In 1834, textile pioneer James Bivings moved to Glendale SC from Lincolnton, NC. He purchased 750 acres along Lawson's Fork to develop a textile mill that would be in continuous operation for almost 150 years. Back then this area was known as Bivingsville, and for the first few decades the Bivingsville Cotton Manufacturing Company was the largest cotton mill in Spartanburg County. (Photo remnants of the mill are shown further down this page.)

Over the years, the mill changed hands several times. Dexter Edgar Converse put his life savings into purchasing the mill with Bomar and Company in 1855, and expanded its spindles, looms and workers considerably. After the Civil War broke out, the Bivingsville Cotton Manufacturing Company began weaving cloth. Many mills in the area at this time were facing bankruptcy, but Dexter E. Converse kept the Bivingsville Cotton Manufacturing Company afloat by bartering cloth during these tough times.

In 1870, the Bivingsville Cotton factory was sold to Converse and the mill's name changed to D.E. Converse & Company. The mill not only survived the Panic of 1873 and Reconstruction, but expanded its spindles, looms and workers. The mill village had also grown. In 1878, Bivingsville's name changed to Glendale, on the suggestion of Converse's wife after she made a trip to Glendale, California. In 1899, Dexter E. Converse died and his relative, Albert Twichell, became the next president.

Glendale prospered as the century turned. By 1900, the town had a school with 125 students and one teacher. However, finding workers for the mill became an increasing problem and workers were recruited from as far away as the mountains of North Carolina. World War I brought increased work for Glendale and the other textile mills of the Piedmont. In the 1930s the Great Depression hit the mills hard, but with World War II, the textile community boomed once again. The mill ran three shifts to meet the demand.

From 1946 until 1957 the mill was owned and operated by J.L. Stifel and Sons of Wheeling, West Virginia. They made major renovations, concerting the mill from steam power to electricity and remodeling many of the company houses.

In 1957 the mill was sold to Indian Head Mills. The sale became the beginning of the end for textile manufacturing in Glendale and manufacturing in the mill stopped in November 1961.

After the mill ceased operations many businesses closed down. From 1961 until 2004 the vacant mill was used by several owners for warehouse space including the storage of Rolls Royce parts. After the factory burned in 2004, present-day owner Glyn Morris and his partners donated the remaining mill office building to Wofford College. He also donated six acres along the river to the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to build a hiking trail.

The land consists of thirteen acres and is located at the old Glendale Mill on Lawson’s Fork Creek. The property is scenic, with a waterfall that cascades over a dam, and is said to have significant plant, animal, and bird life (although, on this date, the two RV Gypsies only saw one bird which Karen Duquette photographed as it flew away - that photo is shown later on, down this page).

When the water is low, many people walk across the shoals at their own risk, skip some rocks and enjoy the view. The two RV Gypsies choose to just enjoy the view.

The preserve is open from down to dusk. No motorized vehicles, no hunting, no camping, no campfires, no firearms, no paintball, no climbing on bridges, no cutting of flowers, trees or plants. Pets must be on a leash under owner's control. Swim or wade at your own risk - shoes required.

Above quote from https://historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HMTWZ_welcome-to-glendale-shoals_Glendale-SC.html