The Origin of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce

In reviewing the archives of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce it was determined that the chamber actually began as the Easley Business League on May 21, 1935. Mr. E. L. Bolt was elected as the first President of the league with George Hamilton as Vice President and Ben Day as the secretary/treasurer. The first roster of members had 53 men who were the “Who’s who” in businessmen in Easley in 1935.

Many men were instrumental in the organization of this early business associate. Among those men were Ben Martin, R. A. Lynch, J. A. Roper, Ed McCravey, W. A. Robinson, Dr. Rogers, Dr. Frierson, Charles King, Harold Armistead, Sam Nalley, S. M. Cassels, W. C. Crane, J. D. Wyatt, and Mayor Johnson.

One of the earliest actions was a petition to Congressman Taylor for federal funds to build a post office in Easley.

At that first meeting Mr. McCravey challenged the people of Easley “to fight for the business that was now being given to Greenville and the surrounding cities.” Not much has changed in that challenge since 1935.