Linthead: Growing Up in a Carolina Cotton Mill Village

by Wilt Browning

It was never a term of endearment --linthead-- but some people whose lives were formed in the cotton mill villages of the South wore it as a badge of honor. One is Wilt Browning, part of the last generation to be born and raised on the mill hill.

This book is a look at mill hill life from the 1940s through the early 50s, when the mills began selling off company houses and life on the mill hills began changing rapidly. Linthead is a revisiting of the life that thousands of Carolinians and other Southerners once lived, a life that exists now only in memories. Browning brings those memories to life.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

178 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Wendy Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic and at times, sweetly melancholy, this little memoir of a seemingly small town boy who grew up in the mid1900s mill town in Easley, SC, would be thought by some to be unimportant. I think quite the opposite. The author lived in a time of American simplicity that was on the cusp of great change. His stories are rife with gentle humor and great, heart-rending tragedy. I loved this little book, and now I drive by the Easley mill house area with much more appreciation, understanding, and a little borrowed wistfulness.
And I am honored to live next door to the author’s niece, who was kind enough to lend me, not only her uncle’s books, but invite me into her family’s story. I think that is what is most treasured: to be welcomed into someone’s story.
I guess I need to give the memories back to their owner. I wish I could find my own copy of this little piece of local history.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great anecdotal read that let me see what life was like for my aunt growing up in the Cotton Mills. My grandmother worked in Arcadia Mill and my great Aunt and great Uncle worked at Converse Mill. Uncle Frank was actually a coach for the Converse baseball team. This gave you the feel of mill life outside of work, but not many details about the work. I wish it had been a bit more specific because I wanted to know in more detail what it would have been like. The author never said it would be specific. He said in the beginning that it was a child's view of life there with warm memories, and that's exactly how it read. It lacked the adult perspective I believe. I need to find another one to add to this.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in an Easley SC mill village is a way of life few know about, but Mr. Browning's recollections in this book bring you back to a time in history that is being quickly erased by progress.

Well done Mr. Browning and thank you for bringing back memories of my hometown.

[Lisa Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story filled with well-described particulars of mill life. The method of storytelling reminded me of "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash". Enjoyable read.

[Karolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think Easley has changed much