Beatrice Hill is one of the compilers of Hub City's award-winning South of Main book about urban renewal on Spartanburg's southside. Born in Tobe Hartwell Apartments, she has had a lifelong interest in the history of her neighborhood. On the heels of the success of her book, she became a board member at the Spartanburg County Historical Association.

She attended school at Carrier Street Elementary, Highland Elementary, and Mary H. Wright, and graduated from Carver High School. She worked at Spartanburg Regional, Hoechst Fibers and Michelin Tire before retiring to become a substitute elementary and middle school teacher in District 7. In 1979 she coordinated the first Tobe Hartwell neighborhood reunion, which drew 300 people to her backyard. In preparation for a subsequent neighborhood reunion in 1999, she put together a committee of eight people and worked on a booklet with pictures from the early years.