[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE TOWN OF JOHNSTON

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                         HON. LINDSEY O. GRAHAM

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 1997

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, the rich heritage of the town of Johnston, 
SC, began during the Colonial days with three families: The Lott family 
to the east, the Gomillion family to the south, and the Bush family on 
land that is in the present town center. Before the Revolutionary War, 
a gentleman by the name of Richard Bush accumulated land in the area. 
In the mid-19th century, his descendant, Isaac Bush, sold 1,200 acres 
of land to Dr. Edward J. Mims of the nearby town of Edgefield. Dr. Mims 
and his family moved onto this newly acquired land which is the 
original townsite of Johnston.
  The name of the town was not established until its inhabitants saw 
the rapid expansion of the railroad throughout the South. Dr. Mims was 
determined to include his community in the booming opportunity the 
railroad provided. He successfully petitioned William Johnston, 
president of the Charlotte, Columbia, and Augusta Railroad, to route 
the railway through the land on the Mims plantation. In return, Dr. 
Mims agreed to name the town for Mr. Johnston. Earlier the village was 
called Johnston Station, then Johnston's Turn Out, and finally, on May 
25, 1897, it was chartered as its present name, Johnston.
  Today, Johnston, known as the Peach Capital of the World celebrates 
the centennial of its charter. The Johnston Historic District, a 
collection of 146 houses, businesses, and churches dating from the 
1870's to the 1920's is listed in the National Register of Historic 
Places. From the 1870's Johnston had a renowned educational 
institution, first called the Johnston Academy, then the Johnston 
Institute, and later Johnston High School. The town of Johnston remains 
proud of its history and maintains its early emphasis on agriculture 
and education. However, the town also has a strong present and future 
with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology in its many textile 
mills. With firm roots and forward progress, Johnston will continue to 
prosper well into the 21st century.

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