Before the Civil War, Greenville was home to three textile mills. However, in 1882, an impressive seven additional mills were built next to the railway line, which became known as the Textile Crescent due to the trajectory of the rails. This group of mills played a crucial role in establishing cotton processing as a profitable industry. Additionally, the mills provided a valuable training ground for aspiring mill owners and managers. Before the war, New England had a dominant position in the textile industry. (Hall, 1987, p. 25)