Honea Path
The origins of the name for Honea Path, SC have been debated for decades. Many legends speak to the Native American influence in the area. One theorizes that because the native word for path sounded like honey, the settlers began to use it as a name for the town before officially naming it Honea Path. Another says that a native Chief named Honea was used as the namesake. There are even some stories that believe the surplus of bees along a large path within the area caused settlers to refer to it as "honey" path which evolved into Honea Path over time.
Fitting Schools
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, institutions referred to as fitting schools emerged in the upstate of South Carolina, one of the more prominent being the Furman Fitting School. Fitting schools were meant to prepare boys, typically around the age of 16, for college. Since public education rarely progressed past that of the 8th grade, these fitting schools were extremely beneficial for young men to be accepted into large universities and prevent dropping out before finishing their degree. The boys would live at the fitting school and attend a variety of courses, from math to Latin, much like that of college itself.
[Photo of Montage Hall and Furman Fitting School]
1. Judy Bainbridge, "Greenville history: Before Furman University, there was Furman Fitting School," Greenville News, last modified August 31, 2020, https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/opinion/2020/08/29/learn-furmans-high-school-education-started-1851/3407215001/
2. "Honea Path," Greater Abbeville Chamber of Commerce, accessed October 20, 2023, https://abbevillechamber.org/about-abbeville-county/our-towns/honea-path
3. "Montague Hall and Furman Fitting School, ca. 1902", Furman University, Special Collections and Archives, accessed October 20, 2023, https://cdm16821.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16821coll12/id/2072/rec/1
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Andrew Carnegie and Carnegie Libraries
Andrew Carnegie was a prominent figure in the United States from the late 19th century until the early 20th century. Carnegie emigrated from Scotland to the United States when he was about 13 years old. He worked small jobs before becoming a secretary for an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad. From there, he continued to rise the ranks before becoming an entrepreneur in the steel industry. Carnegie amassed a fortune across his lengthy career in business. Later in life, he turned toward philanthropy. One of the areas he funded heavily was public libraries. Through his foundation, Carnegie funded 1,689 public libraries across the United States, one of which being in Honea Path, SC.
[Photo of Andrew Carnegie]
1. "Biography: Andrew Carnegie," PBS, accessed October 13, 2023, https://pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/carnegie-biography/
2. Susan Stamberg, "How Andrew Carnegie Turned His Fortune Into A Library Legacy," NPR, last modified August 1, 2013, https://www.npr.org/2013/08/01/207272849/how-andrew-carnegie-turned-his-fortune-into-a-library-legacy
3. "[Andrew Carnegie, half-length portrait, facing slightly left]", Library of Congress, accessed October 20, 2023, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98507118/
Jennie Erwin Library
In 1907, the mayor of Honea Path, John Humbert, created the Honea Path Library Association to provide residents with a public, free-access library. During the early 20th century, Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest men at the time, offered money to various towns across the United States to build public libraries. Honea Path received $5000 from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation to build their Carnegie Library. Three of the most prominent individuals crucial to receiving these funds were Dr. John Wright, Mayor John Humbert, and Miss Jennie Erwin. Miss Jennie Erwin was of particular importance as she provided support for the development as a whole, as well as provided financial support in the form of $1000 to purchase the library's first books. The library was formally opened in 1908. In 1958, the library's name was changed to the Jennie Erwin Library to honor her contributions.
[Photo of Carnegie Library Marker]
[Postcard of Carnegie Library, 1910]
1. "S*747," South Carolina Legislature, accessed October 20, 2023, https://tinyurl.com/JennyErwinLegislation
2. Brian Scott, "Carnegie Library," The Historical Marker Database, last modified October 15, 2020, https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=10759