Piedmont

History

Native Americans and early settlers of Piedmont called the area "Big Shoals of the Saluda" after the Saluda River. The Native Americans used the shoals as a crossing. David Garrison established a grist mill around 1850 upon the shoals changing the name of the area to Garrison Shoals. Henry Pinckney Hammett bought this property for his cotton mill that used water power of the shoals. The name of the area changed again to Piedmont, "foot of the Mountains" and became a mill town. The American Civil War disrupted Hammett's project until 1876 when his plant began operations. Piedmont was added to Hammett's charter for Piedmont Manufacturing Company and a railroad station. Water power from the Saluda River was also used to produce electricity to run the machinery from the 1880s to the 1920s. The machinery of the Piedmont Manufacturing Company was from Saco Lowell and Whitin Machine Works that helped finance Hammett's company. In 1946 the mills were sold to J.P. Stevens and Company where it then was updated with modern features. Manufacturing continued until 1977 and in 1983 most of Piedmont Manufacturing Company burned down.

Geography

Piedmont is located in northern Anderson County and southwestern Greenville County. It is south of the center of Greenville. Exit 35 on Interstate 85 is to the west of the center of Piedmont. South Carolina state road 86 cuts through the small town also, connecting with Interstate 85 at Exit 35. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.93%, is water. The Saluda River flows southwards over a dam through the center of town.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Wren High
  High · Piedmont · 1,202 students · 18.2:1 ratio
• Palmetto High
  High · Williamston · 1,021 students · 17.6:1 ratio
• Powdersville High
  High · Greenville · 999 students · 19.2:1 ratio
• Wren Middle
  Middle · Piedmont · 973 students · 16.2:1 ratio
• Concrete Primary
  Elementary · Easley · 843 students · 18.3:1 ratio
• Spearman Elementary
  Elementary · Piedmont · 801 students · 17:1 ratio
• Palmetto Middle
  Middle · Williamston · 774 students · 13.6:1 ratio
• Powdersville Middle
  Middle · Greenville · 756 students · 14.5:1 ratio