No one loved Seventy Six more than Holland Wells; he was executive VP of America's largest department-store chain

Holland Wells on Indian Creek above the falls

Holland K. Wells, raised within sight of Seventy Six Falls, loved the community of Seventy Six more than any man. He was the son of James Thomas (Jim) Wells Sr., and Effie Lowhorn Wells. As a boy Holland played in the waters of Indian Creek and around the falls. He thought there was no greater place in the world than the hills and waters of Seventy Six.

Before he finished high school Holland moved to Louisville and his first job at age 16 was as a window dresser in the F.W. Woolworth store there. Woolworth's had been the pioneer of "five and dime" retailing in America, and was a huge company.

Holland's work ethic was so strong that he didn't dress windows for long. He started to rise up the ladder of the company, becoming an assistant store manager and then a store manager, moving to various places including Detroit, Toledo and Athens, Ohio. The company transferred Holland to various spots around the country that needed attention. Ultimately, he was transferred to the corporate headquarters in New York where he became executive vice president of the company. By 1979 Woolworth's had became the largest department store chain in the world.

As Holland became successful, he acquired most of the land above the falls, which his family still owns. Sadly, his mother was killed in the April 3, 1974 tornado that devastated the falls area.

Holland retired to Kentucky, finally settling in Versailles, where he died in 2022. Of course he was brought back to his beloved Clinton County as his final resting place.