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Welcome to The Startex/Tucapau Historical Society Website


From the late 1800 until today, Tucapau/Startex has been a town that has shown growth, determination and spirit.

PRIDE IN PROPERTIES

Satpul has taken pride in the properties and fixed it up by cleaning out the bleachery, recycling as much as possible. He has repaired and painted Startex Post Office. These changes certainly improve the appearance of the old mill.

 

STARTEX/TUCAPAU COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION.

The citizens formed the Startex/Tucapau Community Action Association. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the Tucapau Baptist Church.  There will be a different speaker each month and refreshments will be severed. These meetings are informative and keep us up to date on what is happening in Startex.  There are usually 50 to75 people in attendance. You can join the Association for $5.00 a year per household. This money is used to buy cleaning supplies for clean-up day. Clean-up days are held 2 times a year in the spring and fall.

 

NEW WATER LINES AND WORKING FIRE HYDRANTS

Spartanburg County Community & Development Department has been working with the Startex/Tucapau Community Action Association for the past two years to get grants for the new water lines into Startex. These water lines are definitely needed. Starting in August 2007, new 12-inch water lines will be installed. The work will start on the South Main Street side of Startex. This will be an asset to the homeowners, as it will assist in lowering your Homeowner’s Insurance.

 

SEWER SERVICE

Lyman , SC received a grant to serve Startex with sewer needs. This will result in better sewer service.

 

CHRISTMAS IN ACTION

Christmas inn Action was in Startex in April 2007 to work 30 homes. The smiles on the faces of the recipients of the work left our hearts overflowing.

 

IMPROVEMENTS

This is a beginning of improvements for our Community. These improvements will take place over the next 5 to 6 years.

 

See what’s happening.

 

There is much love left in this little mill village. Come and see what is happening. You just may be surprised!

 

Written by Carolyn Downing

Edited by Deb Thomason  

In The News

WE HAVE A NEW SIGN

Startex has a new sign! As you come into Startex from Highway 29, is the WELCOME STARTEX/TUCAPAU est. 1895 sign.  The sign is located at the end of Spartanburg Road in the area known as the STARTEX STAR.  This area is known as the STARTEX STAR because there is a concrete star in that area. No one seems to know the date when the star was built.  

 

(click to enlarge)

This is a beautiful area at Christmas as we decorate a tree in the middle of the star. A community tree lighting ceremony is held around the first week of December. The area churches are invited to lead in singing Christmas carols. This is a special time for the community as it brings us together to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. Refreshments are served.  Friends and neighbors come out to bond and enjoy a time of fellowship. The lights on the tree will remain on until the end of December.

MORE GOOD NEWS!

STARTEX/TUCAPAU COMMUNITY CENTER

 The Startex/Tucapau Community Center is now located in the old Startex Elementary School .  Our monthly meetings are held there on the third Thursday of each month.   

On the second Wednesday of every month, the Startex retiree’s meet in the community center.  The retiree’s enjoy lunch and a time of fellowship. Occasionally a guest speaker will be invited for a presentation. Everyone is welcome to come and join us.  

 

(click to enlarge)

STARTEX/TUCAPAU LIBRARY

The Startex/Tucapau Library is also located in the Startex/Tucapau Community Center. All types of books are available to check out. It will be open two days a week. You can check out the dates on the bulletin board at the Startex Post Office or the sign in front of the school.  Come check us out!

NEW SIDEWALKS

We now have new sidewalks on the right side of Main Street . SJWD is still working on the rest of the water lines in the village. What a welcome addition!

 2009 STARTEX REUNION

We are already making plans to have our 2009 Startex Reunion . The time and date will be announced after the first of the year. If you have anything that we can use, please let us know. Old pictures, articles or just something that you would like to display. You are welcome to do so.

Mr. John Wilson of Martinsville, VA is writing a book about Startex. This book will be filled with his memories of growing up in Startex.  It will be filled with photos of Startex.  Mr. Wilson was a writer for the Spartanburg Herald before his retirement.  The book will be available at the 2009 reunion.  Orders may be placed starting the first of the year. At this time, the price is unknown.


Originally Published in The Spartanburg Herald-Journal Weekly.  Reprinted with permission.

 

Putting The Star Back In Startex

By Glenn D. Bridges

Longtime residents of Startex can recall the days when a thriving textile mill had the community bustling with prominent textile-league ball teams, stores, a barbershop, grand hotel, attractive lakeside homes and much more.

Today, it’s a mere shell of its former self, but thanks to a relatively new organization – the Startex/Tucapau Community Action Association – the town is undergoing a major metamorphosis.  continued....


Originally Published in The Spartanburg Herald-Journal Weekly.  Reprinted with permission.

 

Startex "Star" Becoming Centerpiece For Village Residents

By Glenn D. Bridges

Startex residents will celebrate a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 8, at the “Village Star” located at the corner of Spartanburg and Tucapau roads.

While a local organization hopes to make the ceremony an annual event, there’s a lot more in store for the aging star, which dates back to the days when textile magnate Walter Montgomery purchased the town’s mill and changed the name from Tucapau to Startex Mills to reflect the product’s brand name.  continued...

 

 

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