What is a Saltbox?
This summer we printed our first issue of Saltbox Quarterly, a community newspaper by Griggs Church. You can sign up to receive them each quarter, for free, via mail. Here’s the article we placed in that paper answering the question, “What is a Saltbox?”
Thank you for picking up our first issue. , you made history — at least Griggs history.
Griggs, a church in Poe Mill, is dedicated to delivering the good news. But we also love sharing other kinds of good news, especially as we celebrate and document the vibrant lives of those in the mill villages of West Greenville, SC.
What started as a quarterly update for our supporters seemed to be morphing into a community newspaper so we decided to embrace it, print it, and put it out there. We’re not journalists or even writers, but we enjoy giving things a shot and just seeing what happens. We hope you enjoy it too, but if you don’t, just remember - you get what you pay for. This newspaper is free.
The name of our paper draws inspiration from the saltbox houses that define our community’s architectural landscape. These homes, with their distinctively long, angled roofs, resemble the wooden salt boxes found in early American kitchens.
Saltbox homes were a staple in New England mill villages in the 17th century. When textile entrepreneurs made their way south in the 19th century, they brought this design with them because these homes were cost-effective and relatively easy to construct.
Pioneers like F.W. Poe knew these homes were built to endure. The original purpose of the sloped roof was to prevent snow from piling up and caving in on living rooms up north. Saltbox houses are designed with sturdiness and longevity in mind and as an added perk, they provide a bit of extra space compared to other working-class homes.
The people who live in these historic saltbox houses seem to embody the same sturdiness and longevity. Their resilience, perseverance, and ability to adapt reflect the qualities of their dwellings.
In every beam - and every inhabitant - of these saltbox houses, we see the spirit of a community that thrives through challenges, standing strong and unwavering.
In each issue, you can look forward to good news. We’ll share stories about the people, events, and traditions that have shaped our side of town. We’ll explore our history and share the gems we find along the way.
While we honor our past, we also look to the future. Just as saltbox houses have inspired modern architectural designs we hope our newspaper will inspire fresh ideas and foster a sense of innovation within West Greenville. We’ll tell you all we can about the current residents and organizations who are making good things happen.
We see a bright future and a new era on the horizon, from Sans Souci to Welcome. Stepping into that future involves recognizing those who are hidden, celebrating and collaborating with our wonderful non-profits and ministries, and equipping our neighbors to meet the immediate needs around them.
One hope we have is that we can, at times, unify the city and the county, the Eastside and the Westside. Both have strengths and perspectives to bring to the table that, when realized, will make the Upstate an even better place to live.
