Located directly across the Reedy River from downtown Greenville, West End is the original home to Furman University in 1852 where it stayed and grew until 1958. This, along with being the arrival destination of the first train on the Greenville Columbia Railway in 1853 provided the catalyst that created commercial and residential growth in the West End area. West End was once dominated by textile mills, warehouses and factories and is now known for the local arts, theatres, as well as unique restaurants and boutiques.