Among South Carolina’s historical treasures, Newell, South Carolina stands out for its authentic glimpse into the past. This abandoned settlement, once a hub of activity and dreams, now serves as a reminder of how communities evolve and sometimes disappear entirely.
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Remarks: Visitors to Newell often reflect on how quickly fortunes could change in frontier communities. The site serves as an important reminder of South Carolina’s dynamic history and the transient nature of many early settlements.
Newell, South Carolina: A Forgotten Community Near Pelzer
Unlike many ghost towns that have been extensively documented in historical records, Newell, South Carolina represents a unique case of a small community that has largely escaped formal historical documentation. This research section compiles the limited available information about Newell while acknowledging the significant reliance on local oral history and first-hand accounts rather than traditional historical sources.
Geographic Location and Context
Newell was located just outside of Pelzer in Anderson County, South Carolina. Pelzer itself is a small town in Anderson County along the Saluda River, established in the 1800s alongside the Pelzer Manufacturing Company, which was a pioneer in the use of electricity for textile manufacturing. While Pelzer has maintained its existence into the present day (albeit with a small population), Newell has effectively disappeared as a distinct community.
The exact coordinates of Newell are not well-documented in formal records, but according to local accounts, it was situated along a state highway near Pelzer. Today, you won’t find Newell on modern maps because it no longer exists as a recognized community, though some physical structures remain as testament to its former existence.
Origins and Development
The origins of Newell are not well-documented in traditional historical sources. However, based on the remaining structures and oral history from descendants of original residents, we can piece together some aspects of its development.
The community appears to have been established sometime in the late 19th century, with the oldest remaining structure—a family homestead—dating to the 1870s. This timeline would place Newell’s development in the post-Civil War period when many small communities were established throughout the South as the region rebuilt and reorganized.
The name “Newell” likely came from an early settler or prominent family in the area, though specific documentation confirming this etymology has not been found. This naming pattern was common throughout the American South, where communities often took the names of founding families or significant local figures.
Community Life and Economic Activities
Based on the physical evidence that remains and accounts from descendants of original residents, Newell was a small but self-sufficient community with several commercial establishments serving the surrounding rural area.
The original structure in the town was a small square building that initially served as a general store. Later, a larger building was constructed to take over the role of the general store, and the original building was repurposed as a combination print shop and post office. The community also featured a small building that functioned as a bicycle repair shop. One particularly notable historical distinction for Newell is that it was reportedly the first place in Anderson County where kerosene was sold.
According to family lore passed down through generations, the grandfather of the current property owner was initially afraid of the flammable nature of this new liquid and stored it in the bicycle shop as a safety precaution. The presence of these various commercial establishments—a general store, post office, print shop, and bicycle repair shop—suggests that Newell served as a small commercial hub for the surrounding rural area, providing essential goods and services to local farmers and residents.
Decline and Current Status
Unlike many ghost towns that were abandoned due to specific historical events such as resource depletion, natural disasters, or government actions, the exact reasons for Newell’s decline are not well-documented. It likely experienced the gradual depopulation common to many small rural communities throughout the 20th century, as economic opportunities shifted to larger towns and cities, agricultural mechanization reduced the need for farm labor, and improved transportation made larger commercial centers more accessible.
Today, the physical remnants of Newell include several abandoned commercial buildings along the state highway, including the former general store, post office/print shop, and bicycle repair shop. A family homestead built in the 1870s also remains on the property. These structures are now owned by a descendant of one of the original town families, who operates a mechanic shop specializing in bulldozer and antique military equipment repair.
Behind the abandoned commercial buildings is what has been described as an “antique car graveyard” that doubles as storage for bulldozer parts. According to the current owner, each vehicle contains various mechanical components—gears, carburetors, and other parts—from construction equipment that he uses in his repair business.
Historical Documentation and Preservation
Newell represents a challenge for historical research due to the limited formal documentation of its existence. It does not appear prominently in county histories, academic studies, or ghost town registries.
The most substantial documentation of Newell’s existence comes from a series of photographs and blog posts created in 2007 by visitors who noticed the abandoned buildings and spoke with the property owner. These photographs, reportedly numbering 183 in total, document the remaining structures and provide visual evidence of this forgotten community. While not formal historical documentation, these images represent an important record of Newell’s physical remains and help preserve the memory of this small community for future generations.
The current property owner, as a descendant of the original town leaders, serves as an important repository of oral history about Newell. His accounts of the community’s history, passed down through generations, provide insights that would otherwise be lost to time. This highlights the importance of oral history in preserving the memory of small communities that may not have been extensively documented in formal historical records.
Conclusion
Newell, South Carolina represents an interesting case study in how small communities can fade from both the physical landscape and historical memory. Unlike ghost towns that were abandoned due to dramatic events and subsequently documented by historians, Newell appears to have gradually declined without attracting significant historical attention. The limited documentation of Newell reminds us that many small communities throughout rural America have disappeared with little formal record of their existence. In such cases, oral histories, family memories, and physical remains become crucial for preserving some knowledge of these lost places.
For researchers interested in the history of Anderson County or ghost towns in South Carolina, Newell offers a reminder that not all historical communities are well-documented in traditional sources. Sometimes, the history of a place must be pieced together from fragmentary evidence, oral traditions, and the physical remnants that have survived the passage of time.
Sources
1. “Ghost Town of Newell SC.” LiveJournal. November 28, 2007. https://greensh.livejournal.com/159440.html
2. “Newell’s Abandoned Cars.” LiveJournal. https://rural-ruin.livejournal.com/726556.html
3. “Pelzer – History.” The Journal. November 14, 2011. https://thejournalonline.com/2011/11/14/town-of-pelzerhistory/
4. “Pelzer, South Carolina.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelzer,_South_Carolina
5. “Anderson County, South Carolina Traditions and History.” Genealogy Trails. https://genealogytrails.com/scar/anderson/traditions&history5.htm
