Colonel Robert Elliott Holcombe founded and became the first Intendant (Mayor) of Easley, originally known as Holcombe Town, in January 1874. Near this site he built a depot and gave it to the railroad. He was the first depot agent and telegraph operator. In 1846 he became the first postmaster in this area; for many years he was a magistrate, a legislator in 1863-64, and a member of the early county commissioners.