Woolworth's
By: Cole Glass
The Woolworth in Rock Hill opened in 1916 at 141-43 East Main Street. This Five-&-Dime was the first to open a lunch counter and the first to install air conditioning. The Woolworth sold clocks, aprons, towels, embroidery, enamelware, scarves, candy, hardware, ect. F.W. Woolworth's' received its name from the founder Frank Winfield Woolworth. Mr. Woolworth started his business in New York City in 1878. Everything he sold was priced at five cents. The F.W. Woolworth building burned in 1934 but was rebuilt. It reopened on April 4,1935. The Woolworth in Rock Hill closed in 1991. In 1990, 78 Woolworth stores closed while only 21 opened. This Woolworth held sit-ins during the 1960's for Civil Rights activists. This site should be restored because it has been and will continue to be a historical place in Rock Hill.
York Co. Library Local History Room
This is a picture of a Woolworth
sit-in during the 1960's.
This is a picture of a lunch
counter inside a Woolworth store.