For 150 years, The Greenville News has reported the stories of our community and the people who give life to the Upstate. Here is a brief overview of our history through each half-decade, telling Greenville's story from 1975 through 2024.
The Greenville News ' third half-century was filled with the rise of many entertainment and manufacturing jobs in the area as the city saw many new investments come into the surrounding areas.
The arrival of Michelin brought two plants to Greenville and Anderson in 1983, as the tire company produced its first product a year later with nearly one million square feet of working space at Donaldson Center.
The 1990s brought about many changes. At the beginning of the decade, the Peace Center was built, serving as the downtown concert hall and amphitheater. On May 23, 1993, BMW broke ground and began its operations in 1994, investing more than $9 billion in Spartanburg.
In 1995, Knox White was voted mayor of Greenville and oversaw many downtown and countywide developments. Through all of them, he recognized the benefit of The Greenville News' coverage of the area.
"That may be the proudest accomplishment of the News over its many decades- recognition that Greenville had 'something special,'" said Mayor Knox White in a statement to The Greenville News . "Whether it was school desegregation in the '70s or making an abrupt transition from a 'one industry' textile town to a strongly diverse economy, the News advanced the idea that Greenville should not be afraid of forging a path different from other cities."
Many of those advancements included the BI-LO Center (now known as the Bon Secours Wellness Arena) in 1998 as it replaced the former Greenville Memorial Auditorium, Liberty Bridge in Falls Park in 2004, the Swamp Rabbit Trail of 2010, and more, including 13-plus hotels to arrive downtown.
National stories such as the political and social issues surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the prominence of Black Lives Matter caused surrounding Upstate areas to jolt into action in 2020, alongside the protest of mandatory shutdowns due to the coronavirus by Gov. Henry McMaster in 2019. It all has been part of The Greenville News' attempt to deliver truthful and insightful news to our readers.
"It’s no exaggeration to say that all of the consequential civic projects we enjoy today were championed by the News," said Mayor Knox White. "The removal of the Camperdown Bridge to make way for Falls Park, the Peace Center, the Governors School for the Arts, relocation of the baseball stadium to the West End, the reopening of the Poinsett Hotel, the imperative for residential in downtown and Unity Park…. the list is a long one. Many of these projects were controversial at the time, but the News reported the facts and courageously advocated for Greenville’s future.
"Journalism itself is different now, but what happens locally still matters. It’s not just 'the News' on the masthead. It’s the 'Greenville News'. With it comes an exciting opportunity and serious responsibility to shape our community’s future."
– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription .
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: From archives: Greenville 1975 to 2024: manufacturing, Peace Center, Bon Secours; photos
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