History and Beginnings
Parkins Mill was an operating mill located in the present-day Parkins Mill area. However, unlike most of the mills throughout Greenville, the Parkins Mill did not produce textiles. Built between 1825 and 1830, the mill was situated close to where Reedy River and Brushy Creek meet and it ground corn and wheat to produce flour and meal.
The “Parkins” name allegedly comes from Allen Parkins, the patriarch of the Parkins family that moved to the area from Newberry County around 1817. Parkins bought a large amount of land and quickly accumulated over 2700 acres – stretching from Laurens to Augusta Road and from Pleasantburg to East Parkins Mill.
The mill would operate long after Allen Parkins death in 1836. Elizabeth Parkins, Allen’s wife, took over operations of the mill until her death in 1855. Then, one of their sons oversaw operations for a few years before the mill ultimately closed and went out of business.
The mill building would ultimately stand, even if in disrepair, for more than a century until the mid 1990s the mill would be demolished to make way for other developments and county use.
What is now known as Mauldin Road was originally a dirt path worn from carts and horses traveling from the family home to the Reedy River – originally this path was known as Parkins Mill Road.
However, modern day Parkins Mill Road sits almost in the middle of what the family acreage would have been and divides the now long forgotten estate.
Today, there is not much left of the Parkins properties, mill and outbuildings, and one would be hard pressed to find exact locations of where all the historical buildings stood. The only structure left standing is the overgrown, and generally unattended, Parkins family cemetery.
The area we know today as the Parkins Mill area was a later development in the history of Greenville. Historic ariel photography from the 1950s show the area as rural farmland, but by the late fifties and early sixties development began to line both sides of Parkins Mill Road.
Parkins Mill Road first appeared in city directories in 1950, with the first residences appearing ten years later.
Today
If you are looking for unique home styles, great schools plus a central location, then Parkins Mill and East Parkins Mill are areas you should really consider.
Consisting mainly of two-story custom built homes on larger lots, there are several neighborhoods with price ranges from $200k to over $1 million. The area is known for its location and convenience of being close to almost everything but far enough way to enjoy quiet, peaceful surroundings.
Being near the historic Augusta Road area, and right around the corner from Laurens Road, the area offers a short drive to Augusta Road, Woodruff Road and downtown Greenville.
The school district for the Parkins Mill area is the sought after Sara Collins Elementary (2015 Excellent “Absolute” rating), Beck Academy (International Baccalaureate School) and J.L. Mann High, known for its athletic program and academic awards.
Take a drive through the Parkins Mill Area and its many neighborhoods, most offer sidewalks and lighted streets with well maintained homes and manicured lawns. A range of prices and styles of homes could make it the perfect place to call home.
Helpful links
The List homepage, with properties available throughout the Upstate
Places: Profiles of other communities in and around Greenville
