Greenville SC Archives - Appalachian History

In the early 1930s, Jeffrey Burdick developed a system for classifying cards by their manufacturer and by the type of illustration which appeared on the card.

early 20th century wood carving of a fiddler

April 17, 2019 Appalachian music / Fiddlers/fiddling

When he drew his magic bow against his violin’s strings

William Murphy was regarded as a half-vagabond, but he was tolerated for the pleasure his enchanted violin gave.

Carolina, Knoxville and Western stock certificate

July 18, 2017 Railroad industry / South Carolina

The Swamp Rabbit engineer had to back up a mile to retrieve a lost cow-catcher

The “Swamp Rabbit,” true to its name, did not mind inequalities in its pathway, so the track went up and down, following the lay of the land.

June 2, 2017 Cotton mills / South Carolina

All the adornments that taste and money can afford

Walter Gassaway became Greenville’s most successful stock speculator in the 1920s. His mansion’s still the largest house in the Upstate.

December 29, 2016 Botany / Politics / South Carolina

How the poinsettia got its name

The Christmas plant named for Joel Poinsett is such a footnote to his illustrious life that it’s mentioned only ONCE in an 1888 biography.

Tag: Greenville SC

How baseball card collectors categorize their collections

When he drew his magic bow against his violin’s strings

The Swamp Rabbit engineer had to back up a mile to retrieve a lost cow-catcher

All the adornments that taste and money can afford

How the poinsettia got its name