Coming To America

Greenville, SC, was once called the “Textile Center of the World.” Some of the nation’s largest textile mills were constructed from the turn of the century well into the late 1930s. The first textile mill was built in 1876. Due to the success of the mills, the jobs they created, and the railroad infrastructure, Greenville became an important industrial and commercial center, attracting newcomers from many ethnic backgrounds. Economic opportunity resulted in a robust community with constantly growing needs.

Coming to America was the dream of many people in countries throughout the world, including the people of Greece. At the turn of the twentieth century, much of Greece was stricken by poverty, hard hit by economic and agricultural issues. The Greek people who came to America needed opportunity, hope, and a new place to call home.

Greek forefathers were true pioneers and came to this country for different reasons. Some left for a new life with hopes of a better economic future; some left to reunite with family; and some left to evade religious persecution and political unrest. It is difficult to imagine them leaving their homes and all that was familiar to them to begin a new life filled with many uncertainties and unforeseen challenges.

Entering the United States for the first time could be both exciting and frightening. Although there were ports of entry in Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore, and New Orleans, the greatest number of immigrants entered through Ellis Island, located in the New York harbor. From the early 1890s up until the 1940s, over 12 million foreigners were processed through Ellis Island. More than 1.25 million immigrants came through Ellis Island in 1907, the single largest number of immigrants in America’s history.

First- and second-class passengers were not required to undergo the inspection process. If a person could afford to purchase a first- or second-class ticket, it was thought that he was likely to become a better citizen and therefore not a burden to the state. Third-class citizens were ferried to Ellis Island to undergo a medical and legal inspection.

If one’s papers were in order and the health of the immigrant was deemed to be “reasonably” good, the inspection process took three to five hours. A sponsor was needed for the immigrant to enter the United States. As the immigrants settled into their new country, they then became sponsors themselves. Many brought their future wives to America, as well as sponsoring family members to join them as they became citizens in their adopted “new” country. The Greek immigrants were loyal to their new country.

There were a large number of immigrants of Greek descent who ventured south after arriving in New York, staying in the New York area until they had saved enough money to relocate. The Upstate of South Carolina appealed to them since the climate and landscape of the area is similar to their homeland and felt familiar. Sparta, Peloponnese, Karyae, Karpenisi, and of course, Athens, were a few of the areas of Greece that immigrants left to locate here. Some also came from Greek settlements located on the coast of Turkey.

Although the textile mills offered many job opportunities, the New Greek immigrants did not have experience running equipment in factories and did not speak fluent English, creating a challenging language barrier. Money was tight, so many of the immigrants took jobs that required little spoken English. They worked hard and were quick learners, working in a variety of jobs, such as restaurant work, confectioneries, bakeries, and shoe-shining.

It is documented that the first immigrants of Greek descent to establish roots in Greenville were George Kondouros and Sotirios Maurogiannis in 1898. One of the first Greek businesses to open was a candy store on South Main Street in the block between Washington Street and McBee Avenue. It was operated by A.K. Manos and J.P. Alexes.

During World War I, the United States Army built Camp Sevier on the outskirts of town. This training camp saw an impressive 100,000 recruits being trained to fight overseas. A building boom was created, resulting in many people migrating to this area to supply and complement the growing population. With economic opportunities, a familiar landscape, and the freedom that had been denied in their “homeland”, the groundwork for a better future was laid in the Upstate.

A prominent forefather, Charlie Efstration, used to say, “When a Greek meets a Greek, they open a restaurant.” How true were those words! Many partnerships were formed, usually lasting until one partner could save enough to open his own business. Due to a strong work ethic and sense of family, the Greek owned businesses flourished.

Greeks possessed a strong desire to “blend in.” Being “Greek” meant one was a second-class citizen. There were obstacles to conquer and endure. It was important to be considered a productive part of the community. Most of the Greek immigrants that settled in Greenville in the 1920s had come to America in the early 1900s. Some returned to Greece to fight in the Balkan War, while some stayed and joined the United States military during World War I. By the mid-1920s, there were as many as 14 restaurants owned and run by immigrants of Greek descent in Greenville, SC. Among them were Charlie’s Steak House, Pete’s Lunch Room on Pendleton and Main Street, the Boston Lunch, Sam’s Lunch, the Savoy, City Café, Tom’s Nickel-Up, New York Café, American Café, and Quick Lunch. Most of them were diners offering a quick lunch alternative. These restaurants were the forerunners of the fast-food fad that became popular in the 1960s.

Not all the Greek immigrants opened restaurants. One was Henry Theodore, who owned a shoeshine stand and also started a long-distance taxi service that evolved into Eagle Bus Lines. He had a fleet of six buses and boasted that each one cost as much as $12,000. Auto Antiques was also owned and operated by of Eagle Bus Lines.

Panayiotis Theodore Betsos, a tailor, operated his shop in the Poinsett Hotel building. He had learned his trade in Constantinople and located his business in the largest hotel in Greenville. Mr. Betsos dropped his last name and became known as Peter Theodore.

Peoples Bakery was founded by George Paouris on Pendleton Street and later moved to a newly constructed building on Rutherford Street with a fleet of over 30 delivery vehicles. They delivered bakery goods to a plethora of businesses and individuals in the Upstate.

Other notable businesses owned and operated by Greek community members included Atlas Vending Company, Southern Fruit and Produce Company, and Theodore Distributing Company. In 1932, the Greek community in Greenville purchased a house at 15 DeCamp Street to become their first local church. In 1936, they enjoyed their first priest in residence, Reverend Michael Merkouris. He also served Anderson and Spartanburg regions.

In addition to the Greek immigrants who left their stamp on Greenville, SC, the Greek community in Greenville produced many more notable individuals, including His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos, Lt. Governor Nick Theodore, SC Representative James George Mattos (Jimmy), Fanya C. Paouris, and Lynda Leventis-Wells.

His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos was born in 1938 in Greenville, South Carolina. He graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1963 and studied at Yale Divinity School before joining the staff of the Archdiocese in New York City and charged by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos to establish a national Campus Ministry program for Orthodox college students. He has played a major role in the founding and nurturing of several Archdiocesan and inter-Orthodox ministries still active today including being a founder of the OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship), founding editor of the Orthodox Observer, founding Executive Director of the St. Photios National Shrine, and founding Director of the OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). He was elected in 1977 to serve as President of Syndesmos, which was headquarter in Helsinki, Finland. After receiving the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios, he traveled to many countries establishing contact with Orthodox young people.

Nick Theodore, SC Lt. Governor 1987-1995

In 1962, Nick Theodore became the first Greek American to be elected to the South Carolina State Legislature. His election marked the first member of a Greek community to hold elected office in the Legislature. He was a member of both the South Carolina Senate and the South Carolina House of Representatives for 20 years. Mr. Theodore was elected Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 1986 and held that office for 8 years, from January 14, 1987–January 11, 1995. During the eight-year administration of Campbell/Theodore, the economic growth of SC commenced with the acquisition of BMW which they persuaded to locate in the Greenville/Spartanburg area along with multiple other companies who would supply the needs of BMW in our state. Nick Theodore also served as District Governor and Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles, a young men’s AHEPA organization affiliated with the Greek Orthodox community.

SC Representative James George (Jimmy) Mattos

James George (Jimmy) Mattos was elected to the SC House of Representatives and served from 1985-1993. He was also a teacher and coach at Berea High School who won the South Carolina Teacher of the Year in 1978. He was a track star at Greenville High School for 4 years. Jimmy was a dedicated public school teacher who excelled principally in General Studies.

Fanya C. Paouris was named Greenville County Teacher of the Year 1983-84, only to learn shortly thereafter that she would be named the 1984 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. She taught Life Science and Biology at League Middle School, where she was highly praised by her students and their parents for making science interesting and engaging.

Lynda Leventis-Wells was elected to the Greenville County School Board of Trustees representing District 22 in 2006. She has been re-elected multiple times, serving as a trustee for over 19 years and counting, a testament to her achievements in public service. She received the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto in 2012 recognizing her many achievements.

Our forefathers were industrious, creative, hardworking, and productive citizens that immersed themselves into the Greenville community by becoming members of many philanthropic organizations such as the Masonic Order, Moose Lodge, the Jaycees, and the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows). These organizations helped the Greek community become a part of the local Greenville community. In 1929, the Greenville chapter of AHEPA (American-Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) was established giving Greek men, women, boys, and girls an organization of their own to belong to and enjoy. AHEPA and its auxiliary branches helped Greek immigrants assimilate into American life while retaining Greek customs, culture, and heritage.

Eagle Bus Lines, owned and operated by Henry Theodore.

The first Peoples Bakery location on Pendleton Street. Peoples Bakery was founded by George Paouris on Pendleton Street and later moved to a newly constructed building on Rutherford Street with a fleet of over 30 delivery vehicles. They delivered bakery goods to a plethora of businesses and individuals in the Upstate.