Tag Archives: Spartanburg

-South Carolina, Houses

Home of Z. L. and Nanaline Madden-Spartanburg, South Carolina Educators

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Built in 1867, this home is the oldest in the Converse Heights Historic District in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It served as the long-time home of educators Zephaniah (Z. L.) (1888-1977) and Nanaline (1900-1998) Madden. Z.L. Madden was a noted educator in Spartanburg. He taught at Freemont School for fifteen years. He then served as principal of Cleveland Junior High School. He retired in 1954. The Z. L. Madden Elementary School was named after him. He lived here until his death in 1977.

Nanaline Madden was a noted kindergarten teacher. The local newspaper, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, frequently mentioned classes meeting in the home and taught by Mrs. Madden. According to a 1991 article, she taught 1,105 students in 29 years at home. She was an active member of various civil and social organizations in Spartanburg. She was named Woman of the Year by the Spartanburg Garden Club Council for the 1959-1960. Mrs. Madden lived in the home for many years after her husband’s death.

-South Carolina, Hotels and Motels

Once Listed in The Green Book, the Mrs. Octavia Jones Tourist Home Still Stands in Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Dean Street was the heart of Black business and life in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Octavia Jones and her husband, Gilbert, lived at 255 N. Dean Street. By the 1939 Negro Motorist Green Book, their address is listed as one of several tourist homes (a residence where the owners would rent out rooms their rooms to travelers) on Dean Street. A garage is also listed at this address. I wonder if that was situated behind the home.

The 1939 entry on Spartanburg, Siuth Carolina in The Negro Motorist Green Book

Ancestry records indicate that Mrs. Jones died in 1951, and Mr. Jones died in 1954. Despite this, the O. Jones Tourist Home is still listed in The Green Book as late as 1962.

The 1950 Census Record

While researching Octavia Jones, I found an interesting tidbit in the census records. This is the only time I can recall a wife being listed as head when the husband is still alive. I am intrigued to know if there is a story or not.

-South Carolina, Abandoned

Spartanburg Printing and Paper Company-Spartanburg, South Carolina

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The Spartanburg Printing and Paper Company once called this Art Deco building home. Located in Archer Street, it was built in 1925. I understand there was talk of demolishing this building but that plan is currently on hold.

-South Carolina, National Register of Historic Places

Victorian-era Vann Building in Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Spartanburg was founded in 1785 but incorporated after the Civil War. The town experienced rapid growth due to the railroad lines running through it. Spartanburg is dubbed “Hub City” because of these railroad lines.

The Vann Building, built in 1882, was home to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. The newspaper no longer calls this home, but the mansard-roofed building is still used today. It is my favorite building on the town square.

-South Carolina

Masonic Temple-Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Spartanburg‘s Masonic Temple was built in 1927. The neoclassical building has three floors. It’s been home to several fraternal organizations. It’s home to the Spartan Lodge No. 70 AFM, founded in 1849. Other organizations are Arcanum 777 AFM, St John’s 333 AFM, and Tallulah OES 16.

It’s a contributing property to the Spartanburg Historic District.

-South Carolina, Black History

Callaham-Hicks Funeral Home-Spartanburg, South Carolina

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The Callaham-Hicks Funeral Home began as the John-Nina Hospital in 1913. Started by Nina Littlejohn, it was the first licensed hospital for Black residents in Spartanburg. It continued to serve the community until 1932, when the Spartanburg General Hospital opened up a wing in the hospital to provide care to Black patients during segregation.

M. S. Callaham purchased the hospital from the Littlejohns and opened a funeral home. At the time, Dean Street and the surrounding streets were the center of a Black middle-class neighborhood. Doctors, business leaders, and educators called the neighborhood home.