Smoke stack

Again, I wonder about the technical aspects of this photo. But I like it. There’s something arresting about this smoke stack. Orrville Mill, highway 28. I have a few other pics of the mill here.

Apply at office

A remnant from what must have been a bustling mill, directing job seekers to the office. Some melancholy in that. Orrville Mill, off highway 28.

Tires

This sign, just off highway 28, caught my eye. I looked more than twice, and realized I should take a photograph.

Light shining through

I like the sun shining through the door and windows of this abandoned, roofless building, located on highway 28.

Water tower

Water tower located adjacent to the slowly disappearing Orrville Mill — which is probably what the “crafted with pride” refers to. I like this tower so much, I took views from the other side too.

Orrville Mill

The light shining through the roof of this mill caught my eye. It is slowly being demolished. Seeing it is like watching the end of an epic movie — that era, when the Orrville Mill thrived on the edge of Anderson (the difference now indistinct) is gone. The houses around the mill still stand though — the majority well kept and maintained, no longer linked to the mill, but still a community. (A larger picture of the demolition is here.)

Church Sign

Another angled shot. I’m incorrigible. I know it’s not the best, but I couldn’t resist. I wanted both the sign and the glorious steeple (which may have housed a church bell at one time).

This sweet church is located on Highway 28. Technically, like the sign alludes to, it is located in Orrville. But Orrville is such a small community and so seamlessly blended with Anderson that I drove this street for ages without realizing Orrville existed. I believe Orrville is a former mill community, named after the founder of the local textile mill.

Why did I want the sign in the picture? Nostaglic and perverse reasons, I guess. Church signs with similar motivational sayings are located all over rural (and even metropolitan) South Carolina. Perhaps other areas as well? I dislike their trite truisms. Christianity for me can’t be summed up into a sentence. (“Turn or burn” is one that makes me laugh — and shake my head equally.) Unlike my feelings though, many South Carolinians LOVE this custom. So I try to be respectful of others’ feelings and not make fun. I take Christ seriously afterall — just not these little sayings. Guess what my mom gave me for Christmas? It was a desk daily calendar — of church sign sayings! I smiled and thanked her. Emily Dickinson rolled over in her grave with its printing. But my mom loves them. And I love my mom. So I kept my trap shut for once. 🙂

Please use side entrance

I took this picture because I was struck by the neon sign — lit up, inviting people in, contrary to the bars and burn marks. Then I noticed the “Please Use Side Entrance” sign. That must be the ticket. Located along Highway 28, heading into Anderson.

El Padrino

One of the many mom and pop stores along Highway 28, heading into downtown Anderson. 🙂