Historical Marker

Greenville Cotton Compress

Once world's largest inland press. Set record for most bales pressed in 10-hour day (Sept. 30, 1912), when 2,073 bales were handtrucked, pressed, and loaded in rail cars at rate of 3 a minute.

Before invention of lifts and tractors all labor was done by skilled Negro workers, each man pushing a 500-pound bale and truck at a dead run, moving to relentless pace of work chants.

W. B. Wise, an expert manager of labor, was superintendent; W.T. Williams, assistant; D. M. Love, engineer. This blackland area cotton was then regarded most highly by spinners of England.