During the 1870s, farmers living in the upcountry region experienced a profound transformation in their way of life. The discovery of abundant mineral and timber resources sparked interest in these previously isolated areas, leading to the construction of new railroads (Odom, 2015,7). This development, while promising, also brought about significant changes, including massive deforestation and the sale of lands to outsiders, which profoundly impacted the farmers, altering their way of life in ways they could never have anticipated.
There was a significant migration from the mountains to the mills, which marked a pivotal moment in the history of South Carolina. “Landowning and tenant farm families alike turned to the mills.” (Hall 1987, 33) Some workers split their time between working the land and working in the mills a season. However, eventually, some came to like the Mill Town way of life, while others returned to their farms.
