Tolleson's Tavern
Major John Tolleson was the first European settler in the area that was to eventually be known as Pacolet Station. In 1784, he was given a Royal grant for land in what is now Pacolet. He was also given a license to operate a tavern and sell alcoholic beverages. He built a log structure that lasted for over a hundred years. The building was in the general vicinity where Jerusalem Church Road ( State Rd. S-42-572) intersects with Main St. (State Rd. S-42-227) in Pacolet Station. At that time, the Jerusalem Church Road was known as the Grindal Shoals Road and was one of the few roads in the Up Country. This tavern was one of the first commercial establishments in the area.
Mills Atlas of 1824 shows this tavern as being located on what was known then as Tolleson Road. This was the stagecoach road that ran between Spartanburg and Columbia. Evidently, Tolleson was responsible for maintaining his part of the road. Main Street of Pacolet Station is on the route of the stagecoach road. Tolleson also opened a store near the tavern. Tolleson died around 1820 at about 90 years old.
According to old accounts, the area around the tavern and the store was first known by the name of Buzzard’s Roost because of the extensive amount of cockfighting that took place there. The little community also acquired a reputation for horse racing, fighting and drinking.
This web site has been started as a public service to share the story of Pacolet.
See more information about my Pacolet connection at Gerald Teaster.