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What’s in a name?
The history behind several Greenville, S.C. street names
Ever wondered where some of Greenville’s street names originate? Laurens Road, Perry Avenue + Markley Street are all named after some pretty historical figures.
To make sure your knowledge of these Upstate street names isn’t as jumbled as your GPS device’s pronunciation of them (Oh really, Siri? You’re leading me to Petite-grow Street?), we’ve put together a quick guide to what’s in a street name.
One reader told us: “Manly... after my great-great-grandfather, who was president of Furman University. Most of the streets were named for professors or presidents of Furman University because Furman University used to be where University Square is now so most of them lived nearby.”
Wade Hampton Boulevard was named after Wade Hampton III, a confederate military officer during the Civil War. Hampton was also elected as the 77th Governor of South Carolina (from 1876 to 1879), and later served as a US Senator. He was born in Charleston and died in Columbia.
Joel Roberts Poinsett | Photo from the Prints and Photographs Division/Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Poinsett Highway: Poinsett is a pretty common name around here, and that’s because Joel Roberts Poinsett once called Greenville home (hence why we have bridges, streets, and statues named after him).Poinsett was a member of the S.C. legislature, the US House of Representatives, was the first United States Minister to Mexico, the Secretary of War, and a co-founder for what would eventually become the Smithsonian Institution. You can also thank him for your Christmas poinsettias (he brought them back from his time in Mexico).
The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, oil on canvas by John Trumbull, completed in 1820; in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Washington, D.C. Col. John Laurens is depicted among the American officers on the right (second from right, standing), and Col. Alexander Hamilton is depicted to his right (third from right, standing). | Photo from Britannica.com
Laurens Road: Many believe Laurens Road was named after John Laurens, a lieutenant colonel under General George Washington during the American Revolution. Laurens was an abolitionist and suffered four different wounds in battle. He was just 27-years-old when he died.
Click the button below as we continue our history lesson.
BUBBLES & BLOWOUTS | Monday, Apr. 24 | 5-7 p.m. | KB & Co. Hair Lounge, 902 N. Church St., Greenville | Free entry | Enjoy complimentary champagne, a taco or three from the taco bar, hair conditioning treatments, blowouts, and Surface product samples.
Tuesday, April 25
Networking Schmetworking | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Upstairs at Gather GVL, 126 Augusta St., Greenville | Free entry | Leave with a friend, not a business card at this gathering for young professionals in the Greenville area, plus enjoy discounts at JBX, GBX, and Mercado.
Wednesday, April 26
Cake & Whiskey Hob Nob | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Six & Twenty Distillery, 556 Perry Ave., Ste. B103, Greenville | Free entry | Bring a friend to this businesswomen networking event featuring a cash bar and TIMTations cake.
Thursday, April 27
Piedmont Plant and Flower Festival | Thursday, April 27-Sunday, April 30 | Times vary | Greenville State Farmers Market, 1354 Rutherford Rd., Greenville | Free entry | Vendors will have a variety of plants, flowers, home, yard, and garden decor and handmade crafts — Master Gardeners and Clemson Extension agents will be on hand to answer questions.
Friday, April 28
Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays | Friday, Apr. 28 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | NOMA Square, 220 N. Main St., Greenville | Free entry | Celebrate the start to the weekend with Odyssey Band.
Saturday, April 29
Preseason Plant Sale | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Travelers Rest Farmers Market, 235 Trailblazer Dr., Travelers Rest | Free entry | Mark your calendars for the Travelers Rest Farmers Market preseason plant sale, featuring indoor plants, garden plant starters, fresh cut flowers, and more for all your leafy needs.
Sunday, April 30
Music on the Mountain: Stephen Neil | Sunday, Apr. 30 | 1-4 p.m. | Eagle Mountain Winery, 2330 Hwy. 11, Travelers Rest | Free entry | Join Stephen Neil of the Synergy Twins on the Eagle Mountain Winery patio to hear him play live music on his electric violin while you sip on a glass of wine.
The McDaniel — 20 luxury townhomes planned for East McBee Avenue — received approval from Greenville’s Planning Commission. The homes will range from $1.4 to $2.2 million. Take a closer look at the plans. (Upstate Business Journal)
Open
The Rupert Huse Veteran Center is now open at 770 Pelham Rd., offering resources and services (think: physical and mental health, workforce development, housing stability, legal, and business) to veterans and first responders. It also features a CrossFit gym and an art studio. (Greenville News)
Coming Soon
TakoSushi — a Latin-Asian fusion restaurant — will open a second location at 325 Rocky Slope Rd. (in the Verdae area near Chestnut Coffee). While you wait for it to open, get a taste of sushi rolls and burritos at the restaurant’s original Upstate location at 34 S. Main St. (Upstate Business Journal)
Announced
It’s a nice day for a white wedding Billy Idol concert. Get tickets to see the rock icon at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, April 29 after he added an Upstate stop to his current tour.
Edu
GREEN Charter Schools will open two new Upstate locations for the 2024-2025 school year: a K-8 school in Simpsonville and a K-5 school in Taylors. The schools will focus on preparing STEM students to “creatively impact our world in sustainability, renewable energy, and conservation efforts.” (Greenville News)
Asked
“We develop as we feast on art.” That’s a line still dazzling us from our recent poetry contest. Be part of the judging panel and vote for your favorite poem. Fun fact: All the words in our finalists’ poems came from one of our newsletters.
Job
Want to thrive at the Y? YMCA of Greenville is hiring for the summer for multiple positions (read: lifeguards, camp counselors, child watch associates, sports counselors, and more). Learn more + apply.*
Drink
Hydration is key this time of year. Need to buy some water that will actually make you want to drink water? Meet Hint and use code 6AMCITY for over 45% off. (Hint: We love the Watermelon and Peach Raspberry flavors.)*
Travel
Whether it’s for sightseeing or getting down to business, take advantage of nonstop flights from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Starting Friday, May 5, American Airlines is offering two daily round trip flights to the Big Apple.Book a flight + learn more.*
Get excited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with our online shop (Six & Main). Cheers with this Margarita Bundle from Simple Times Mixers, and treat your taste buds with Sobremesa, a small-batch mole and salsa company.
Seasonal
Greenville in bloom
Greenville in bloom: Here’s where to see, shop, and pick flowers this spring
The colors are unbe-leaf-able. | Photo by the City of Greenville
7,500. That’s how many flowers the City of Greenville planted ahead of Earth Day (Saturday, April 22).
If you’re looking to stop and smell the roses, visit one of our city’s public gardens and take in the blooms.
Falls Park | 601 S. Main St. | This 32-acre park is the largest public garden in Greenville with multiple public gardens on both sides of the Reedy River.
Pedrick’s Garden at Falls Park | 13 University St. | Themed around sunflowers and featuring a pedestrian bridge and fountains, you can find this garden near Vardry Creek behind the West End Market.
The Children’s Garden at Linky Stone Park | 24 Reedy View Dr. | Located between downtown Greenville and the West End, this interactive multi-themed garden is designed to enrich children’s intelligence, creativity, and well-being.
Happy Monday, GVL. This weekend flew by but I made sure to pack it full with local fun. From celebrating Record Store Day to indulging at euphoria’s “in vito veritas” and “roast & toast,” it was the perfect spring weekend.
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