Exploring the old Chiquola Mill
Jacob, Wilson and I recently drove over to the historic Chiquola Mill here in Honea Path to see what there was to see. It turns out that we were able to access most of what is left. The mill operated from 1903 to 2003, and has been in a state of slow demolition since then.
The historic Chiquola Mill in Honea Path, SC
Amazingly, there is virtually no security at the site, and we were able to simply drive up to it and walk right in a broken roll-up door. We DO NOT recommend that anyone go to the site and explore due to numerous hazards including crumbling structural elements, shear drops, open elevator shafts, industrial materials and chemicals, and sharp glass, among other things.
A picture from back when the mill was in full operation
The first and second floors are the only ones that are completely structurally intact. Half of floors three and four are still in place.
Looking out an office window on the first floor
The first floor looks like this.
Each side of the complex had a stairwell, though one was in much better shape than the other. We were only able to go up one floor on the north side but all the way up on the south side.
Half of the second floor is open to the sky
We were able to access the fourth floor from the south stairwell.
We found this old Polaroid of Alvin Sturghill. Employee of the month?
We went through some offices and out a back door and found this old monument to employees with over 50 years of service. The top is missing.
Wilson looking out a third floor window.
Cool pic of the old Mill…. so, the smokestack was connected after all
Well…I guess it still could have been standalone. Can’t really tell from the pic.
Found out that the smokestack burned coal to power the whole mill.
are there any rosters of early employee names that can be viewed online?
i did some internet searches for info on the chiquola mill and found very few names of employees. certainly no lists. not that they don’t exist, i just couldn’t find them.