Afro-American Insurance Building

This two-story building with a tan brick facade was built in 1909 for the Afro-American Insurance Company. It is the work of William H. Smith, a noted African-American architect from neighboring Charlotte, North Carolina. Smith designed the building for the local branch of an insurance company that had offices across the southeast. The company was owned and operated by black businessmen and served black clients in predominantly black communities. The Rock Hill branch was significant in its leadership of black commerce in the city during the early twentieth century. In addition to the Afro-American Insurance Company, this building has also housed other black-owned businesses, including restaurants and grocery stores over the past century. Though many black-built and owned businesses in Rock Hill have been destroyed during redevelopment projects, the Afro-American Insurance building remains a fixture.

Rock Hill Body Company

The Rock Hill Body Company was one of the earliest makers of truck and school bodies in South Carolina. The company can trace its roots to the Rock Hill Buggy Company and the Anderson Motor Company which were also based in Rock Hill, SC. The Rock Hill Body Company operated from 1915 to 1987 and was originally known as J. C. Hardin and Company which mostly repaired horse buggies, but was renamed in the 1920s after switching to motor vehicles. In 1937 the company moved into the building formerly known as the Victoria Yarn Mill #2 on West Main Street. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Anderson House

The Anderson House (1898) is the former residence of John Gary Anderson, who was president of the Anderson Motor Company in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Citizens Bank Building

The Citizens Bank Building, also known as Franklin's Clothing Store, is a historic bank building, located at 157 E. Main St. It was built between 1909 and 1910, and is a four-story brick building, plus basement. It was the first building in the city constructed as a speculative office building, the first with a passenger elevator, and the tallest commercial building in Rock Hill. Amélie’s Rock Hill has taken residence downstairs with some definite character left intact. The old bank vault, seen from behind the pastry case, still holds all the valuables and has been converted to a walk-in cooler.

Citizens Bank Building

The Citizens Bank Building, also known as Franklin's Clothing Store, is a historic bank building, located at 157 E. Main St. It was built between 1909 and 1910, and is a four-story brick building, plus basement. It was the first building in the city constructed as a speculative office building, the first with a passenger elevator, and the tallest commercial building in Rock Hill. Amélie’s Rock Hill has taken residence downstairs with some definite character left intact. The old bank vault, seen from behind the pastry case, still holds all the valuables and has been converted to a walk-in cooler.

Mount Prospect Baptist Church

Mount Prospect Baptist Church has significance for its role in the development of the ethnic heritage of Rock Hill's black community and for its status as a largely intact example of church architecture. In 1883, a group of African American Baptists began meeting in private homes in Rock Hill. Many had been members of other Baptist churches before the Civil War and desired their own church. The congregation grew and was organized in 1885, when the first building was constructed. They were originally known as First Baptist Church, Colored. After fire destroyed the first building, the congregation constructed a new building in 1900 that also burnt in 1914. The present brick sanctuary, constructed in 1915, exhibits elements of the Romanesque Revival style. The interior of the sanctuary has exposed beams and a metal ceiling. This church was listed in the National Register in 1992. The stained glass windows are truly beautiful.

Dr. William W. Fennell House

This home was owned by Dr. William Wallace Fennell (August 29, 1869-October 11, 1926) who was born in Richburg, Chester County. When the Fennell Infirmary opened in 1908, Dr. Fennell included large wards for African-American patients at a time when many white physicians would not treat black patients in the same facility with white patients. He was held in such esteem by the black citizens of Rock Hill, according to one source, some called him “Doctor God.” It was said of him that his generosity knew no bounds and all was given to the glory of God. There are many stories of his generosity to the poorer citizens, both black and white. When he died on October 11, 1926, Dr. Fennell was universally mourned in the Rock Hill community and beyond. The stores and offices in the city were closed during the hour of the funeral at 11:00 am on Wednesday October 13 as a mark of respect. The Evening Herald noted that “In all his career, Dr. Fennell was never known to turn away, for lack of money, any person in need of medical attention. It has been said by his associates that the world will never know the full extent to which Dr. Fennell served humanity for the love of service, that even his closest friends and members of his family knew only a few of his generous acts."

Williams Bynum Cotton Warehouse

This is the Williams Bynum Cotton Warehouse on 122 Southern Street. The warehouse opened around 1900 as a farmers’ cooperative shop, a place where families brought produce to pool together and sell to the highest bidders. E. Les Williams took ownership in the 1920s and formed the Williams Cotton Company. As years passed, the warehouse fell into disrepair and in 2008, heavy winds caused part of the building to collapse. Of the original painted letters “Cotton Warehouse”, the word “Cotton” is all that’s left today. Sleeping Giant Distillery will soon be making its home in the adjacent Cotton Depot building. Investors are hopeful to turn the 5000 sf warehouse into a restaurant or event space in the future.

Cotton Depot Building

This structure sits next to the Williams Cotton Warehouse on 122 Southern Street. Sleeping Giant Distillery will soon be making its home in this building.

Marshall Homes

Featured here are the Marshall House (1905) and Marshall-Twitty House (1910) on East Main Street. The Marshall family was involved in the local hardware and oil distribution businesses. The family's descendants were and are prominent participants in the development of Rock Hill.

Oakland Avenue Historic District

Hampton House

In 1906, the only house in the immediate Woodland Park area was a Queen Anne style home, built for the wealthy Gibson sisters in 1875. Their house, historically known as the Rawlinson House is now commonly known as the Hampton House. It has been beautifully restored and is part of the Marion Street Area Historic District which consists of a total of 29 homes.

Caldwell Street Post Office

The Caldwell Street Post Office and Courthouse in Rock Hill, constructed in 1931-32, is significant as an indicator of the population growth and commercial development of the city in the first third of the twentieth century. Its erection also reflects the rapid growth in Federal construction following the Public Buildings Act of 1926. The Post Office and Courthouse’s carefully composed classical exterior and richly ornamented lobby and courtroom, designed by the Supervising Architect’s Office of the Treasury Department, made the new Federal building the most accomplished piece of architecture in the city at the time of its construction. Well maintained, and with only minor alterations, the Post Office and Courthouse is an important element in the fabric of the city’s central business district. Listed in the National Register on January 21, 1988, it is currently in use as the Gettys Art Center.

Caldwell Street Post Office

The Caldwell Street Post Office and Courthouse in Rock Hill, constructed in 1931-32, is significant as an indicator of the population growth and commercial development of the city in the first third of the twentieth century. Its erection also reflects the rapid growth in Federal construction following the Public Buildings Act of 1926. The Post Office and Courthouse’s carefully composed classical exterior and richly ornamented lobby and courtroom, designed by the Supervising Architect’s Office of the Treasury Department, made the new Federal building the most accomplished piece of architecture in the city at the time of its construction. Well maintained, and with only minor alterations, the Post Office and Courthouse is an important element in the fabric of the city’s central business district. Listed in the National Register on January 21, 1988, it is currently in use as the Gettys Art Center.

Rock Hill Oratory

The Rock Hill Oratory (1934) is a part of a worldwide federation of 60 independent houses. Founded by St. Philip Neri in 1575 in Rome, members of the Oratory are bound not by vows, but by bonds of love. The community remains relatively small to encourage interpersonal relationships. Governed democratically, the entire community shares in making major decisions with all members having equal rights and responsibilities. The Rock Hill Oratory is the first Oratory that was founded in the United States. Through the years, the Rock Hill Oratory has actively supported local civil rights efforts and sponsored and welcomed refugees from Southeast Asia. Members also currently minister to a large Hispanic community as well as house and minister the needs of aging priests and brothers.