Singleton and Related Genealogy Pages
A history of many families.
1880 - 1967 (86 years)| Name | Hamilton Carr “Hallie” BLAND [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] | |
| Birth | 20 Sep 1880 [8] | |
| Gender | Male | |
| Education | he attended Furman University for two years | |
| HIST | Gave Swan Lake Gardens to the people of Sumter. A charcoal portrait of him is on exhibit in the atrium at Central Carolina Technical College with several other portraits of Sumter’s “unsung heroes” drawn by artist Scotty Peek of Columbia, South Carolina. he developed and gave part of Swan Lake-Iris Gardens to the city (Sumter, South Carolina) Date Published: May 17, 2009 It started with ... Emulate H.C. Bland with your own iris garden Item file photo Japanese or bearded? By AMANDA McNULTY Special to The Item In an age when long-term studies with imported consultants drive the decisions we make for our communities, it is worth remembering the power of serendipity. In the 1920s, H.C. Bland moved from Mayesville into town; bringing with him a love for gardening and fishing. In addition to his house, he bought property with a swampy, shallow pond what was then the edge of town and used the gardening debris from his home landscape to create fish-friendly islands in those waters. A pioneer in many ways, Mr. Bland ordered unusual plants that struck his fancy the old fashioned way - by mail. The testimonials for the beauty of Japanese irises were as irresistible to him as they remain for gardeners today, and he sent off for a start. The rhizomes were planted with care but they failed to live up to their potential, and Mr. Bland threw them out in his fishing hole. Imagine his surprise when the next spring he saw those graceful blossoms he had dreamed of blooming in his swampy trash heap. Japanese irises were a new phenomenon when Mr. Bland sent off for them in the 1920s, but German (or bearded) irises were already a staple of Southern gardens. Bearded irises were perfect plants for those days when irrigation was a person holding a hose, as those plants prefer a well-drained, slightly dry soil and a relatively neutral pH. No doubt, Mr. Bland thought that an iris was an iris was an iris and expected his mail-order brides to enjoy the same treatment as their sisters. Photo provided H.C. Bland, shown here among his Japanese irises, is responsible for their proliferation along the banks at Swan Lake-Iris Gardens. Although both Japanese and German irises arise from storage roots or rhizomes, their needs are very different. Japanese irises like wet toes, dry ankles and an organic soil that's on the acid side. Sounds like a rice paddy, doesn't it? The edges of our black-water lakes at the Swan Lake-Iris Gardens provide the perfect habitat with the irises planted on the edges of the waters with their crowns in moist, rich soil and their roots able to expand into the water. When winter comes, the dormant rhizomes sit "high and dry," so to speak, avoiding the rot that might occur if they were planted directly in the water. The wonderful news about Japanese irises is that they are adaptable to regular gardens, just like the original spot Mr. Bland chose for his, if you give them a little extra attention. The first step is to choose an area that gets lots of sun and take a soil sample. You can find the directions for this if you search "hgic Clemson soil test." I know, I know, you think we Extension agents have a string in the back of our neck that gets pulled so we say, "soil test, soil test," but if you have a bed that has been growing vegetables or roses you may have limed and the pH will be too high for the irises to grow well. It only costs $6, and our elevators in the Sumter Skyscraper are in fine working order so you can get to our office easily. Call us at 773-5561 for more information. The next step is to amend the soil with compost. Several of the Sumter Master Gardeners have recommended a locally made (from Blackville as opposed to Florida) product, Humble Acres Organics/ Bloomin EZ Organic Compost, which you can find in some Sumter garden centers. This is the gold standard of compost — made by a very careful process that results in a finely decomposed amendment without the high metal content that exists in some other blends. By incorporating compost into your planting bed, you increase the soil's ability to hold water - an important characteristic for those water-loving Japanese irises. If you prepare your soil well, you should be able to grow these beautiful plants with about an inch of water each week, maybe a little more in the hottest part of summer. A slow-release fertilizer (expensive but really necessary for these heavy-feeding plants) will keep your irises growing vigorously all summer long until they start winding down in the fall. Item file photo Japanese irises and graceful swans are the main attractions during Sumter's Iris Festival, which begins Thursday with "A Taste at the Gardens." Sumter County Master Gardeners have a long association with the city of Sumter which owns and maintains Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, and the Master Gardeners grow irises that originally came from divisions from the gardens. During the upcoming Iris Festival (held at Swan Lake on May 22, 23, and 24) they will sell potted iris at their booth on the Bland (north) side of the Gardens. They'll answer all your questions about how to make a mini Swan Lake in your own home garden. Master Gardeners who are trained as docents for the Gardens will also take visitors on tours, telling them about the plants and animals that live in our beautiful, inner city slice of heaven. Stop by and see us while you enjoy all the events at the Gardens, which thanks to the generosity and Mr. H.C. Bland, his friend, Mr. A.T. Heath, and now the city of Sumter, are open to visitors without charge. Who was The Man Behind Swan Lake? Annie Rivers, executive director and curator of the Sumter County Museum, works on completing the new exhibition "H.C. Bland: The Man Behind Swan Lake." The exhibition opens Thursday in the Williams-Brice House museum at 122 N. Washington St. IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM Posted: Saturday, September 6, 2014 6:00 am BY IVY MOORE IVY@THEITEM.COM THE SUMTER COUNTY MUSEUM WHERE: 122 N. Washington St. CONTACT: (803) 775-0908 HOURS: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday COST: $3/adults, $1/6 to 17 H.C. Bland, the man who accidentally started the extensive Japanese iris garden we now know as Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, is the subject of the Sumter County Museum's latest exhibition, opening Thursday. The exhibit titled "H.C. Bland: The Man Behind Swan Lake" traces the history of the gardens from Bland's first acquisition and unsuccessful planting of Japanese irises to their serendipitous proliferation that led to the establishment of the site. Annie Rivers, the museum's executive director and curator, said the exhibit features many vintage photographs, Bland's actual awards and honors, including the key to the City of Sumter, other memorabilia and a biography of Bland. In addition to learning about his contributions, the exhibit will explore his lasting impact on Sumter. For example, Bland's importation of a mute swan and an Australian swan influenced the city to eventually obtain all eight species of swan. Information on the almost 75-year-old Sumter Iris Festival, with fascinating photos, some by photography hobbyist Bland himself, is a significant part of the exhibit. H.C. Bland: The Man Behind Swan Lake is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, South Carolina Master Gardeners and the Friends of Swan Lake, as well as Betsy Acken, daughter of the late Mary Cuttino Snyder, who wrote "Swan Lake Gardens and Mr. Bland." The Friends were instrumental in the commission of artist Grainger McKoy to create a large sculpture for the gardens, and McKoy's original maquette for Recovery, a many times larger-than-life wing of a pintail duck, leads into the exhibit. The sculpture now stands in the Heath Gardens of Swan Lake beside the water. Visitors to the exhibit will learn about Bland's family, his early automobile business and his civic involvement, and they will be able to trace the growth of the gardens. On the same floor as the Bland exhibit is the permanent Carolina Coca-Cola Co. exhibit, which features information on A.T. Heath, who donated the north gardens of Swan Lake, which has thrived through the years. "We'll have the entire museum open for viewing," Rivers said, "and the Bland exhibit will be open through May, so it will be here during the Iris Festival." Many early citizens aided in Sumter's development Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2014 6:00 am BY SAMMY WAY ITEM ARCHIVIST The term "Founding Fathers" identifies those connected with the establishment of an institution, company or community. Sumter is blessed with a number of individuals who possessed skills and assets they used to promote the growth of the common cultural and historical heritage of our city and county. This Reflections article and that of Nov. 23 will highlight the contributions made to the Sumter community by some of its most outstanding citizens and those who advocated its advancement and growth. Only a brief synopsis of each individual's achievements is given, as there is a large number of people who made significant contributions to the community. Antonia Gibson - She was born in Charleston on Sept. 22, 1875, and moved to Sumter when she was 12. A graduate of the Sumter Institute, she later entered Sumter Hospital Training, receiving her degree in 1902. She became a nurse in 1906 and later served as a city health nurse. Hamilton Carr Bland - He supervised the development of the world famous Iris Gardens at Swan Lake. His efforts made the gardens nationally known; they are frequented by thousands of visitors each year. Bland came to sell autos in Sumter in 1917 at the Hudson-Essex franchise after moving from his home in Mayesville. He became an authorized Ford dealer in 1922 and turned his attention to expanding his hobby of gardening through which he succeeded in making Swan Lake one of the most beautiful garden spots in South Carolina. Fulton Bethune Creech - He came to Sumter in 1909 with the Trexler Lumber Company of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He formed the Imperial Lumber Company, which operated under his name until 1921 when he formed the Creech Lumber Company. Creech was awarded the order of the Palmetto by Governor "Dick" Riley. He assumed a leading role in the Sumter community, serving on city council, as mayor from 1932 to 1944 and participating in a number of civic and fraternal clubs. He played an important role in helping "Sumter (get) selected as the site for Shaw Air Force Base. John J. Riley - Riley served two terms as a United States congressman in 1945 through 1948. He was a veteran of World War I and served as post and district commander of the American Legion. He operated a successful insurance and real estate business and was always active in Sumter's civic affairs. He served as coach of the Sumter Legion Juniors, winning countless games and a state championship. The local baseball stadium is named Riley Park in his honor. A.T. Heath Sr. -Heath was born in Roswell, Georgia, in 1881. He attended Georgia Tech and became involved in the Coca-Cola Company in 1913. He moved to Sumter in 1918 after purchasing the Sumter Coca-Cola Bottling Company from Ed Cole. In 1920 the name of the company was changed to the Carolina Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Heath rapidly expanded the business, acquiring franchises in other sections of the state. Heath was "active and generous in community activities and was a prime mover in every project for the betterment of the community. "Probably the greatest monument to the memory of Mr. Heath is the Heath Gardens. This property, located across the highway from Swan Lake Gardens, was later given to the city." C.G. Rowland - Born in Henderson, North Carolina, on Aug. 19, 1862, Rowland came to Sumter in 1887 as a station agent and telegrapher for the Atlantic Coast Line at Mayesville. He organized the Farmers Bank and Trust Company in 1902 and later changed its name to the National Bank of South Carolina where he remained as president until 1944. He was a great believer in the Sumter community in which he became an extensive land owner and businessman. Under the new plan of government, he was one of the original three council members. He also served as the chairman of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners. Edwin B. Boyle - Boyle became president of Boyle Road and Bridge Company, vice president of Boyle Motor Company and director of the National Bank of South Carolina. In addition to his involvement in a number of other business interests, he served on City Council and as a colonel on Gov. Olin D. Johnson's staff; he was one of the organizers and first president of the Boyle Bible Class of Trinity Methodist Church. He also served on a number of community civic and fraternal organizations. O. L. Williams (1865-1952) - Born at Fork, North Carolina, he attended the University of North Carolina and began his business career in a plug tobacco factory. He later switched to the furniture industry and started a veneer plant. In 1919 he organized the Camden Veneer Company of Camden and in 1920 founded the O.L. Williams Veneer Company at Sumter. The Williams Corporation became a leader in the furniture business, and he served in a number of civic and business organizations including 50 years as a Mason. He also served as director of the National Bank of South Carolina. Chester F. Korn (1871-1954) - Korn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio; arriving in Sumter in 1920, he established the Sumter Hardwood Company and in 1929 the Sumter Cabinet Company. He began his business career as president of the Winton Savings Bank and treasurer of the Businessmen's Club of Cincinnati. He started his lumber business in Ohio prior to moving this concern to Sumter. He served as a Mason for 60 years and was a generous contributor to local civic and church projects. Dr. C. W. Birnie - Charles Wainwright Birnie, was born in Charleston on May 15, 1874, and served as a respected physician in Sumter for 40 years. His father was a successful businessman who was able to provide an education for his family. Birnie came to Sumter in 1898 after receiving his degree in medicine and became the first black physician in Sumter County. He and his wife operated a drug store, the People's Pharmacy, located on West Liberty Street until he died. He helped many black medical students gain experience and researched black history before Reconstruction, publishing valuable articles on the subject. He was very interested in improving school facilities for blacks. The Birnie Community Center and Birnie Apartments were named in his honor. Reach Item Archivist Sammy Way at waysammy@yahoo.com or (803) 774-1294. [2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9] | |
| Occupation | repaired clocks and watches, sold Delco Lights; sold Ford cars (Ford automobile dealer in Sumter) [8, 10] | |
| _UID | 9B5432B6B7154AA38A3B5450176680F9EFAC | |
| Death | 1967 [8] | |
| Person ID | I99835 | Singleton and Related Families |
| Last Modified | 28 Nov 2014 | |
| Father | Captain James F. BLAND | |
| Mother | Mary JOHNSON | |
| _UID | 348B8DE8806045FE843BDA63D0F7E7060764 | |
| _UID | 348B8DE8806045FE843BDA63D0F7E7060764 | |
| Family ID | F69142 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family | Coralie HOLLY | |||||
| _UID | 47841C8C5FE24F5994AB2BE31EEB591E29F8 | |||||
| _UID | 47841C8C5FE24F5994AB2BE31EEB591E29F8 | |||||
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| Family ID | F69143 | Group Sheet | Family Chart | ||||
| Last Modified | 23 Mar 2026 | |||||
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