The Republic Cotton Mills Bank and Store Building in Great Falls, South Carolina, is a significant historical landmark reflecting the town’s early 20th-century industrial heritage.

Constructed around 1917, this two-story brick building was the first architecturally designed public structure in Great Falls. Designed by renowned architect Joseph Emory Sirrine in the Renaissance Revival style, it was built for the Republic Cotton Mills at a cost of $35,000.

The building served multiple purposes:

• Banking Services: Providing financial services to mill workers and the community.

• Retail Spaces: Housing various shops, including grocery, drug, dry goods, millinery, and even a coffin department.
• Professional Offices: The upper floor contained offices for doctors, lawyers, dentists, and also served as a public library.

The building remained in use until 1990, after which it was vacated

The building’s design includes:

• Sandstone-colored Brick: Giving it a distinguished appearance.
• Rusticated First Level: Adding texture and depth to the façade.
• Segmental Arched Windows: Three large commercial windows with tripartite divisions.
• Limestone-surrounded Entryways: Two double-leaf doors with denticulated shelf-architraves.
• Brick and Terra Cotta Cornice: Separating the first and second levels.
•  One-over-one Light, Double-hung Sash Windows: Eleven windows lining the second floor.

The Republic Cotton Mills Bank and Store Building was central to the daily lives of Great Falls residents, especially those employed by the textile mills. It provided essential services and goods, contributing to the town’s economic and social development. The building is part of the Great Falls Downtown Historic District, which encompasses 14 contributing buildings constructed between 1910 and 1930

As of recent reports, the Town of Great Falls is undertaking efforts to revitalize the area, including plans to transform the former company store into a Visitor’s Center. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to stimulate the local economy and preserve the town’s historical assets.