Johnsonville South Carolina History

For more on S. B. Poston, visit Johnsonville SC History on the web Sylvester Briley "S. B." Poston (1867-1933) When I come home to Johnsonville and stop to photograph or admire the vacant but still proud storefronts, I can’t help but think of Sylvester Briley “S.B.” Poston. Every brick and beam of the old business district owes its existence to him. He didn’t just help build Johnsonville—he literally owned much of it, from the bank that held residents’ savings to the hardware store where farmers bought their plows. To appreciate just how deeply this one man shaped a town, it helps to start at the beginning. From Half Moon to the Pee Dee Poston was born on May 20, 1867 (some sources say 1869) in the Half Moon community along the Lynches River, the son of turpentine and farm operators Simon P. Poston and Sarah Frances Bartell. He grew up learning how to tap pines for sap, plant cotton and handle customers. By the turn of the 20th century he’d launched the S.B. Poston Compa...

The New Theater as it would have looked when in operation.  This image is a reconstruction created by Josh Dukes and is based on color photo fire images of the structur e The New Theater in Johnsonville, often referred to interchangeably over the years as the Prosser Theater—was owned and operated by Chives Prosser (1899-1982), a central figure in the town’s early business and entertainment industry.  Prosser Eldridge Franklin "E.F." Prosser (a businessman in his own right) and Lillian Camillia Cox Prosser.  Chives Prosser, early 1920s Prosser served as Johnsonville’s postmaster from 1920 to 1925, then launched his theater  business in 1925 during the silent film era.  This first Prosser Theater was located on the south side of Broadway Street approximately where Jake’s BBQ now stands. This original venue, listed in the theater publication Film Daily Yearbook beginning in 1931, had a reported capacity of 200 seats—a figure that remained consistent in issues of...

This information was originally published to Bartell's Crossroads at Johnsonville SC History . Bartell's Crossroads is located between Johnsonville and Indiantown. The two-story structure at the crossroads was built circa 1935. It was a country store operated by Vasker Calvineau Bartell and Elnora Cox Bartell. Elnora also worked at Wellman in the 1960s.   Calvineau Bartell at Bartell's Crossroads photo by Cindy Allen Joye Calvineau's father started operating a store at the crossroads around 1902 and a store operated there continuously through the 1970s. The original Bartell Brothers store at the crossroads burned in 1921 and was replaced by the 2-story building afterward. By the 1970s the second story porch had collapsed and the building was leaning about 10 degrees.  Calvineau added a few telephone polls to brace the side of the building. "When the wind starts blowing, everybody starts leaving." one customer told the Florence Morning News in 1973. One patron ...

Joseph Gregory "Grigg" Eaddy (1888-1959) These family stories were shared by Mabeline "Queen Bee" Eaddy Evans in a series of posts about her family history. This information was compiled in collaboration with Ms. Bee by Josh Dukes. My father, Joseph Gregory Eaddy, was born in 1888 in Vox, a farming community in South Carolina outside of Johnsonville and Hemingway. My mother, Mabel Florence Hanna Eaddy, followed in 1900. Together, they built a legacy grounded in love, faith, and hard work, raising 14 children. I am blessed to be the youngest—the baby of this big, beautiful family. Growing up, I had eight brothers: Spigner, Frank, J.W., Danny, David, Nedo (Bubby), Wyman, and Hoyt.    Along with these amazing brothers, I was also surrounded by the love of five wonderful sisters: Hazel, Emmie Bell, Florence Penelope, Betty, and Maudine   This tight-knit family provided me with a foundation of care, respect, and devotion. While we may not all be here today, I know they a...