Startex-Tucapau began with Tucapau Mill that opened in 1896 on the Middle Tyger River at Penny Shoals by investors including Captain John H. Montgomery. The mill made cotton cloth using a water wheel powered by the Middle Tyger River.
In 1902, a dam and power plant were built at Penny Shoals. A village built by the mill at first included a store, a school and 33 houses. Later, 350 houses filled the village. A Baptist, Methodist, and Church of God were built. An elementary school was constructed in 1900.
The mill was self-sufficient with a store, post office, movie theatre, cafe, churches, and a three-story community building. Organizations included a Textile League baseball team, Masonic Lodge and Scouts. Following the Depression and labor strikes of the 1930s, Walter Montgomery purchased the mill in 1936 and changed the name to Startex. At its height in the 1960s, the mill employed 1100 workers. Demand for the textiles declined and the mill closed in 1997.
Editor's Note: The following is an account written by Christine Barry, an 8th grader in 1925. This account appears in John D. Wilson’s Sr. book, “Carolina Linthead” along with other Startex - Tucapau stories and memories.
In 1893 - September 7 - there came a party of men from Spartanburg to Middle Tyger River, on a fishing trip (also looking for a mill site). About twelve miles from Spartanburg they came across a grand shoals of water surrounded by a beautiful forest of trees, which was called Penny Shoals. They were favorably impressed with the situation and went home with a determination that if arrangements could be made to buy the shoals and land they would build a mill. The party of men included Dr. Fleming, W. B. Lucas and others. Dr. Fleming and Captain John H. Montgomery, on February 13, 1894 - came to Penny Shoals to locate a mill site (having bought the land and shoals from Mr. Harry Hadden). The price was one thousand dollars.
April 11, 1894 - a surveying party came to Penny Shoals, in charge was, B.L. Arelle an architect from Boston, Mass. They surveyed the land and on April 27, 1894, Dr. Fleming, Mr. Converse, Mr. Greene, and Mr. Cleveland selected the site where the mill now stands. May 9, 1894, Mr. Jack Bright and James Lovis fell the first trees, and went to work clearing the forest for the tenant houses. These men lived in brush (arbor) tents until May 11. Mr. James Snoddy sent Lumber and they built a plank tent. This lumber was hauled by Mr. Crocker.
May 29, 1894 - surveyors laid off a road from Tucapau to Wellford. This work was in charge of T.B. Moore of Wellford, S.C., known in later years as "Uncle Tommie" by his friends and employees. The mill building was completed and ready for operation, June 7, 1895 - As it was necessary to get in with the Towns around, on September 12, 1894, the telephone poles were put into Tucapau. On October 10, the wires were strung.
On May 17, 1895 Tucapau began to issue Stock Certificates and on May 29, the first stock holder's meeting was held at Mr. John B. Cleveland's office in Spartanburg. September 21, 1897, a notable event was the turning on of the water to the water field. It cracked the corner of the mill. The dam, mill foundation and pillars were built by Mr. George Hampton and Mr. Charlie Willard.
Barkers Station 1950-1960
Mr. Charles Howe has been the efficient manager for several years. The first drayman was Mr. Boyd Smith,
who delivered groceries in a wheel-barrow. He was a small lad then, I say then, because I thought
perhaps, you folks who see him now up at the scales at three hundred pounds, would hardly believe
he could have accomplished so strenuous a task. He also walked to Wellford, two and a half miles to
carry mail, until a hack line was put in by Mr. Daniel Barry and Sons, who also carried the mail and one
son Charles D. Barry Still carries it to Wellford every day. The first market was opened by Mr. Daniel Barry,
in what is known as the shoe shop.
Then he went out of the meat business. Mr. C.P. Cannon what at that time worked in the mill, would work
in the mill all week until Saturday on which day he would run a meat wagon. on March 1, 1899, he
opened a market and has been operating it in the same stand for twenty two years. The school house
was a small one room building that stood where the Methodist Church now stands.
First Tucapau Mills School - September 1923
1924 Tucapau Map
The Time Capsule was dedicated on Sunday, September 18, 2016 to be opened June 1, 2046, the 150th Anniversary of the start of production at Tucapau Mills.
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