On Tuesday, May 26, 1942, twenty-five business and professional men met at the South Side Furniture Co. on South Mecklenburg Avenue and after discussion voted to organize a Chamber of Commerce.

On June 9, 1942, forty-five representatives of local businesses and professional organizations agreed to become members of the South Hill chamber of Commerce.

J. B. Crews, manager of W. S. Peebles & Co. was elected the first president.

Other officers were: Walter Crowder of W. H. Crowder & Sons, Vice-president

M. D. McBride, South Hill Publishing Co., Secretary Howard D. Warren, R. H. Crews & Co., Treasurer

The Board of Directors consisted of: S. P. Anderson, C. V. Montgomery, Jr., Leslie Rutledge, W. E. Jolly, and Meredith C. Dortch.

The Group voted to meet the first Monday of the month for an evening meal with the annual meeting on the first Tuesday of July. The first official meeting in July was held at the Nordan Hotel Restaurant.