What Happened To / McColl South Carolina / Remembering The /Past/

[@tarahollingsworth8305]

My hometown!!!! Ty!

[@freedomtobeintheknow-kryst9705]

One of the best videos I've seen in McColl SC

[@geraldlocklear4373]

Thank you for not painting McColl with the same brush that most do. We love this town.

[@CAROLINATONY]

Thanks for watching

[@janiceyoung2004]

Thank you for sharing! Love watching all of your videos! But Really Love The History Behind Them! Have A Blessed Week

[@CAROLINATONY]

Thank you! You too!

[@rphillipcrowley6043]

I grew up right out side of McColl, it was the closest town to us! A lot of good memories, from the 1980’s, 90’s and early 2000’s! I love the place still.

[@BDRHDG]

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PLACE YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THIS PLACE MAKES IT SOUND VERY INTERESTING I'VE LIVED UP HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR 14 YEARS I ENJOYED THIS VIDEO THANK YOU FOR SHARING

[@dougmccoll6126]

Tony, Nice stroytelling. Would love to visit sometime. Beautiful old buildings and signs of better times past makes me sad when I see the abandonned areas but I've seen the same where I live. I can tell hope lives there though. I know the land is very fertile and people need to eat so I'm hoping maybe people can keep the money instead of the big food corporations...those places in the south have too much promise and value....peace, hope and prosperity to the people around there and may you all preserve the heritage.

[@hollybooth4618]

My grandmother owned the brick at one time Hazel Booth

[@billyoung2666]

I was raised in McColl. Born in 1970. Lived on Lee St when the tornado hit. My parents still live in the house that was rebuilt. I worked at the Covington Mill in the early 90s. Good times.

[@CAROLINATONY]

It sure has changed a lot since then

[@thebadaids]

My grandma and pa were Nelson and Gail Driggers that got hit on that street.

[@mikeflo6459]

I grew up on lee street and I know the young family and the driggers family very well. I’m a flowers

[@thebadaids]

@@mikeflo6459 I’m Brennen Driggers, my dad is Don Driggers and my uncle is Charlie Driggers. Small world, brother. Mrs Flowers who was a substitute and taught me at the McColl school lived on that street, I believe.

[@charlesfcantwell4937]

Thanks Tony for video on McColl I use to live there with my family members Dee Dugan was my mother an step father Clyde Dugan an I was pupolar in McColl an miss the town

[@36lats]

My Car was in your video Lol😊

[@PDFLAGLER]

My home town.

[@furmanmackey5479]

I spent just over 23 years of my adult life in Chesterfield County, Pageland specifically, and worked shoulder to shoulder with several Marlboro County natives. Each of them lost family members in that tornado ranging from a Grandfather to an Aunt. As I type, The Lovely Bride and I reside in Marlboro County and live within a mile of where that tornado touched down for the first time. It was because of a casual conversation with one of those Pageland coworkers, in the 1990s, that I learned that I too has lost kin, an Uncle, when his house took a direct hit on that terrible day.

[@markray3755]

I used to love that place

[@CAROLINATONY]

All my wife's family is from there . thanks for watching

[@Blue-rw9kj]

Enjoyed this, Tony. Used to go to some of those joints with a friend back in the 60s, I remember "The Brick" (Pretty Petals) goin in there dancing and drinking, good ol time and a few other places, one called "The Boondocks", we'd drive down from Aberdeen NC on a Saturday night. I went back a few years ago and took a picture of that old house with the character. McColl will make a comeback someday, just like Aberdeen is doing now.

[@CAROLINATONY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@teresahelms2029]

I was raised in McColl on High Street. Graduated in 1979. My daddy Alex Sweatt and brother Charles Sweatt still lives there with their families. My brother Ivan Sweatt and I now live in Conway, S.C. My sister Gloria Sweatt lives in Maxton, N.C. McColl was a great place to grow up. Nothing like still keeping in touch with friends thru social media. Loved the video of McColl history.

[@Starscreamlive]

Living in Laurinburg, the first thing you saw crossing the border headed to McColl back in the old days (abandoned casinos now) was The Shady Lady and The Oasis night clubs. Jim's had great hamburgers back in the day.

[@CAROLINATONY]

I remember that

[@Chris-xk9rt]

Yk some folks tried to put a strip club down there and the police shut them down because they didn't have a license lmao

[@maricareeves5612]

Went over to the shady lady also also to jims

[@pamwiggins8908]

The 2 things McColl has always been known for ,, Is beer joints and Churches ,, bout one on every corner ,,

[@goseekfindnow]

When I covered what happened to James Raymond Jordan's ( Michael Jordan's dad) I discovered it was near McColl, SC is where his body was thrown into the Gum Swamp off Pea Bridge. When I saw your video that's what I immediately thought. A dark shadow but looks as if this small town has seen some better days. Another place I went through recently that this reminds me of is Enfield, NC.

[@36lats]

Been in Mccoll since 04😊

[@wolfqueens]

I saw you in the Mill Village and me and my sister thought you where crazy for going across to the mill 😂

[@ChrizardsAdventures]

Love the video. I moved to bennetsville 6 months ago and I love learning the local history. Me and my parents watch your new videos while we enjoy dinner. It's are tradition. So please keepem coming.

[@masonking7989]

Really wish I could have seen Gail’s place in its prime. I’m Gail’s grandson and my dad (Gail Jr.) told so many stories of his time at the “hangout”.

[@CAROLINATONY]

That's cool. McColl has changed so much in the last 40 years

[@wolfqueens]

That water tower gas my dad’s name on it😂

[@wolfqueens]

That’s my church

[@wolfqueens]

You read some of my family names

[@DorisMcDaniel-s9z]

There was a drugstore that belonged to Dr. Richardson my Aunt Sadie's husband. I was told that my Aunt Sadie was a school teacher. They said she looked like a White woman.

[@larrybyrd4909]

It just breaks my heart to see this. what happened to our SOUTH

[@dougmccoll6126]

Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I think I see hope and the promise of an earnest and honest prosperity, of community richness...its still alive there. I feel it in the comments I see here.

[@Realstuffadventures]

Love the opening drone shot !

[@CAROLINATONY]

Thank you.

[@myrafinch5769]

The churches are so beautiful! I love the old empty house! It looks like a haunted house should look. lol. Thanks Tony. What a beautiful small town it still is!

[@CAROLINATONY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@randyg1594]

Most churches are haunted these days

[@pamwiggins8908]

My inlaws lived in that house in 1975 they were there a few years ,, I remember because when my baby boy was born it was 75 and they has been there a while before he was born ,, my late husband's brothers 3 month old son passed away in the house , A crib death , He was born in 1974 ,,

[@dwaynetucker7635]

I was 13,when I got my first Kiss,She was a 15 year Old Princess,that was a McColl Resident.

[@maricareeves5612]

Oh yes dance at Gail's every weekend. Fished at red bluff been in that old house to

[@tomyoung8563]

I use to buy fireworks from that flower shop

[@pamwiggins8908]

They do still sell fireworks there ,

[@trishagail353]

Thanks for the history lesson!! It's a shame how some of these small textile towns have now dried up. Some of our not so distant ancestors provided for their families working in textiles. I haven't heard the term ' beer joint' in ages..lol. Great video!!

[@CAROLINATONY]

So true!

[@harrymarsee1872]

You can thank Clinton and his pet project, *NAFTA* for *DESTROYING* small businesses and small towns!

[@maricareeves5612]

MY GRANDADDY AND GRANDMA WORKED IN THE COTTON MILL. WE LIVED ON THE OLD HILL. HOUSE IS GONE NOW. DR BUTLER HAD A OFFICE. THE RED FRONT STORE WAS THERE ALSO WAS A OLD HOTEL ON CORNER WHERE STATION IS DOWNTOWN. I WENT TO THE MOVIES THERE THE GEDDIES OWNED IT. WE LIVED ON N. CHURCH ST WHEN GRANDPARENTS PAST. THEY WERE BUTLERS

[@stuartcozort3650]

Love the intro. Great video

[@CAROLINATONY]

thanks

[@mikeflo6459]

Born and raised in McColl. I was a little boy when that tornado came down lee street. I have hundreds of photos if you would like to see them. Mike flowers

[@CAROLINATONY]

Thanks for watching. My wife's family is for there. I was on their golf cart when I film some parts

[@pamwiggins8908]

I'm a Flowers ,, I don't know if we're any kin

[@mikeflo6459]

@@pamwiggins8908 Bobby flowers is my grandfather and Wanda and Ricky is my parents.

[@pamwiggins8908]

@@mikeflo6459 Im your cousin ,, bobby and my mama are 1st cousins and they were born the same day just a couple hours apart ,, her name is lois ,, she passed away in jan, 2012 ,, your uncle wallaces wife was a lois too ,, mama used to get her mail

[@randyg1594]

Born and raised in Bennettsville but my Garner heritage comes from McColl sc. Great video bud 👍not much different than parts of Spartanburg

[@MrCountrycuz]

You live in Cheraw? We tore down a church that had burned down there and I discovered that delicious country cooking restaurant down town and I know for sho that you eat there a lot don't you. I found a spear head in the debris of the burned down church. This church is outside of town and has a cemetery with only one grave in it.

[@phillipwalden5546]

You forgot about one of the Mills. It was behind the blue water tower on Jacobs street. There was even an old ball field beside it. We used to go in it as a kid. They completely demolished it, just like the one that was beside Kings.

[@tommyyarborough4873]

I'm not sure who I heard the story from and cant confirm it as truth, but was told once that the Pittsburgh Pirates had a minor league team that played on that ballfields in the early 1900s.

[@pamwiggins8908]

I worked there , it was called witiker hall ,, it was a sewing room , we made t-shirts , the building collasped and was torn down , they sold out and a new plant was built in Gibson NC , I worked there till they closed ,, there sure was a baseball field beside it ,, those were some good times ,,

[@pamwiggins8908]

@@tommyyarborough4873 ,, LOL ,, I doubt that ,, I thought they were always in Pittsburg PA,,, But it sure is a nice thing , if they did ,,

[@tommyyarborough4873]

@@pamwiggins8908 minor league teams are affiliated team with Major Leage Baseball teams.

[@sarakeith5480]

Good morning Tony!! When I watch your channel I learn about interesting stories about the past!! I always feel sad to see empy buildings!! Thanks Tony!!

[@MoviemaniaNick]

Great history lesson Tony! Thanks for sharing.

[@CAROLINATONY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@russellscarborough1036]

Can you do a segment on St. David Church and the Cemetery in Cheraw?

[@palyba1]

That house needs to be saved! It's beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

[@pamwiggins8908]

It would take no less than Donald Trump to restore that house ,,

[@BeBodacious]

Small towns have a lot of history. They were disporportionately hurt by the collapse of the textile industry. Some towns never recovered from the ripple effect. Trains and textile industry were intertwined in so many places. Tornadoes are scary. It was nice of you to read the names on the marker. Dancing on the roof must have been a lot of fun in the day.

[@poppyll8426]

Great video. So sad about about our textile Mills just about all closed. I was in management in one in Knoxville and we bought millions of lbs of yarn out of the Carolinas. Loved going to the big Textile Expo in Greenville SC. NAFTA (Mexico) hurt us but the trade agreement signed in 2000( China) hurt America the most.

[@CAROLINATONY]

Most dont even have a clue as why industry left

[@jeannemarietodak5103]

Thanks for the tour and lesson. Enjoy all the ANTIQUED areas and things. God Bless🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@CAROLINATONY]

You are so welcome

[@redeyegood1396]

My grandma and grandpa’s use to live across from the mill off Cinder St, . By the RR TRACKS , hence the name of the street,. My uncle now still lives there in the same house .

[@gcfan803]

Interesting video Mr. Tony, thank you!

[@CAROLINATONY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thanks for sharing this history!

[@mattcox3373]

You should come over to Dillon county and cover some of the towns here

[@CAROLINATONY]

thanks for the idea.

[@birdnest5814]

Good history lesson. It’s a shame it didn’t thrive.

[@CAROLINATONY]

I guess thats what they mean by headed south

[@tommyyarborough4873]

(Updated 12-21-22) Love this video. However, I wanted to share what history I found in my own research about McColl prior to it being known as McColl. Native Americans lived here first living off the wetlands and swamps. Their history and culture is so intertwined with present day local culture from the small family garden to local cuisine. Prior to the War Between the States the area was known as the Beaverdam Community. Many small family farms of mostly Wesch and Scottish immigrants settled here. They drained the wetlands and swamps. In fact one creek on early maps that ran between Gum Swamp and Beaverdam no longer exists. That creek appears to have run thru the middle of presentday downtown just north of Main Street through the old mill hill areas. The Cheraws District Baptists better known as Welsch Neck Baptists out of Bennettsville built a church at the site of the present day Beaverdam Cemetary. (Before this church was built they met at many churches throughout the area even worshiping with methodists at Pine Bluff and other denominations). During the Civi War Shermans 7th Tennessee Army burnt the church to the ground. (There were two Tennessee armys one for the north and one for the south). A monument for this church stands at the entrance to the Beaverdam Cemetary now. Sometime thereafter another church was built. When the railroad came in the 1880s the entire building was moved uptown to Main Street. I was unable to determine if the present day First Baptist is the descendant church. (New research proves this is the descendant church of Beaverdam Baptist and the Welsch Neck Baptists). In the early 20th century McColl having 3 textile mills actually led the state in industrial production for a decade. ( Some new research indicates McColl may have had as many as 6 cotton mills in the early 20th century). I wanted everyone to know our town existed as a community long before the McColl Family put a railroad here. Thanks for reading.

[@tomyoung8563]

Thanks for the info. I new Sherman’s demons tore up the town. Can’t say I’m surprised they burned a church

[@tommyyarborough4873]

@@tomyoung8563 Again thanks for the video. I being a history buff continue to research McColl and edit my my post. Hope you dont mind me posting on your video new research as it unfolds.

[@pamwiggins8908]

McColl used to be a pretty town ,, but the older owners of these homes passed away and their familys sold the homes to slum lords ,, they never were kept up again ,, they rent these homes and let them fall down around the renters ,,, McColl looks like a war zone now ,, and it's sad , it looks like the town of McColl would burn those hazzard houses down ,, homeless people sleep in them and they gonna get killed in them cause there falling in ,, It's just sad , Sometimes I ride thru the town I was born and raised in and it brings tears to my eyes

[@CAROLINATONY]

A lot of old textile look like that

[@bhp2488]

You should come down and do Hemingway/Indiantown. Tons of history here.

[@Momtocam1997]

Grew up down the road in St Paul's. Thank you for sharing.

[@CAROLINATONY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TyhlerNovac]

You should stay with this intro.. like if anyone else agrees

[@maricareeves5612]

Alot of fights in McColl with ft Bragg guys. Sad but weren't welcome. The boothes own the brick. Across from the brick was an apt. Live there with my mom and step dad

[@pamwiggins8908]

there was also a joint on the street behind the drug store ,, across from the old police dept called babe's ,, Babe Tyler owned it , fights also there too ,,, A friend of mine was shot and killed there ,, his name is Harold Lee , he was 18 years old

[@Chris-xk9rt]

Aw Man! If I'da known you were coming I would have asked my uncle Frank Geddie if you could look into the theater! It's open on Saturdays for free at 8pm!

[@donnavaughn5393]

Thanks you my friend see you soon

[@maricareeves5612]

LIVED in Bennettsville when that tornado came thru

[@jk3letsgo]

I enjoy watching your videos. The content is great. I have a suggestion for you maybe try a lighter camera with better stabilization dji osmo not very expensive or go pro 10 or 11

[@jk3letsgo]

I'm older and a new KZbin Vlogger. Keep up the good work.

[@jwlamb63]

I remember well the tornados of March 1984. I actually flew an aerial survey of McColl with representatives from the Red Cross a few days after the tornadoes. Practically wiped off the face of the map.

[@CAROLINATONY]

It was bad.

[@Big_Country843]

Really enjoying your video's. I love exploring forgotten SC towns. Is Jim's still open? I tired to located it but only came up with Jim's Fireworks. I always try and eat at those types of places when out rambling.

[@pamwiggins8908]

jims is still open his son has it and the firework building is in the yard beside it ,,

[@williampeele5880]

Hey Tony, my grandma worked at the iceman mill. Her and my mom lived in the mill village . Another one of my Aunts worked there also

[@pamwiggins8908]

who are they , I know I'd have to know them ,, My late husband ,, one of his brothers & 2 of my uncles And my daddy worked there ,, Covington Fabrics

[@amandabritt3247]

Thanks for sharing! It makes me sad to see what is currently happening to McColl. It has become a run down poverty drug infested area :(

[@scottjohnson7466]

My grandfather was President of Plymouth Manufacturing, GW "Skipper" Johnson

[@CAROLINATONY]

Where was that

[@scottjohnson7466]

@@CAROLINATONY in McColl. Plymouth was the parent company. It was 99% of McColl economy from 1900-1965

[@scottjohnson7466]

Marie Mill and Iceman (Iseman) Mill.

[@kellydavis3108]

I think the mill village concept is going to cone back again. We'll all work at Amazon for slave wages and live in their dorms

[@CAROLINATONY]

lol

[@markebass]

Feel free to correct me but I think that Hugh McColl (of NCNB/NationsBank/Bank of America) was from the family the town was named after. Also, I am thinking that the body of Michael Jordan's father was found near McColl.

[@CAROLINATONY]

could be. im not sure

[@phillipwalden5546]

The place that Michael’s father was found was just outside of town. He was found in a small creek/river. I believe Kevin Ellis was the one that pulled his body out.

[@markebass]

@@phillipwalden5546 Thank you! I live in Charlotte and thought I remembered that from local TV! I met Mr. Jordan once at a short lived Flight 23 store.

[@tommyyarborough4873]

Yes you are correct on both accounts. The McColl Family got rich in Marlboro County. Hugh McColl, with his connections in Charlotte and the banking community, could do alot to alleviate the poverty and deteriorating infrastructure of McColl and Marlboro County.

[@pamwiggins8908]

Mr jordan was killed in Robenson County N.C and his body brought to McColl and put in a swamp ,

[@justpassingthru3186]

😊👍🏻

[@CAROLINATONY]

thanks for watching.

[@bobbyholt4364]

What? No Twilight Zone? I spent plenty of nights partying there. And when I say nights, I mean ALL night.

[@CAROLINATONY]

I hung out at the Coachman in Bennettsville way back when

[@maricareeves5612]

Yea me to use to bar tend for Doug barfield