Help save Alcolu's "Company Store"!
Donation protected
My name is Janice Richburg and I am president of Alcolu Preservation Society, Inc. Alcolu is a small mill village about 15 miles south of Sumter, SC. The mill was started in the early 1900's by Mr. W. D. Alderman and quickly grew to be one of the largest sawmill's on the east coast. Mr. Alderman and his railroad partner, Mr. Colwell decided to name their village by taking the first two letters of their last names and the Lu from the Alderman's first born child's named Mary Lula. Therefore, the AL from Alderman, CO from Colwell and LU from Lula, Alcolu. This is a very unique name we all must agree. But, Alcolu was a very unique place to live, work, worship, and go to school. Alcolu thrived during the depression and other hard times. The mill supplied jobs, houses, lights, water, schools, churches, and a large "Company Store".
A little over a year ago a group of people who grew up in this mill village decided to try and save what parts of Alcolu we could. So far we have obtained one of the orginal mill houses and restored it to its orginal condition. This has all been done from donations of people who love Alcolu. Inside of this little "Mill House" we have placed many artifacts and relics from this once thriving little town. It is being used to educate children about life in rual SC during the 1900's. Now our Society would like to raise enough money to buy the "Company Store" and restore it to its orginal condition. At one time the "Company Store" was the hub of the community. It made Alcolu self sufficent. Inside there was a complete line of meats, groceries, feeds, drygoods, shoes and boots, hardware items, plumbing supplies, drug store, docters office and pay office. It was probably one of the first "malls". But what made this old general store so unique was over it was a two hundred seated auditorium used by the Alcolu schools and the community. The "Company Store" is still standing today,but very badly in need of tender love and care. This store was built in 1914, so it is over 100 years old. It would be such a shame to let this historic treasure fade away with time. Our group would love to obtain it and get it thriving as a general store once again. Please help us obtain our goal by donating to our society. We are a tax exempt organization and accept donations of any amount. If you love history and old buildings you will fall in love with Alcolu and the "Company Store". Come visit us at the "The Little Green Mill House" or for more information please go to https://www.facebook.com/Alcolu-Preservation-Society.
A little over a year ago a group of people who grew up in this mill village decided to try and save what parts of Alcolu we could. So far we have obtained one of the orginal mill houses and restored it to its orginal condition. This has all been done from donations of people who love Alcolu. Inside of this little "Mill House" we have placed many artifacts and relics from this once thriving little town. It is being used to educate children about life in rual SC during the 1900's. Now our Society would like to raise enough money to buy the "Company Store" and restore it to its orginal condition. At one time the "Company Store" was the hub of the community. It made Alcolu self sufficent. Inside there was a complete line of meats, groceries, feeds, drygoods, shoes and boots, hardware items, plumbing supplies, drug store, docters office and pay office. It was probably one of the first "malls". But what made this old general store so unique was over it was a two hundred seated auditorium used by the Alcolu schools and the community. The "Company Store" is still standing today,but very badly in need of tender love and care. This store was built in 1914, so it is over 100 years old. It would be such a shame to let this historic treasure fade away with time. Our group would love to obtain it and get it thriving as a general store once again. Please help us obtain our goal by donating to our society. We are a tax exempt organization and accept donations of any amount. If you love history and old buildings you will fall in love with Alcolu and the "Company Store". Come visit us at the "The Little Green Mill House" or for more information please go to https://www.facebook.com/Alcolu-Preservation-Society.
Organizer
Janice Richburg
Organizer
Alcolu, SC
