Glendale Mill is an 1850s mill built-in 1859 by a North Carolina, Dr, James Bivings. Originally known as Bivingsville, the mill operated for 12 years before it was shut down permanently. It is currently a partially burnt-down ruin after it was affected by a fire outbreak in 2004.

Rise of Glendale Mill

Glendale Mill was established in the late 1850s when a North Carolina Dr, James Bivings relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina with his family. At Spartanburg, he began a small cotton milling factory. The building was vast and took 3 years to complete and others more for modifications. Though it was the largest mill in the region, the factory never had dyes and printing machines. Once they refined their pulp, they sent them to other mills around the states for printing and dying. Many of the locals say this was more of a blessing than a curse since most of the mills that had printing and dyeing services led to a tremendous amount of pollution.

Glendale did well and even was among the mills that were chosen by the nation to help in the mass production of military uniforms during the world war. It was also involved in the small-scale production of military equipment but this did not last since it was not its specialty. Glendale was under the management of its founder for less than 10 years and at this time it was called Bivingsville. The name was changed when the mill was sold to a new local investor who allowed the wife to change the name to Glendale.

Race with modernization

After the world war, most of the mills that were given tenders to make military uniforms resumed back with their usual businesses. At this point in time, obsolete mills tried hard to be developed and modernized. Being modern and having better machines and a constant power supply in quantity was what made a mill stand out from the rest. This however required finances that most mills had not. This made the competitor too demanding for them and forced them to close down by the end of 1961.

Future of Glendale Mill

The mill was left abandoned and unmaintained for decades leaving its premises a playing ground for kids, vandals, graffiti artists, and drug dealers. Due to years of not being serviced, the building caught fire in 2004 nearly bringing all the mill down. The fire which affected the whole building from all corners is believed to be a coordinated arson or kid fooling around. The fire was put off but the damage that was caused was beyond repair. Wofford College acquired the building and the neighboring properties later after the fire as their reach and study area. The buildings were not renovated and are still intact since the fire devoured them.  People are still allowed to visit the new study and research ground for Wofford College.