A senate RESOLUTION

 

to honor and recognize the City of Greer on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary and to wish its citizens continued prosperity, growth, and success in the twenty-first century.

 

 

Whereas, the area now known as Greer once was part of the "Domain of the Cherokees" prior to the American Revolution. The birth of the town began in 1873 when the Richmond and Danville Air Line Railway, now the Norfolk Southern Railway, established a line between Atlanta and Charlotte. A station was built on land that belonged to James Manning Greer, who donated rural farmland between Greenville and Spartanburg to build a train depot in the late 1800s; and

 

Whereas, that train stop grew into a vibrant village with residences, shops, and gathering spots. The Town of Greer's was incorporated in 1876 with William C. Bailey as its first mayor. Merchants, blacksmiths, and physicians set up shop in what is now the downtown area, and in 1900, the Bank of Greer's, the town's first, opened; and

 

Whereas, the Piedmont and Northern Railway laid a second railroad line through Greer in 1914 creating a bustling hub for commerce that enabled farmers to ship crops, that included cotton and peaches, out of state. Greer became a textile manufacturing center with flourishing mills and close-knit communities that grew up around them; and

 

Whereas, the Twentieth Century saw a name change to the City of Greer. After World War II, the city began to grow and diversify. Today, advanced manufacturing companies, suppliers, and global innovators such as BMW have found a home and invested in the city providing jobs to thousands of residents; and

 

Whereas, in the 1960s, Interstate 85 opened along with the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, offering passenger and international all-cargo service. South Carolina's Inland Port Greer has grown from serving one customer to providing local, national, and international industry access to global markets; and

 

Whereas, the City of Greer invested millions of dollars to revitalize and preserve its historic downtown streetscape which is now home to local boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment. The city also invested in quality-of-life initiatives to serve the recreational and public safety needs of its residents for generations to come; and

 

Whereas, to mark its sesquicentennial, the City of Greer has yearlong celebrations planned throughout 2026, with a formal ceremony on March 25, 2026, to observe the city's official 150th birthday. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and recognize the City of Greer on the occasion of its 150th anniversary and wish its citizens continued prosperity, growth, and success in the twenty-first century.

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