Greer's First 100 Years OF History

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(Reprinted from the Greer Citizen; Wed., Dec. 15, 1976)

From a tiny cross roads village or trading post, Greer had its beginning 100 years ago in the year 1876, and today it has grown into a thriving city of with a population of approximately 20,000.  As we go into the next cycle of 100 years, its future looks bright and promising.

Many of the early settlers of Greer and this area have descendants who are still living and who have had important roles in the development and progress that has been achieved over the years.

During the earlier years of Greer's existence, growth seemed to move at a snail's pace and those were really "horse and buggy" days. But the rugged men and women who settled Greer (or Greer's Station as it was first known) were true pioneers who left their mark and a rich heritage for their descendants.

From earliest days, Greer had a reputation as a good trading post, and for the past half-century our city has been known as one of the best business towns in all of South Carolina. The city attracts trade from a large area and has grown and prospered through the years.

For many years, Greer was an agriculture center and the principal industry was textiles; and for textiles we are thankful. But today, many fine diversified industries have located in and around Greer, helping to give the city and area a more balanced economy.

Most of the industries, which have located in Greer and the surrounding area since the end of World War II, have expanded their plants, increased production, and added more employees with larger payrolls, all of which has been a boom to the economy of this entire area.

Since World War II, the agriculture area around Greer gradually moved away from cotton. Peaches are still an important crop, but farmers have also turned in increasing numbers to cattle raising and the growing of soybeans and other crops.

Greer is strategically located between Atlanta and Charlotte in what is projected to be one of the fastest growing areas in the country with splendid rail, highway and air transportation facilities available. The area also has dependable labor, good roads and schools, and an ideal climate.

The City of Greer has excellent utilities systems provided by the Greer Commission of Public Works.  Through the construction of Lake Robinson, which began in 1977, Greer has a water supply source adequate to meet the area's projected growth for many years to come.

Those early pioneers who established Greer's Station and played an important part in its early history would be astounded if they could come back today and see the results of what they started. And those of us living today would be just as amazed at the changes to come, if we could return 100 years from now.

Today, Greer is a blend of the old and the new. The old being the descendants of the old timers, and the new being those of us who have moved in from elsewhere to share in, and have a part in, the growth and prosperity of Greer and Upper South Carolina.