Pickens County
Produce was the first large establishment to be built on 123 Bypass.
Next came TG&Y in 1967, followed shortly thereafter by Belk/Simpson
in the Town and Country Shopping Center. The race was on; both
sides of 123 would explode with growth in the three decades to follow.
The businesses in the historic downtown struggled to keep up. The
construction of Old Market Square would help, but most of the
hustle, bustle had moved was now centered on 123 Bypass.
During the 1970's,
The Chamber helped celebrate our country's 200th birthday in 1976 and, in
1974, the 100th anniversary of Pickens County. During those years, the
Chamber offices were housed in the Jameson Building and, later, in the
Wyatt House.
From about 1960 until
1984, the Chamber and the United Way worked out of the same office.
A secretary shared duties for the organizations until they outgrew one
another. Nancy Bagwell was secretary for both during the late
1970's and early 1980's. Times were lean; Bagwell used a manual typewriter
perched on an old table top. There wasn't enough money for fuel oil -
Bagwell stoked an open fire most winter days just to stay warm.
During those years,
from 1960-1981, Bill Brothers was director of the Chamber of
Commerce. At 21 years, he was the longest serving Chamber director.
Some months he didn't know if he would be paid or not. His jobs included
everything but sweeping the streets!
One of the Chamber
programs in the 1960's was placement of American flags in front of all
downtown businesses at a cost of $5 per merchant. A monthly Chamber
newsletter was begun as well. A couple of the hot issues at the time
continue to this day: Chamber Presidents like Clyde Chapman
wrestled with the debate of parallel versus angle parking on Main Street,
as well as promoting local business. There was also some talk of moving
the train depot; the depot wouldn't survive the next decade. The
Chamber published a booklet in those years entitled "Fifty Facts
About Easley", complete with photos of area attractions and
landmarks.
Of course, the
Chamber never had an abundance of money. Many years, board members
would rely on the generosity of the McKissick family to get them through
touch financial times. E.S. McKissick would occasionally call
and ask if the Chamber needed money. Regardless of the answer, he would
invariably stop by at some point and donate a few hundred dollars.
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