The MillTown News

09/24/2025

A winter prediction, the town is set to grow and more in Chip Heemsoth’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History:
2005
Fort Mill’s football record was 3-1 after a 43-10 win over Charlote Christian. Indian Land was victorious over North Central by a 26-7 margin.
Two Fort Mill Rotary Club members, Ben Jones and TEC Dowling, were named Paul Harris Fellows.
The Fort Mill High School Marching Band held its annual marching band exhibition at Bob Jones Stadium.
The Fort Mill Town Council approved a final reading of the proposed 50- acre annexation along Doby’s Bridge Road.
1985
Reva Yates and Karen Winkler of the Fort Mill High School Band were nominated for the McDonald’s All-American Band.
J. H. (Hoss) Nesbitt, a member of Fort Mill City Council for five years, filed for re-election.
Fort Mill’s Yellow Jackets were 1-2 after a 3-7 loss to Chester.
J. B. Mills, Fort Mill’s self-proclaimed weather prophet, predicted a White Christmas for Fort Mill.
1965
After a three-week break, Fort Mill swarmed over the York Green Dragons for a 13-0 win. Indian Land fell to the Heath Springs Blue Devils, 13-14.
Johnny Morris was elected Captain of the 1965 Fort Mill Yellow Jacket Band. 1st Lieutenant was Walter McAlhaney.
1945
L. F. Mills defeated Major George Potts by a single vote, 14-13, in the city council special election.
Movies at the Majestic included: Meet Me in St. Lous, Cheyenne Wildcat, Keep Your Powder Dry, Guest in the House, Range Law, Gypsy Wildcat, God is My Co-Pilot, Flame of the Barbary Coast, Dillinger, Midnight Manhunt, Without Love, Delightfully Dangerous, Marked Trails, Texas Masquerade and Nasty Nuisance.
1925
Plans were put in place for a complete reorganization of the Fort Mill Fire Department. E. L. Case was fire chief.
Capt. Frederick Nims, Jr., and Sgts. Haywood Potts and Oscar Hammond of the Tom Hall Guards, returned form Camp Perry, Ohio.

09/18/2025

Honoring a legend, another resident deployed to Vietnam and more from 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:
2005
The late Bob Jones was immortalized with the naming of the stadium at Fort Mill High School as Bob Jones Stadium.
Luci Lu’s restaurant and catering opened at 101-B Spratt Street. Fran Evans was owner.
Fort Mill’s record dropped to 2-1 with a 17-3 loss to Clover. Indian Land defeated Andrew Jackson 13-7.
Dylan Paul Mitchell, a pro cyclist and former Fort Mill football and soccer player, was killed while riding his bicycle in Richland County.
1985
Flint Hill residents voted in favor of a special tax district in their area.
Richard Carter filed for the school board election and incumbent Clarence Wilson filed for the city council election.
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets fell to the Blacksburg Wildcats 35-0. Blacksburg’s Doug Bolin scored on runs of 70 and 98 yards as well as a 65-yard pass interception.
Fort Mill High School seniors Michelle Kendrick and Tim Moriarty were named semi-finalists in the 1986 National Merit Scholarship competition.
1965
Bill Richman of the U.S. Navy and 1964 Fort Mill High School graduate had arrived in Vietnam and was stationed aboard ship there.
Three Fort Mill teenagers, Donna Stroup, Charles Sullivan, and Mike Short gave a discussion on teenage drinking to the Fort Mill Woman’s Club.
1945
Recent movies at the Majestic included: In Harm’s Way, The Sons of Katie Elder, Circus World, What’s New Pussycat, She, From Russia with Love, Zebra in the Kitchen and Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar.
James T. Young of Young and Young, Inc., announced that his firm would sponsor the broadcasts of all Fort Mill High School football home games and the team’s game with WTS in Rock Hill.
1925
Record enrollment was expected for the Fort Mill graded school with the recent addition of the Riverview and Flint Hill districts.
Fort Mill remained in the grip of what seemed to be an unending drought.

09/10/2025

In this week’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth, a military honor, prisoner death and new supermarket opening:
2005
Longtime Fort Mill Planning Commission Chairman L. A Graham filed to run against incumbent Ken Beam for the Ward 3 seat on Fort Mill Town Council.
A judge sentenced a 24-year-old Fort Mill man to three years in prison for the December 2004 hit and run death of a bicyclist.
BI-LO opened its doors in the former Winn-Dixie location on Highway 160 West in Fort Mill.
Fort Mill defensive back Devin Thomas intercepted two passes, returning one for a 62-yard touchdown, in the Yellow Jackets 22-19 win over the Hartsville Red Foxes. Indian Land beat Blacksburg 53-8.
1985
The York County Bicentennial celebration was moving to Fort Mill. The highlight would be the Fort Mill Community Chorus’ presentation of the “Ballad of Fort Mill.”
In a rare split vote, the Fort Mill School Board turned down a proposal to prohibit the sale of snack foods at the middle school.
Fort Mill defeated Indian Land 29-0 in the season opener for both teams. Demetrious Hall and Antoine Harris each scored twice for the Jackets.
Cub Scout Pack 108, St. Johns UMC, held its annual organizational meeting.
1965
Miss Minnie Mae Garrison, 89, highly respected local school teacher, died. Miss Garrison taught first grade in Fort Mill for 40 years.
Fort Mill opened its 1965 season by tying Blacksburg 13-13. It was Coach Bob Jones first game as head coach. Indian Land defeated Pageland 7-0.
1945
S/Sgt. John W. Phillips, 27, was recently awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action.
Bradford’s Book and Stationary Store, Confederate Street, Fort Mill, marked its first anniversary with an ad in the Times thanking its many customers.
1925
The Fort Mill baseball team won 3 and lost 1 during the week. The team’s record stood at 25-9-1.
A convict on the York County chain gang, who escaped with two other prisoners, was in a fight with chain gang guards and later died in a Rock Hill hospital.

09/04/2025

A new era in local education, an arson investigation and more news from 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:
2005
A routine traffic stop landed a Tega Cay resident behind bars. He was wanted in Hendersonville, N.C. for eleven felony counts of embezzlement.
The York County Sheriff’s Office and SLED were looking for person that set fire to a home in the Twin Lakes Mobile Home Park.
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets defeated the Eau Claie Shamrocks 28-0 in the season opener for both teams. Indian Land shut out Prince Avenue Prep 21-0
The Fort Mill Swim Team ended Riverside High School’s four-year dual meet winning streak with a 171-169 win.
1985
Two Fort Millians, Leslie Parker and Betsy Ge**er, were to appear in the Rock Hill Concert Ballet’s season opener.
Aerobics Jazz classes for teens and ladies, racquetball lessons and Mike Hill’s photography class were set to begin at the Lero Sprins Recreation Complex.
1st Bank opened its Carowinds office on U.S. 21, off I-77, north of Fort Mill. Roy E. Watkins, III was office manager.
The 1985 housing survey in the United States was beginning.
1965
Integration came smoothly to the five schools of the Fort Mill School District when school opened for the 1965-1966 session.
Miss Cindy Swanson was honored with a going away party at the Fort Mill Golf Clubhouse. She would attend Baldwin School at Byrn Mawr, PA.
1945
Two Fort Mill men, L. F. Mills and Maj. George W. Potts, announced their candidacy for the vacancy on Fort Mill City Council.
Miss Betty Bennett enrolled at Carolina Business School in Charlotte and left to begin her studies.
1925
The consolidation of the Flint Hill and Sutton school districts with the Fort Mill school district, was approved.
Stephen Parks of Fort Mill was awarded the four-year York County scholarship to the University of South Carolina.

09/04/2025

Hey, how about those Jackets off to their best start in a decade?! Great coverage by Fort Mill Prep Sports

CHESTER – It has been a while, but the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets accomplished a lot with their win over the Chester Cyclones. Fort Mill beat Chester 35-14 on Friday, Aug. 29 for the first time at Chester since 1998. It was also the first time they beat the Cyclones at Chester since 1995, but […]

08/28/2025

If you want to help the Care Center, here’s their wish list for September.

Now is a great time to donate! Our pantry has hit its summertime low. Our highest needs are below, but all food, personal hygiene and cleaning items are welcome. Please note: we do not need canned beans/vegetables, peanut butter or pasta. Our pantry is curently well stocked in those areas!

For those looking to donate, please only drop off donations while we are open (Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm & Wednesdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm) at our warehouse (next to our main building) at 2760 Old Nation Road. We are closed for Labor Day. Alternatively, you can drop off at The Giving Porch (749 Revival Row).

You can also shop for our greatest needs on Amazon and have it shipped directly to us. Check out our updated wishlist here: https://a.co/78CFuft

Please like our page and share this post with your friends! That is a great way to help us even if you are not able to donate food.

08/28/2025

Still time to enter!

✨BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!✨ Every purchase made online or in-store from Tue, Aug 26 – Sat, Aug 30 will automatically enter you into our raffle! 🙌

One lucky winner will score the Grand Prize Bundle 🎁:
👉 1x Baratza Grinder
👉 1x Water Kettle
👉 1x Chemex
👉 50x Coffee Filters

We’ve also got 5 Hario V60 drippers for 5 lucky winners – perfect for brewing café-quality coffee right in your favourite mug. ☕💫

Winners will be drawn and announced on Facebook this Saturday at 1:30PM EDT – don’t miss it! 🎉

What are you waiting for? Shop, sip, and get ready to win big! 👉 https://fl.coffee/collections/all

08/27/2025

A murder for hire plot! That and more in Chip Heemsoth’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History:
2005
The Fort Mill YMCA in Baxter Village was set to open. The state-of-the-art facility was hindered by construction and weather delays.
A Fort Mill woman pleaded guilty in Federal Court to hiring a hit man to murder her live-in boyfriend.
Both Fort Mill and Indian Land had come from behind victories in the 35th Annual Herald Jamboree. The Jackets beat Lewisville, 7-6 and the Warriors won 20-14 over Andrew Jackson.
A woman involved in a wreck that killed two Fort Mill motorcyclists on their way to the beach in July, was charged with reckless homicide.
1985
Jamie Wright of Boy Scout Troop 108 received his Eagle Award at St. John’s United Methodist Church.
First day enrollment in Fort Mill and Indian Land schools was less than the previous year.
The Fort Mill Greater Chamber of Commerce had new quarters, 125 Main Street, and an administrative assistant, Michael Chase.
Fort Mill High School was remodeled inside and out in order to become the district’s middle school beginning next year.
1965
Freddie Blackwelder, 1964 Fort Mill High School graduate, signed a baseball contract with the Chicago White sox.
Movies at the Center included: Mary Poppins, Von Ryan’s Express, The Art of Love, The Caddy, The Outlaws is Coming, Cinderella, The Yellow Rolls Royce, A Very Special Favor, The Gorgon, Kimberly Jim and the Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb.
1945
The Fort Mill public schools would begin the 1945-1946 school year at 8:50 a.m. on September 5.
The Town of Fort Mill announced that it would not be responsible for any repairs beyond the water meter.
1925
A new movie theatre would be erected in Rock Hill which would be leased by B. W. Bradford of Fort Mill. He also conducted the Imperial Theatre in Rock Hill.
James P. Epps, oldest surviving Confederate Veteran of Fort Mill Township, died at his home.

08/22/2025

Who’s ready to give Zippy a furever home?! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AJyLfUzvM/?

08/20/2025

Mega church expands, utility to raise prices and other news during 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth:
2005
Five people, Chantay Bouler, Michael Johnson, Jim Crowel, Jan Smiley and David Bauschard filed for the Fort Mill School Board election.
The South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a rate hike request from Comporium.
The Fort Mill School Board approved the low bidder, China Construction Co. to build Nation Ford High School.
Joel McClennen, 2005 Indian Land High School graduate, signed to play baseball at Wingate College.
1985
A dam was proposed to be built on the Catawba River, southeast of Fort Mill. It would be the Sugar Creek Hydroelectric Project.
Heritage USA announced plans to build a 30,000-seat ministry center on its property.
The Fort Mill Rescue Squad’s new building on South White Street had been completed.
Untaxed vehicles of residents living in the Fort Mill School District had become a big problem.
1965
New Fort Mill head football coach Bob Jones had been unable to hire an assistant coach. Former Yellow Jacket lineman, Butch Honeycutt, a sophomore student USC, had been helping Jones but he would soon be returning to Columbia.
All five Fort Mill School District schools were scheduled to open on August 31.
1945
Movies at the Majestic included: Sheriff of Cimarron, Bring on the Girls, Night Club Girl, The Unseen, The Tampico Terror, Hotel Berlin, Utah, Roughly Speaking, I’ll Tell the World, Forever Yours, High Powered and Between Two Worlds.
The Rev. Ansel Forsythe, pastor of the Fort Mil Church of the Nazarene for three of the four years it had been organized, began a series of farewell services.
1925
More than 100 adults and children enrolled as members of the Fort Mill Choral Society.
The County Board of Education had yet to make a decision on consolidating the Flint Hill and Sutton schools with Fort Mill.

08/13/2025

A local business cuts back hours, burglars boost a second floor safe and more in Chip Heemsoth’s 100 Years of Fort Mill History:
2005
A stray bullet from a high-powered rifle tore into a home in Waterstone. There were no injuries.
Burglars broke into Knights Stadium and stole $17,000 from a safe after dropping it from the second floor onto the first floor.
After heavy lobbying from the mother of a child with a peanut allergy, peanut butter was removed from his school’s cafeteria.
Gladys Sanders, a Fort Mill School District bus driver for five years, was named State Bus Driver of the Year.
1985
Ground was broken for Outlet Festival, a 220,000 square-foot shopping mall with 56 stores to be built on Carowinds Avenue.
A drive for $150,000 to finance a Vietnam Veteran Memorial to the 885 men from the state who died in Vietnam was underway.
The Fort Mill football staff greeted 80 candidates for varsity and junior varsity football.
Former Springs Industries executive William Martin was named as a Distinguished Professor of Textiles at Winthrop College.
1965
Following a through discussion of the speeding situation in Fort Mill, city council voted to instruct Chief of Police Raleigh Phillips to enforce the speed laws.
The Center Barber Shop was happy to announce that “Big Bad John” Gibson was back in town. His addition gave the shop, located next to the Center Theatre, 3 full-time barbers.
1945
American troops, numbering 18,000, had landed in Japan ahead of the signing of the Japanese surrender.
Fred H. Wilson announced that the Fort Mill school cannery would be open only two days each week.
1925
Dr. E. W. Long of Prosperity, Newberry County, relocated to Fort Mill for the practice of Medicine.
As a result of the long drought, creeks, streams and wells were drying up.

08/06/2025

A FMHS grad KIA in the Pacific and the U.S. introduces “The Bomb.”; Coach gets a promotion and more classrooms needed - just some of that week’s news in 100 Years of Fort Mill History by Chip Heemsoth: 2005
Six more mobile classroom units were scheduled to be installed at Fort Mill High School, bringing the total to eleven.
A nighttime safety checkpoint by the Fort Mill Police Department netted 17 arrests.
Stan Koterba was the new band director at Indian Land High School. He was a graduate of Kent State University.
The Gold Hill Middle School cheerleaders were invited to dance in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade.
1985
In the championship game of the Fort Mill Little League, Springs beat Butler Seafood 14-8. Pitching for Springs were Jonathan Kidd and Eric McCraven.
Churrasco Grill and Steakhouse opened at I-77 and Carowinds Boulevard.
Jack Brazzell, owner of Jack’s House of Flowers, was concerned with the frequent vandalism of his outdoor sign.
According to a recent survey, most Fort Mill residents were ready for some kind of land zoning.
1965
James E. Walser, head football coach and athletic director at Fort Mill High School for the past five years, was elected as the school’s new principal. Assistant coach Robert W. Jones would take over Walser’s athletic duties.
Crenshaw Motor Co., 108 Spratt Street, was participating in Plymouth Dealin’ Days.
1945
Japanese perished by the uncounted thousands when the United States dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima.
Lt. Charles Turner of the United States Navy and a Fort Mill High School graduate, was killed in action in the Pacific Theatre.
1925
The drought, which Fort Mill had endured for 11 weeks, was partially broken by a few showers.
The local National Guard unit was moving its quarters from Confederate Street to White Street.