City of Spartanburg opens time capsule over 60 years old
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – The City of Spartanburg opened a time capsule from over 60 years ago Wednesday morning.
City leaders and residents gathered in the parking lot of the former city hall to look at what was in the time capsule.
It has been 63 years since the time capsule was placed in the cornerstone at City Hall by local Freemasons.
“It’s rare that we have an opportunity for the past to reach out to us here in the future from their perspective and today one of those days,” said Brad Steinecke, assistant director of local history at Spartanburg Libraries.
More than 30 artifacts, including the 1960 city directory, newspapers, coins, and documents were placed in the capsule. Items were individually wrapped, keeping them protected from condensation.
“To be the mayor here as we are moving forward, it’s always unique to take a look back,” said Mayor Jerome Rice, Spartanburg mayor. “Councilwoman Littlejohn found her mother’s phone number and the street she used to live on and Councilman Fulmer is looking through it with his son to see his old address and where his family grew up.”
Officials are hoping to return the favor for future generations and create a time capsule of their own, saying we can always learn from our own history. It will be installed at the joint city-county municipal building once it’s finished in 2026.
“There are these times in which it’s important to think about how we look to the future,” said Steinecke.
Close to 100 people attended, with many Spartanburg residents acknowledging the memories it brought back for them.
“I remember riding by this building when it was brand new,” said Don Bramblett, Spartanburg resident. “There’s good things about our growth and change, especially technology, but also we need to look back at where we were and be grateful that we have come so far.”
City leaders tell us exposing generations of the present to the past in this kind of way is exciting.
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“It’s an awesome time in Spartanburg as we move forward, it’s always great to take a look back,” said Mayor Rice.
All the items found in the time capsule today will be placed in archives at the downtown Spartanburg Library. Some items include:
The names of courthouse employees on the payroll as of April 1961
Pictures of county board
Financial statement of the courthouse and jail from July 1, 1949 to Jan 31, 1959
Proclamation by Mayor Neville Holcobme from April 29, 1961 dedication of the time capsule
Legislative manual from Charles C. Moore, who was a member of the House of Representatives and state senator
A copy of a plaque in the lobby of the courthouse
Resolution by Spartanburg Legislative Delegation passed in the 1958-1959 Session of the General Assembly
Spartanburg County school directory
Spartanburg Journal newspaper clips
Converse and Wofford College bulletins for 1960-61
Southern Bell telephone directory from 1960
1931 coin, incorporation of the municipality of Spartanburg
1873 coin, first railroad train through Spartanburg
1885 Silver Dollar
1889 coin, founding of Converse College
1927 coin, the year Spartanburg airport opened, the first in the state
1922 Silver Dollar
1930 coin, first commercial radio broadcast in the state at WSPA
City Directory from 1960
U.S. news and world report from 1960
Spartanburg map
Dollar bill donated by city employee, Joe Box
Residents look through items in the time capsule. A Spartanburg Journal newspaper was in the time capsule. Different newspapers in the time capsule. Residents look through items in the time capsule.
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