Hickman Mill Historic District
National Register Listing
Street Address:
SW Corner of Marshall St. and Canal St., Graniteville, SC (Aiken County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817702039
Description and Narrative:
The boundaries for The Hickman Mill Historic District include two contributing buildings: the Hickman Mill, a three-story Mill building with a partial basement sited along Horse Creek that was constructed in 1900, and Hickman Memorial Hall, a two-story Neo-Classical community hall with a full basement located at the intersection of Marshall and Canal streets in the northeast corner of the site, constructed in 1908. The district also includes one contributing object, a stone obelisk dating from the late nineteenth century that is sited adjacent to Hickman Memorial Hall. The obelisk commemorates William Gregg, the founder of Graniteville Manufacturing Company. There are two non-contributing buildings: a one-story brick administrative building north of Hickman Mill along Marshall Street, and a two-story brick, former commercial building known as the Kenney Building that is located immediately south of Hickman Memorial Hall. Though historically related to the Mill and Hall, their integrity has been so compromised as to render them non-contributing.
The 1846 Graniteville Mill and much of its surrounding village was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Graniteville Historic District in 1978 and designated a National Historic Landmark the same year. The Hickman Mill Historic District is located adjacent to the NHL District and represents the expansion of the Graniteville Company in the early 20th century. It is significant under Criterion A at the local level in the areas of industry and entertainment/recreation, the latter for its association with Hickman Memorial Hall, which was a purpose-built recreation center for mill employees. The Hickman Mill Historic District is also significant under National Register Criterion C for the architectural design of the mill and memorial hall. Designed by prolific mill designers Lockwood Greene & Company, Hickman Mill is a turn-of-the-century mill building that reflects the evolution of mill design in the early twentieth century; Hickman Memorial Hall’s ornate Neo-Classical style reflects its purpose both as a monument to former Graniteville Manufacturing Company president Hamilton H. Hickman, as well as a community center for the company’s employees. While many mill company’s provided recreation centers – from baseball fields and parks to brick-and-mortar community centers – this particular version of a community center is a rare example in that it’s outward design also operated as a memorial to a former mill executive. Listed in the National Register February 23, 2016.
Period of Significance:
1900 – 1955;1900;1945;1955;1908;1926
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Industry;Entertainment/Recreation
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
February 23 2016
