"Legendary Locals of Greer", written by Joada Hiatt and Ray Belcher, is due out next month. A book signing is scheduled Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. - noon. at the Greer Heritage Museum.
The book’s description reads: “Greer, an 1876 railroad town, was founded by people who moved from farms, the mountain region of the Dark Corner, and other small communities to the area around Greers Depot with high expectations of prosperity promised by railroad commerce and, later, the cotton mills. Like a colorful quilt with its individual patches, the early population of Greer included farmers, storekeepers, laborers skilled and unskilled, and their wives and families.
As the town grew, investors funded three local cotton mills; mill hands and supervisors arrived to operate them. The bankers, attorneys, physicians, teachers, and ministers followed. Eager to succeed, they all labored long and hard, some heroically like Officer William Foster and volunteer fireman Carl Miller, who died in the line of duty. Greer folk reared families, provided education, and imbued their children with strong moral and religious values. Their descendents continue to populate the city today with a strong sense of community pride.”
Pre-orders are available at Amazon for $21.99. The paperback books will be available at museum at a price to be announced.
Hiatt and Belcher, both from Greer, have partnered with Arcadia Publishing Co., of Charleston on two other Greer history books: “Greer: Then and Now”, $15.00 published in Sept. 2008, and “Greer: From Cotton Town to Industrial Center”, $18.99 published in 2003.
The museum is at 106 S. Main Street. Call 877-3377 for more information.