Greer:: From Cotton Town to Industrial Center

You never forget your hometown. You shouldn't, at least. So when I came across this book about Greer, South Carolina, I felt compelled to buy it and learn more about the history of my old hometown. Of course, only Greer residents (past and present) and possibly students of South Carolina history will have any real interest in this book. For those who are interested, this book provides a detailed history of this small but thriving Southern town. Located in the Upstate of South Carolina between the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg and between the Southern metropolises of Atlanta and Charlotte, Greer became known for its important railroad depot, textile mills, cotton fields and peach orchards. The town, to its credit, has always been able to adapt to changing economic conditions, continuing to grow at a steady pace while, at the same time, maintaining its small town essence and charm. The authors obviously put a great deal of time, effort and care into their research and the old photos alone make the book worth the price. Actually, the book's only negative may be the price. A list price of $24.99 is a tad steep for a 160 page paperback, which includes 8 pages for the appendix, bibliography and index. All of Arcadia's offerings are similarly priced. Still, despite the hefty price tag, it was worth it to learn more about my old hometown of Greer, a small but colorful thread in the tapestry of America.