The importance of the Jewish community in Rock Hill dates back to shortly after the first train stopped at the settlement’s new depot in 1852. The first of the Friedheim brothers, Arnold, settled in the small town in 1866,founding a department store that would operate for close to 100 years at 113‐115 East Main Street. Arnold’s success in the small town encouraged brothers August, Julius, Samuel, and Harry to join him. The Friedheims were instrumental in the founding of many local businesses other than retail, serving on the Board of Directors for the city’s Electric Plant, Manchester Mill, Standard Cotton Mill, Rock Hill Real Estate and Loan Company, Globe Mill, and Rock Hill Buggy Company which later became the Anderson Motor Company.
