Hagood Mill Historic Site holds groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, March 19 for $1 million completion of Heritage Pavilion
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor
A groundbreaking ceremony and community celebration, held the morning of Wednesday, March 19, 2025, marked an important occasion for supporters of the Hagood Mill Historic Site, as the Heritage Pavilion (across the road from the mill) will be completed this year, thanks to a $1 million grant from the State of South Carolina, secured by Pickens native State Rep. Davey Hiott.
Local talent and graduates of the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program, Bluegrass and Company and The Wilder Flower, opened the celebration with music beginning at 9:45 a.m.
Bluegrass and Company (Elijah Ellenburg, Malachi Ellenburg, and Alyssa White) perform before the groundbreaking ceremony. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Danielle Yother and Madeline Dierauf from The Wilder Flower perform before the groundbreaking ceremony. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
At 10:30 a.m., Ryan Ferrell, Hagood Mill Foundation Board member and Pavilion Committee Chair, introduced The Wilder Flower to play the national anthem.
Ferrell then introduced Rev. Nath Briley, who opened with prayer.
Ferrell then welcomed the crowd to the groundbreaking ceremony. “I’m so excited to be here,” he said. “Thank you all for coming out and being a part of this with us today. This is an exciting time. It’s a day of celebration, a day of happiness. This has been years in the making. We’re here today, with this beautiful weather, surrounded by this great community, and we’re kicking this project off.
“You look behind me, and you see this structure, and you say, well why are we breaking ground? How does that make sense? Give me a moment, and I’ll explain a little bit of the history and take you to where we are today. As you know, these beautiful grounds, this vast complex, though owned by Pickens County, is run and operated by Hagood Mill Foundation, which is a separate, non-profit entity, in addition to staff and literally hundreds of volunteers. Hagood Mill Foundation, along with all these folks and many that are here today, work to ensure that the third Saturday events, the gift shop, the disc golf course, and all the other functions that are held on these grounds year round, are first class, making Hagood Mill a great place to spend time and helping make the Hagood Mill facility the shining gem of the Upstate.
“In a recent marketing study, we found that approximately 40,000 visitors come to Hagood Mill each year. Think about that for just a moment – 40,000 visitors come to this facility each year. And get this. In 2024, there were 10,203 volunteer hours to help make this facility what it is. It’s amazing, something we should all be proud of. As a matter of fact, I’m going to go off script and ask that we give a great big round of applause for all the volunteers, the 10,203 hours, hundreds of volunteers that help make Hagood Mill what it is today. Thank you. Thank you.
Ryan Ferrell, Hagood Mill Foundation Board member and Pavilion Committee Chair (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
“So how does this equate to the Pavilion and the reason that we’re here today? From the time that Hagood Mill Foundation was formed and began operations on these grounds, we had a vision to enclose this existing pavilion on the condition it would heat and a/c, include a multi-purpose room, have a kitchenette in it, something that could be used for classrooms, could be used for bridal suites, something that could be used for all seasons. You’ve seen the events that we’ve had out here through the winter time. There have been some tarps up to try to keep the heat in. It’s been our vision to enclose the pavilion. It will still have great big swing doors, so it will have that pavilion feel. But, with all the activities going on, and all the interest in the Hagood Mill facility, we want to make sure that we can do events year round and have a center that the community is able to use.
“So, in recent years, through grants, donations, and volunteer hours, you’ve seen some progress being made. It’s been made dollar by dollar and board by board. Last year, we received word that, with the help of Representative Davey Hiott, the Hagood Mill Foundation would be receiving funds from the state to help complete the pavilion. Needless to say, we were ecstatic. The foundation immediately went into action. We had Cashion Architect out of Marietta finalize the design details. Bob Cashion was hired to be the construction administrator of the project to assure that a professional oversight was taken as the work proceeded. Bids were solicited to various GC’s (general contractors), and, last week, we were proud to finalize a contract with EDCS Construction (Engineering Design and Construction Services) of Easley, led by Mr. David Cox and Monroe Hodges.
“By the end of the summer of this year, we’ll be standing in front of a beautiful fully-conditioned completed Heritage Pavilion to be used by the community, enjoyed by the 40,000 visitors that we see each year, and stand as a proud structure, once again demonstrating that Pickens County is a great place to live, a great place to visit and enjoy. None of this could have happened without your support, the community support, the volunteer hours, and we are so thankful for that and so pleased that you are here today.”
Billy Crawford, Hagood Mill Historic Site Director (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Ferrell then introduced Billy Crawford, Hagood Mill Historic Site Director. “Welcome, everyone,” Crawford told the crowd. “Thank you all for being here today.” It was his privilege, Crawford said, to thank and to introduce some men who would be speaking, the first being State Representative Davey Hiott, who represents District 4. “He’s served in that role since 2005,” he said. “In 2022, he was appointed the House Majority Leader. You do not get that appointment without having seniority and the friendship of the folks and the respect of the folks that you’re working with down there at the House of Representatives.” He noted that Hiott serves on the Agriculture, the Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs committees and “has been a lifelong champion of the arts, education, history, and cultural heritage. Beyond that, not only has he been a great leader for our district, he has been our friend. He has been our champion. He is our guy. He was put on this earth, just like so many people that are involved at Hagood Mill, to serve, to serve their community, to bring the community together. This man has recognized the importance of Hagood Mill and the things that we provide for this community. It is my great pleasure to introduce Representative Davey Hiott.”
South Carolina State Representative Davey Hiott (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
“Good morning,” Hiott said, as he addressed the crowd. “Thank you for being here on this special day. Billy, thank you for those kind words, but I don’t stand here as one person doing anything other than what everybody else has done together.
“Born and raised in Pickens, South Carolina, living about maybe three quarters of a mile from this place, I’ve known about this place all my life. This has been a special place to me.” Hiott said that, whenever anyone asks what there is to see in Pickens, “one of the first things I always mention is Hagood Mill.
“And, so, when I got involved in politics a long time ago, I had an opportunity to maybe help some organizations. One of the first things that I decided I was going to do was I was going to help Hagood Mill every chance I got. And every chance I get to speak something kind of Hagood Mill, in Columbia, I do that. And every chance I get to speak about Hagood Mill across this state, I do that, as well. And when there’s financial resources available, I try to do what I can to help Hagood Mill.
“The money that was given to finish this project, I believe, is going to be one of the greatest things, not because I did it, but because this community did it.” He said that, when the pavilion is completed late this summer, it will be a “go-to place.”
“You’re going to see all kinds of folks coming into Pickens, Pickens County, wanting to use this facility,” he said, for “reunions, weddings, musical events, all kinds of things, not to mention what the mill can do with it. So, I believe this is going to be one of the greatest assets this community has when it’s completed at the end of this year. I believe that, because of what you’ve already done and what you already see across the street over there, what we all enjoy doing on the third Saturday of each month, is coming out and seeing the smiles on faces of people that get to come and enjoy the great outdoors, get to hold onto their heritage.
“There are a lot of people moving into this area that don’t know about Pickens County, so we’ve got some training to do. And I believe this place can do a lot of the training. I believe this place that’s going to be finished here at the end of this year is going to be able to add to that training. I believe what we’re going to see, when this place is done, is this is going to be a destination place. There are other things coming. There are other people coming. But this is going to be a destination place for this community. It’s because of you folks who give of your time, give of your talents, give of all that you have to continue to make this a great place. And, so, I stand with you today to say I’m proud of what they’ve done. I’m proud of what Billy and Mrs. Betty and Kim and Robert, and I’m not trying to leave anybody out – everybody involved — what they’ve done. We can step in there beside them, and we can go with them, and we can continue to make Pickens County the greatest place to live and work. God bless you. Thank you for this place. And we look forward to cutting the ribbon when we get to open the facility. Thank you.”
Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Crawford thanked Hiott and then introduced Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper, who served as Pickens County’s attorney from 2004 to 2019. “In 2019, he was appointed Pickens County Administrator, and I do believe that he has done a great job. This guy has been a friend to Hagood Mill, as well. And one other notable thing that just came to light was recently he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. That’s a great honor and something that I’m sure will bring great prosperity and new things to Pickens County. It’s my pleasure to introduce Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper.”
“Thank you all for being here,” said Roper. “Thank you for those kind words, Billy. I think the speaking order is out of joint. I should be introducing Billy, and then Billy should be introducing Davey. Billy, who has kept faith with this facility through good times and bad times to see this day come, congratulations. It’s a vision long wanted for and today finally realized.
“It is my honor to be here. I’m here in my capacity representing Pickens County, who is the property owner. And a word of thanks to the Hagood Mill Foundation who has acted as a steward of this land and this project now for over six years. It’s no small endeavor when a group of people come together around a facility like this and are able to maintain the vision and grow that vision. And, so, I just want to say thanks to them on behalf of Pickens County for that.
“The words that Representative and Majority Leader Hiott has said and that Director Crawford has said resonate with me, because it is true and this is something that I tell my staff and I tell other folks — the stories we tell each other about ourselves can become true over time for good or for ill. The stories we tell each other about ourselves can become true for good or for ill. And I will tell you the story of Hagood Mill, the story of our unique cultural heritage, our musical heritage, our farming heritage, our self-reliance, all of those stories that can be told here is something that we need to continue to be true over time. So, tell this story to each other.”
Roper pointed out that Pickens County Council Vice Chair Chris Lollis was in attendance for the ceremony. “I appreciate him being here. I will tell you that the County has no stronger voice for the unique heritage of this county and the way that it needs to continue and will speak passionately on that. So, thank you, Vice Chairman Lollis, for being here for that.
“But I will tell you, these stories can become true if we stay committed to them and we stay committed to telling the things that are unique about our heritage.
“It’s good to see a community pull together with good public servants willing to sacrifice so that that story can keep being a good story for everyone. Pickens County needs to be a part of that story. I need to be a part of that story, and so do you.
“So, it’s a big day. I want to say congratulations and thank you to the Hagood Mill Foundation for the work that they have done. Let’s keep telling this story to each other about this place and about what makes us unique. Thank you.”
Crawford thanked Roper, and then the groundbreaking was held with Crawford, Assistant Hagood Mill Historic Site Director Kim Clevenger, Hagood Mill Foundation Board Chair Robert Sams, Hagood Mill Foundation Board Vice Chair Betty McDaniel, State Representative Davey Hiott, Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper, Hagood Mill Foundation Board member Ryan Ferrell, architect Bob Cashion, and contractor David Cox.
Breaking ground, from left to right: Hagood Mill Historic Site Director Billy Crawford, State Representative Davey Hiott, Hagood Mill Foundation Board Chair Robert Sams, Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper, Hagood Mill Historic Site Assistant Director Kim Clevenger, contractor David Cox, Hagood Mill Foundation Vice Chair Betty McDaniel, Hagood Mill Foundation Board member and Pavilion Committee Chair Ryan Ferrell, and architect Bob Cashion. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Crawford then invited everyone to enjoy refreshments inside the Heritage Pavilion. “We want to thank everyone that has been a part of Hagood Mill in the past, the present, and in the future,” he said. “We are going to make great things happen out here, and the sky’s the limit. We appreciate everything that Davey Hiott has done to carry that along and all of you and all of the support from the community. Onward and upward we go. Thank you all for being here today.”
Ferrell thanked the musicians, Bluegrass and Company and The Wilder Flower, who sang and played before the ceremony, and Luke Deuce and Creekwater Collective, who sang and played following the ceremony. They are all graduates of the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program, founded by Betty McDaniel. Ferrell called them amazing musicians. “All of this talent is local talent,” he said. “We’re so blessed to have that talent here.”
Luke Deuce (Luke Brazinski) and then Creekwater Collective performed to close the celebration.
Following the ceremony: architect Bob Cashion, Hagood Mill Foundation Vice Chair Betty McDaniel, Hagood Mill Foundation Board member and Pavilion Committee Chair Ryan Ferrell, Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper, contractor David Cox, Hagood Mill Historic Site Director Billy Crawford, Hagood Mill Historic Site Assistant Director Kim Clevenger, State Representative Davey Hiott, and Hagood Mill Foundation Board Chair Robert Sams. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Luke Deuce performs following the groundbreaking ceremony. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Creekwater Collective (JonPaul Sepulveda, Judson 'Jud' Stone, Lilly Anne Svrlinga, Ayden Chappell) perform following the groundbreaking ceremony. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The Hagood Mill Historic Site on March 19, 2025 (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Alan Warner, miller for the Hagood Mill, operating the mill on the day of the groundbreaking ceremony for the pavilion completion. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The Hagood Mill Historic Site on March 19, 2025 (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
