Events Timeline for Glendale, Lawson’s
Fork, PCF, SPACE, and Wofford, May 3, 2010
1993 – Then mill owner Billy Tobias
donates 14 acres on the south bank of Lawson’s Fork to the
Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) for protection and
the establishment of a riverfront park.
2004 – Mill closed since 1960s burns.
Two towers, two smokestacks, and Mill Office remain.
2005 - Glendale United Methodist (UM) Church is
“discontinued” by the SC UM Conference. Grant for studying
possible uses of church property awarded by the Mary Black
Foundation.
2006 - Church conversion planning conducted by 40 persons
is completed; report published; recommends establishment
of an outdoor leadership training school. [Report
Available].
2006 - The Palmetto Conservation
Foundation (PCF) applies for funds to develop and begin
to implement the Glendale Outdoor Leadership
School (GOLS). The Spartanburg County Foundation funds
property title search. [http://www.spcf.org].
PCF granted $550,000 by the Mary Black Foundation [http://www.maryblackfoundation.org]
to develop and begin implementing GOLS. [http://www.setgols.org].
2006 - The Spartanburg District of the American Institute
of Architects (AIA) recommends that Glendale
be included in the six communities in SC to be studied by
AIA as part of the national association’s 150th
anniversary celebration. Request granted by the SC Mayor’s
Institute for Community Design; Glendale
is included among Chesterfield, Greer, Johnsonville,
Summerton, and Clearwater. [http://www.aia.org]
2006 - Wofford College and PCF begin discussions with Glyn
Morris, the owner of the Glendale Mill property, about
receiving as gifts the Mill Office and surrounding three
acres including the Lawson’s Fork dam and shoals (Wofford)
and the six acre Flood Plain (PCF).
2007 – AIA study of Glendale is completed after local
charrettes are conducted. Report with recommendations made
during conference at Clemson University. [Report
Available]. Friends of
Glendale (FOG) organized and officers elected. Glyn
Morris donates the Flood Plain to PCF; the Mill Office,
dam, and shoals to Wofford.
2007 - The Urban Land Institute (ULI) chooses Pacolet and
Glendale to be studied as a Glendale-Pacolet corridor (5
miles apart, connected by roads and “paddleable” rivers).
ULI is an international land use planning organization
founded in 1936 [http://www.uli.org].
2007 & 2008 - PCF [http://www.palmettoconservation.org],
SPACE [http://www.spartanburgconservation.org],
Spartanburg County School District 3 [http://www.spartanburg3.org],
and Wofford College [http://www.wofford.edu]
pledge continued collaboration in offering high quality
programs and activities.
2008 – Funds are allocated for the restoration of the old
iron bridge (pedestrian and cycling only).
2008 – Renovations begin on the Mill Office to be
Wofford’s Environmental Studies Field Center. PCF begins
developing the Greenway. Glendale designated a “Blueprint
South Carolina Five Star Community.”
2009 – Renovated Mill Office goes into operation as
Wofford’s Environmental Studies Field Center. The USDA awards Glendale and
Pacolet a grant of $60,000 to conduct a feasibility
study of recreational and economic possibilities along
the Glendale-Pacolet Corridor (Lawson’s Fork and the
Pacolet River).
2010 – Wofford’s Environmental Studies Goodall Field
Center is dedicated on April 20, 2010.
The reports relating to these events can be read at Glendale Reports.
This web site has been started as a
public service to share the story of Glendale.
See more information about Mary and her Glendale
connection at Mary McKinney Teaster.