Potato House

Front: The Simpsonville Potato House was built in 1944 for area farmers to store and cure sweet potatoes. In the early 20th century, sweet potatoes became a valuable cash crop for S.C. farmers reducing their dependence on cotton. Potato houses made commercial production of the crop more viable by reducing the likelihood of disease compared to other forms of storage. The house here was built by the Simpsonville School District at the urging of the local chamber of commerce. Reverse: For years, local farmers could pay a fee to place their potatoes here after the fall harvest. The potato house could hold up to 4,000 bushels at a time. Moisture and temperature levels were regulated through features like an electric thermostat, vents in the floor and roof, and insulated walls. Crops would first be cured at approx. 85° F and then stored near 55° F. School personnel maintained the potato house and used it for vocational instruction the rest of the year.