The original Ware Shoals Mill was in operation in 1906, driven by electricity from the power plant at Ware Shoals on the Saluda River. The first mill had 30,000 spindles and a new mill in 1916 had 70,200 spindles and 1,300 looms. The Ware Shoals Manufacturing Company became the Riegal Textile Company and in the 60s employed around 5,000 people.

Work shut down in 1985 when the Riegal Textile Co. was sold to Mount Vernon Mills. In the early 2000s, Ware Shoals Mill was demolished, not much remains in the once busy mill town.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ware_Shoals,_South_Carolina