Fort Mill takes its name from a colonial-era fort built by the British and a grist mill on nearby Steele Creek. The area has a rich history. The Catawba Indians made their home here for many years. Scotch-Irish settlers began arriving in the 1750's and 1760's, and a small settlement soon developed. Fort Mill grew rapidly in the late 1800's as textile mills were established.

Main Street, circa 1900s Photo courtesy of Fort Mill Times

Highlights in Fort Mill's history include:

• Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Cabinet passed through the area in their flight from Richmond in 1865. The last meeting of the full Confederate Cabinet was held at the White Homestead in Fort Mill.
  
  
• Fort Mill was the home of Elliott White Springs, WWI flying ace, author, industrialist and member of the South Carolina Hall of Fame.

Main Street, 2000 Photo courtesy of Fort Mill Times

In the mid-1700's, Thomas Spratt and his wife Elizabeth were traveling through upper South Carolina in their wagon.

They spent a night among the friendly Catawba Indians and were invited to stay and live in the area on a large tract of land given to them.

They became the first white settlers in the Fort Mill area and their descendants still live here.

The Bandstand in Confederate Park has been a focal point in Fort Mill for many years. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Krause