Below: Lee Duquette thought this sign was funny because it includes "Humans" in the Mammals Present list.

mammals at Glendale sign

Below: Lee Duquette went to the backside of the trees, near the water, to take a different angle of the bridge and falls. So Karen Duquette took a photo of him from a spot a bit closer to the waterfalls.

Lee Duquette taking photos

Below: Lee Duquette's photo taken from behind the trees, and Karen Duquette's photo taken while standing a few feet closer to the bridge.

bridge and waterfall at Glendale Falls bridge and waterfall at Glendale Falls
waterfall at Glendale Falls waterfall at Glendale Falls
waterfall at Glendale Falls waterfall at Glendale Falls
 

Below: Information sign and background on the Labyrinth

background about the Labyrinth

Below: Karen Duquette took a brief walk around the Labyrinth. Lee Duquette did not nor did he photograph her doing so.

Labyrinth at Glendale Shoals
 
flower at Glendale Shoals flower at Glendale Shoals

Below: Glendale's post office has been in operation since 1878.

Glendale's post office
Wofford Labyrinth at Gllendale Shoals Glendale sign

Below: Leaving the waterfalls and the town of Glendale, the two RV Gypsies spotted a few interesting things around the small town.

Bananas Giraffe on a wall
Bananas Giraffe on a wall mural artist name

Below: As Lee Duquette drove past the backside of some "art", Karen Duquette quickly snapped a photo through the window of their moving car. So then Lee drove around the corner so Karen could get a photo of the front side of that art.

unique art statues in Glendale unique art statues in Glendale

Below: Photos taken from the car as the two RV Gypsies left the area.

sign about Daniel Morgan Avenue in Glendale Spartanburg Community College water tower

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go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Wade's Restaurant in Spartanburg, SC and some cute signs on the walls.

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