Carter County Heritage 2020

Saturday/Sunday, October 25, 2020

Old Shell Creek School painting by the late Jack Wilson, Jr.

Take a glimpse into the rich heritage of Carter County through contributed photographs, timeline and other historical memorabilia.

__ Proud to be a part of __

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Carter County Heritage

1969

Since 1934, Citizens Bank has continued to grow with the community. This year, the bank was able to secure approval for over $173 million in SBA PPP Loans for more than 2,000 small businesses. And, we are looking forward to the future!

Member FDIC

Citizens BANK

------------

citizensbank24.com

--

Support Your Local Retailer!

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 3

Town’s Covered Bridge a vital part of local history

BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com

C

overed bridges – they remind us of a time in America when the pace was a bit slower and things were somewhat more gentle. It was a time when the country was beginning to take shape and grow to what it has become today. They each played a very important part in that growth and each has its own unspoiled place in history and its own special legend.

The historic Elizabethton Covered Bridge has been designated by USA Today in recent years as one of the “10 Great Covered Bridges to Cross in America.”

The wooden covered bridge is an icon, often called “kissing bridges” because of the privacy they afforded. More than 10,000 covered bridges were built in the U.S. by 1885. Over 90 percent of them are now gone, but those that remain are treasured for their rustic charm and historic value.

The Elizabethton Covered Bridge was built in 1882 in an austere style, featuring only two small windows on either side. It was dubbed the “$5 Bridge,” that being the amount that Dr. E.E. Hunter, overseer of the project, had left when all the bills for the materials and construc-

1759

Gov. Alf Taylor is among those standing under the historic old Sycamore tree located at the western end of the historic of Covered Bridge. The Sycamore tree marked the site where the first court was held. Note the horse and buggy below the bridge.

tion were paid.

A committee, composed of J.J. McCorkle, Wiley W. Christian, and H.M. Renfro selected the site for the bridge in 1861. However, the Civil War came, and the project was shelved and not undertaken again until much later.

Legend has it that Miss Fannie Atwater,

1772

1772

daughter of the town’s Presbyterian minister, was the first to cross the bridge when it was completed.

Now, 138 years later, the old bridge is beginning to lean, perhaps from age and wear towards the upstream of the Doe River. Mother Nature could have had a hand in it as well. Earlier this year, the Ten-

1772

nessee Dept. of Transportation approved funds to help with making repairs to the bridge, and helping it stand straight and tall again.

The old bridge went through a major renovation in 2012 with new steel plates installed in the floor, damaged boards replaced in the wooden floor, and a new

1775

1776

PAGE 4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 pedestrian walkway rail installed inside the bridge and at each entrance.

The historic covered bridge is a focal point in the town and a well-visited landmark.

Structurally, the bridge contains one span, a covered wooden Howe truss that is 137 feet long. The total length is 154.3 feet. The substructure is masonry stone and concrete. Each end of the bridge features a projected truncated gabled roofline.

The bridge was well constructed and was the only bridge in the county that stood during the May Flood of 1901, when the people on the Old Town side of the river had to flee for safety to higher ground before the wall of water swept down Main Street.

In January 1998, the historic old bridge was threatened by floodwaters and disaster when a school bus was swept down the river and could have taken the bridge out. However, the piers of a bridge upstreams held the bus back, thus saving the bridge.

The bridge, during its 100-plus years, could tell many amusing and historical tales if it could talk. Among those stories might be that of the peddler in his horse-drawn carriage ago, the doctor crossing the bridge on horseback on a dark night, the bootlegger peddling his whiskey in the dark of the night, sweethearts kissing and carving their initials on its floor, baptizing in the chilly Doe, and boys fishing beneath it.

For a number of years the Covered Bridge and the footbridge over the Doe at Elk Avenue were the only two crossings on the river. The footbridge was but a narrow floor with a handrail and crisscrossed sides for protection. That bridge was torn away and now standing in its place is the Elk Avenue Bridge.

The Covered Bridge is a town landmark and a very popular tourist attraction. On any given day it provides a beautiful picture worth photographing or painting. Certainly worth remembering.

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Elizabethton’s Historic Covered Bridge is due some structural work this year as funds have been approved by the Tenn. Dept. of Transportation and the City of Elizabethton to fix a leaning problem with the bridge.

The historic Covered Bridge in Elizabethton with a beautiful blanket of snow.

1779

1780

1796

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 5

Historical Markers Marker Text: Born in this house, Aug 6, 1848, he was representative in Congress in 1870< and again for three terms in 1889.

He had campaigned unsuccessfully against his brother in the gubernatorial race called “The War of the Roses”. In 1886. He was elected governor in 1920, He died Nov, 24, 1931, and is buried in Johnson City.

1799

1819

1856

Marker Text: About .1 mile S.W. at the home of the daughter, Mary Johnson Stover, Andrew JOhnson died in 1875.

He had been a senator from Tennessee: governor of Tennessee; military governor under Federal occupation, vice president of the United States and 17th President succeeding Abraham Lincoln.

1861

1861

1861

PAGE 6 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

The old North American Rayon Corporation locomotive, a East Tennessee and Western North Carolina boxcar, and a Southern caboose is a stark reminder of part of long ago when railroad transportation was an important part of Carter County history.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

A Southern caboose sits as part of a three-car railroad display at the current Carter County Chamber of Commerce office on Highway 19-E.

A forgotten past...

Railroads and trains played an important part in Carter County’s history

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR STAFF ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

have been the same without the early days of the railroads that operated throughout the county.

Three trains that made a huge impact within the county included the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina or many that have the century mark in their lives, the sound of train whistles and the rattle of (known as the Tweetsie) that ran between 1881 and 1951, the Southern Railroad (1911-1940), and the North Amerirails shifting under the weight of a long line of can Rayon Steam Engine that ran from (1936-1992). cars passing over them was something that was It is hard to find evidence of these rail systems in the taken for granted especially in the new age of transportation. county now aside from the display that is set up at the curHowever, Carter County as everyone knows it wouldn’t

F

1866

1866

1875

1876

rent Carter County Chamber of Commerce just off Highway 19-E and the train that is used for by Doe River Gorge ministries in Hampton.

Miles and miles of steel rails and thousands upon thousands of railroad crossties have been removed along millions of iron spikes that held the rails in place and kept the trains safe that passed over them have been plucked up by modern machines unlike when these same components of the railroad were put in place by the hands of many a

1880

1882

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 7

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

A historical marker lets everyone know the importance of trains in Carter County.The marker is located at the NARC locomotive display.

railroad worker.

In their place is pavement over which tractor-trailers are now the workhorse of transportation and some have even been replaced by recreation trails such as the Tweetsie Trail.

Along these former railroads, depots were in place where visitors would step off coming into the area to spend time on business or visit family and friends such as the Roan Mountain Depot which sit along the ET&WNC “Tweetsie” railroad.

Back in the days of the Cloudland Hotel, the hotel would run advertisements that claimed that a railroad trip to Roan Moun-

1884

tain was ‘beautiful beyond description, and far finer than anything else in the whole history of railroad engineering” according to a book entitled Carter County History.

The history also shows that General John T. Wilder was instrumental in the development of the railroad throughout the region.

One of the biggest industries that relied on railroad transportation was the logging industry as Carter County was full of prime timber needed to build cities and towns throughout the country.

The railroad was built crosstie by crosstie to connect the timber sources with the lumber companies where the timber would be

1892

1893

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

On wheels of steel and miles and miles of track, the railroad was an important part of Carter County’s heritage and early survival.

milled for further use.

While the “Tweetsie Railroad” is most notable for the community, the Southern Railroad was another key railroad in the county.

The Southern Railroad at Hunter was built between 1899 and 1904 and was used for hauling iron ore, lumber, tanbark, utility poles, and extract wood, as well as passengers according to the book Carter County History.

Southern Railroad Company bought the line in 1911 and in 1932 the line was abandoned and the tracks were removed.

The green NARC locomotive on display

1896

at the Chamber of Commerce was used by the North American Rayon Corporation for many years and was commonly referred to as “The Pot”.

Once painted red, white, and blue the locomotive was stripped and painted green when it was relocated to its current display.

Without the rail system in Carter County, a large portion of history would have to be rewritten but thanks to the three lines of rail transportation that existed, a tremendous role in bringing Carter County to where it is today was recognized.

1897

1902

PAGE 8 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Road.

Branch Powder n o y on rm r a r mp’s F p and Je 1951 Sle liver Slem

ther O

die, fa mule Roa ir e th n o ht: Marti left to rig Pictured se. thier hou Old Mac

In 1983, three Ca rter Cou one time nty was Princ ipals in th ladies that were te are left to e Carter achers an right: Mrs Co d at . Winnie S Nellie Su lemp, Mrs unty Schools. Pic llivan tured . Beulah R ainbolt an d Mrs.

Submitted by/ Marte Tuelle

1940 3 generations in Johnson County Pictured are left to right: Oscar Wilson (1917-2009), Grandfather Zedrick Wilson ( Born in mid 1860’s) and father John L. Wilson ( 1886-1981).

William Waddell

William Waddell CONTRIBUTED BY KITTY FLEMING

I

n 1945, William S. Waddell was President, Publisher, and part owner of The Elizabethton Star.

Mr. Evans of the Nashville Tennessean newspaper was his business partner.

In 1950, Democrat Gordon Browning asked Mr. Waddell to support him for governor.

Mr. Waddell said that he would support him if Browning would promise to build a road to the top of Roan Mountain. Governor Browning kept his word and the road was built. Look at what Roan Mountain has become, an attraction with beautiful rhododendron gardens and festival which brings tourists nationwide.

Prior to moving to Elizabethton, Bill Waddell was Advertising Manager of The Kingsport Times and became great friends with Jimmy Quillen. Waddell formed a community club and he and four merchants were instrumental in start-

ing the Christmas Parade and Train. The Christmas Parade debuted in Elizabethton with a beautiful float. Santa wore a beautiful velvet suit and the parade was led by several bands. People aboard the Christmas Train distributed Christmas toys and Christmas candy to all the children from Appalachia and West Virginia to Kingsport. Many of the children had never seen Christmas toys and Christmas candy.

The Christmas Train still runs today. He was also an advocate for the impoverished in that he and Pat Kane managed to get the residents of the “Poor Farm” relocated from a place which had no heat or toilets to facilities with better living conditions.

My father sold The Elizabethton Star and moved our family to Florida. My husband and I bought Hunter Cottage on the Doe River. Elizabethton is still an outstanding community both historically and socially. It has the stability and charm many people seek.

PAGE 10 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

127 Years and Counting: Allen, Nelson & Bowers

BY BRITTNEE NAVE STAR CORRESPONDENT

F

or over a century...127 years to be exact...The law office of Allen, Nelson, and Bowers has served citizens of Carter County.

The law office was opened on Oct. 10, 1893, by William R. Allen.

“We are believed to be the oldest law firm in Tennessee that has remained in continuous operation,” said John Bowers III, current partner at the firm. “We’ve been here in three different centuries.”

When Allen opened the firm, he had already purchased some tiger oak bookshelves created in June 1893. These shelves have survived a fire and remain in the ownership of the firm to this day.

“They’re priceless,” said John.

Allen still has living relatives in Carter County, including retired Judge Lynn Brown.

George Brown, founder of Brown’s Supermarket in Hampton was Allen’s son-in-law. Allen’s son, Ben is also famously known as “Judge Ben.” Ben was instrumental in bringing Sycamore Shoals State Park to the area.

“That’s some of the heritage that still exists to this day; the Allen family is still renowned and highly thought of in Carter County,” said John.

In the late 1920s, Roy Clayton Nelson joined the firm.

“He was quite the character,” said John.

1905

Brittnee Nave/Star Photo

Greg Bowers (left) and John Bowers III (right) pose in front of the firm’s bookshelves created in June 1893.

“Roy was beloved.”

In addition to his work at the firm, Nelson was a radio personality broadcasted out of Bristol. His show was called the “Down Home Country Hour.” Nelson was the first person to have a live performance by Tennessee Ernest

1907

1910

Ford.

In the courtroom, Nelson was known for having a red bandana in his hip pocket.

In the days before AC at the courthouse, in the heat of addressing the jury with sweat pouring, he would wipe his brow with this

1912

bandanna.

Nelson worked for the firm until his death in Oct. 1977.

The third person for the law firm’s namesake was John L. Bowers Jr. known to people as “John. L.” He joined the firm Nov. 3, 1951.

1912

1912

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 11

A framed photo hanging in the wall of the firm shows Greg and John with their late father.

Bowers would serve at the firm until his death in 2010, only leaving for a period of a few years (1969-1977) to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Bowers was also a two-time mayor of Carter County.

The two sons, John and Greg, are the current partners running the firm.

“Interestingly, although Greg and I had been around one of the busiest trial lawyers in Elizabethton, if not the busiest, for our whole childhood, there was never any pressure for either of us to become a lawyer,” said John. “Dad did not do that, not ever. I think it’s fair to say we fell in love with the law because we knew how much dad loved it. It was his passion and he was renowned as one of the best trial lawyers this area has ever seen.”

John joined the firm in 1978 and Greg joined in 1987. Both studied at the University of Tennesse Knoxville.

The brothers recalled coming to the courthouse even as children and enjoying the Perry Mason Show.

In 1977, when Bowers decided to come back to the firm, he did so for a powerful reason, his sons. He also turned down an offer for a Federal Judgeship.

Greg (left) and John (right) holding a photo of their father.

PAGE 12 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

A close-up view of the framed photo taken of John Bowers Jr. who worked at the firm from 1951 until his death in 2010.

“He turned it down so he could come here and keep this office open for Greg and me if we wanted it,” said John. “I was in law school and about to graduate.”

The law firm moved buildings in 1993 to where it is currently located. This current location also has historical connections to the community, including businesses like the Sanitary Lunch, Stitch, and Frame, and even serving as a place for moonshine during prohibition.

Current services the law firm offers include estate work, titles, real estate work, doing work for financial institutions (like Northeast Community Credit Union) general corporate services, etc. Greg particularly devotes a tremendous amount of time to Chancery Court.

“We don’t specialize in any specific areas; we concentrate in certain areas,” explained John. “One of the things we enjoy the most about concentrating our practice is that a fair number of our clients are elderly, and we

enjoy serving the older citizens of our community.”

Several of their clients are over 100 years of age, even more, are in their 80s to 90s.

The firm is also not known for soliciting business.

“Word of mouth, community involvement, community awareness, and a love of our community is what brings us our business, and we would have it no other way,” said John.

The love of the law, like a jealous mistress who envelopes your time, has cast her spell on these brothers and past partners of the firm.

John and Greg hope to continue the firm for years to come, whether that be by bringing in a new associate in the future or passing down to their children and grandchildren.

As with the age of their firm and the legacy of passing down through generations, Allen, Nelson, and Bowers aim to continue to serve as an integral part of Carter County history.

Contributed content

The law license of W.R. Allen, who founded the law firm in 1893.

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 13

84 years of taking care of customers...

Ritchie’s Furniture has been the turnkey furniture store in Carter County

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR STAFF ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

F

or any business to have survived in the same industry for 84 years it takes an equation that has withstood the test of time and Ritchie’s Furniture in downtown Elizabethton found that equation from its inception in 1936.

Putting customers at the forefront and being able to not just sell them the product but provide an outlet to finance their purchase had kept the doors open during that time.

The business is located in downtown Elizabethton at 519 Elk Avenue and offers nationally advertised brands with in-house financing options, delivery, and setup services available.

When one walks into the store, pretty much whatever a home may need can be found inside Ritchie’s storerooms including Kitchen appliances such as ranges, microwaves, refrigerators and freezers along with washers and dryers, televisions, living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture, and heating and cooling appliances.

Shaun Embry who runs the business along with his wife shared a brief history of the business.

“In 1936 Ralph X. Ritchie opened the business and that is my wife’s grandfather,” Embry stated. “He ran the Star Photo/Ivan Sanders business and got into retail by selling books originally Shaun Embry stands in the bedding showroom at Ritchie’s. Embry said the business has thrived over 84 years by taking care and GE Radios. of their customers from start to finish in their furniture and appliance purchasing including financing.

“Eventually he moved into GE appliances and then

1920

1926

1926

1927

1928

1928

PAGE 14 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 home furnishings and then started to finance the home furnishings in house and the business grew from there.

“He ran the business until the 90’s and then her parents have been here since the 70s and they have since retired and me and my wife have taken over.”

Embry was asked why he felt that the business has been able to withstand the good times along with the bad.

“We care about our customers,” Embry said. “We are the bank and the retailer so we care about the product after you leave. It makes a difference.

“We have had to do little advertising to stay in business for 84 years now because when a customer has a problem we go to bat for them.

“We go to the manufacture and take care of it,” he continued. “We don’t just send them a 1-800 number and send them out the door and let them take care of it themselves.”

One of the biggest obstacles that Ritchie’s has ever has had to face came oddly enough in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. It created an unique situation for him and the store which made for a head-scratching situation.

“During the lockdown we were essential because we had appliances,” Embry commented about the beginning of the pandemic.

“We had the worst two months in our business’s history in March and April and weirdly enough had the best two months in June and July which put us in a predicament where we have no merchandise and can’t get it.

“This is kind of like the toilet paper thing on steroids for retailers like us. You just can’t

1929

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

get the product.”

He expanded on the impact that the business is seeing from having to work through COVID-19.

“What use to take a week to get - I have had refrigerators on order for three months and I won’t be getting any anytime soon.

They are saying at least January or February.

What use to take four weeks in the upholstery business, I just got a call saying 24 weeks to get an order if I ordered today,” commented Embry.

“What use to take four days now takes four weeks to get so its a challenge right now. I send 30 customers out the door daily that want the product but I don’t have it.

My hands are kind of tied and that has been frustrating.”

He went on to say that it has thrown a monkey wrench into the whole industry.

The concern is that if the product cannot be brought in house whether the business will be able to continue moving forward.

Right now, the showroom is low on inventory and he is facing a situation such as having a chair with no match or a sofa with no match either. There are multiple orders in house but he doesn’t know when he will be able to fill them.

One thing is for sure and that is Ritchie’s Furniture has survived through many tough times but the current times have brought an uneasiness to him whether the business can make it further.

“We have made it this far but it is probably going into the most scariest time that we have had to face,” Embry said.

1933

1934

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Ritchie’s has been providing Carter County and the surrounding area with the highest quality furniture and appliances since 1936.

Star Photo /Ivan Sanders

Ritchie’s can provide the entire home with furniture and appliances from the bedroom to the living room and beyond.

1936

1940

1945

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 15

The Teaching Lawyer:

How K.P. Banks started a family legacy

BY BRITTNEE NAVE STAR CORRESPONDENT

the foundation of an old tavern from the 1800s.

Like father, like son. ometimes a change of plans Banks’s son, Robert E. was originally a can lead to something great. minister, but also joined the law office in The year was 1938 when late 1947.

Banks and Banks opened.

Banks would practice law at the firm It all began when K.P. Banks, originaluntil 1952 when he was elected superinly a school teacher, had lost an election for the school superintendent position in tendent of Carter County Schools. Banks Carter County. Despite not going to school died in 1955 while still serving in office.

A third generation entered the law for law, Banks had studied and passed the office in 1973 and again in 1987 with Bar Exam, thus making him able to add a lawyer to his academic resume. So, after Banks’s grandsons, John and Thomas.

John was six and a half years old losing the election, Banks took his life in when his grandfather died, but remema new direction. bered some unforgettable qualities about Banks enlisted the help of his brothBanks. ers to build a law firm in downtown “When he was in a group of people, it Elizabethton. This law firm was built on

S

Star Photo/Brittnee Nave

Thomas (left) and John (right) point to a photo of their father and grandfather, along with powerful officials like (the future) President Nixon.

The firm was built in 1938.

1945

1946

1946

PAGE 16 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

John (left) posing with his brother,Thomas (right). John described how his grandfather built more schools in Carter County than many superintendents fixed windows.

didn’t matter if he was speaking or not, if there was something that needed to be decided on, they always listened to him,” said John.

John praised his grandfather, noting that he was very good to his grandchildren, and had a personality he almost kept to himself because it was so powerful and captivating.

Along with his hard work in law, Banks was equally productive as superintendent.

“I had some old folks say he built more schools in Carter County than other superintendents repaired windows,” laughed John.

To name a couple of the schools (not all) he helped build, includes Tiger Creek and Happy Valley Elementary School (he helped this school get its name, too).

Banks played a pivotal role in his grandson, John’s decision to practice law.

“My dad and my grandfather and my Uncle Clyde, who was my dad’s law partner for years, they were my heroes,” said John.

Like his brother, Thomas had a connection in childhood to the firm.

Thomas would work as a clerk in the summer, researching and doing work

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Thomas in the law firm’s library.

around the office.

John went on to study at Milligan University as an undergraduate and the University of Tennessee for law school.

He also had a summer semester at Harvard and other institutions. Thomas also studied at Milligan University as an undergraduate. He went to Harvard for law school.

Thomas said he didn’t think much of becoming a lawyer until college.

He praised the liberal arts Milligan University provides. He explained that these courses, with a focus on reading and critical thinking, are good starting points for anyone wanting to study law.

Likewise, a background in other aspects like a business can be beneficial as well.

The law firm has now included a fourth generation. John’s son-in-law, Jason Light, now practices alongside the brothers. Thomas said the law office plans on sticking around in the community.

The law office does not do criminal court or divorce work. Services center around bankruptcy, will and estates, real estate practices, litigation, social security and disability claims.

Both their father and grandfather were practicing in the firm.

“In a small practice like this, you get to see a lot of different kinds of people, there’s a log of different issues you can help them with and it’s always different and there’s always something interesting going on,” said Thomas.

For these brothers, Carter County is special...it is their roots.

“We’ve been here forever,” said Thomas. “Some of our ancestors were some of the first settlers here that fought at King’s Mountain. We’ve got pretty strong ties to the community, so this is home.”

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 17

Betsy Flashers Submitted by Jim Keller

PAGE 18 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Submitted by Eva Brumit

Submitted by Eva Brumit

Brumit Service Station in the 1920 - 1930’s was located on the corner of Elk Avenue and Sycamore Street.

Anna Mae (Crow) Brumit daughter of OC and Bessie Crow is pictured on her 16th birthday and wedding day in September 1924 which she married Mack Murray. Anna Mae and Mack’s childrene are James Paul Murray and Ruth Murray. Anna Mae later married David Percy Brumit. Their children are Charles Brumit, Lester Brumit, Ann Brumit Rhea and Susie Jane Brumit Williams.

Submitted by Eva Brumit

David E. Brumit and son owned a general store located at 444 Elk Avenue in Elizabethton. Brumit served Carter County as chairman of the county court, justice of the peace for 12 years and was election commissioner. In June 1911 he served as the chairman for the Elizabethton Board of Education.

Submitted by Eva Brumit

Children of David E. and Tulvea Francisca Brumit Front row left to right: Jake, Dan and Charles H. Back row left to right: Martin, Bob (Robert) and Thomas

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

I

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 19

Oak Street Baptist Church History

n May 1932, a group headed by the late B.F. Siler of the First Baptist Church organized a mission Sunday School conducting its services in the waiting room of the ET & WNC Railroad Depot on the corner of Johnson Avenue and State Line Road. The first organizational meeting was attended by twenty to thirty-five people on the first Sunday of May. At that time Mr. Siler suggested that the organization be formed under the name of South Side Mission of the First Baptist Church. From this small beginning interest grew and the number of attendance increased until about March 1934 when these quarters became too small to accommodate the crowd. Mr. Siler then secured the use of the old Bottling Works building. This building was occupied by the mission for about two years before the mission moved to a store building also on State Line Road. This building was not adequate, but through the generosity of people in the community who loaned rooms in their homes for classrooms, effective and lasting work was carried on.

On March 16, 1937, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Arney deeded to the First Baptist Church an adequate lot on the corner of Oak Street and State Line Road for a church. Funds were secured to start a building program and it was pushed to rapid completion. A white-framed sanctuary was constructed. Ninety percent of the funds secured for the church came from members of the mission and citizens of South Side.

The First Baptist Church elected deacons Glen Gentry, R.C. Jordan and Frank Isaacs as deacons of the First Baptist Church to handle the affairs of South Side Mission.

Following this action, the Mission requested the First Baptist Church to organize them into an independent and separate church.

A meeting for this purpose was called on February 2, 1938 and South Side Baptist Church was organized.

On January 1, 1939, South Side Church was clear of debt but valuable and needed

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Oak Street Baptist Church.

improvements were added which caused a debt of approximately $1,000.00. The improvements consisted of new seats, new pulpit, a baptistry, choir loft, floors finished and Sunday School rooms finished. The South Side Baptist Church had a budget of $2,000.00 in 1939.

In 1943, under the leadership of Rev. C.S. Smith, the building was brick veneered and other improvements were made. The Rev. James A. Clark came to the church in the spring of 1944. During his pastorate a pastorium was paid for and other property acquired. The church building was dedicated debt free in 1945. In February 1947, the church adopted the name of Oak Street Baptist Church.

Rev. C.W. Jones began his ministry at Oak Street Baptist Church on January 20, 1952, and during his ministry the church began to make definite plans for expanding its educational facilities. Rev. Fred O. Ponton came to Oak Street in October 1955.

Sunday School and Church Training were reorganized into full departmentalized units. Enrollment of Sunday School was 229

and Church Training was 125. Membership of the church was 320. Ground was broken for the new educational building on March 11, 1956. The new educational building was erected at a cost of $28,500 complete with furniture. Oak Street paid off the loan made for the construction of the Christian Activities Center several years early. Shortly after this a new pastorium was built to replace the old one.

On July 25, 1961, Bob M. Polk became pastor and during his ministry he consolidated our loans into one loan at the Home Mission Board. This put the church in a sound financial position, so we could initiate plans to further expansion. He left in March 1964 to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Rev. Gilbert I. Adams became pastor on June 14, 1964 and during his pastorate the church purchased two adjoining lots for building purposes. The City of Elizabethton closed a right-of-way and gave this to the church. Building plans began to be formulated. Rev. Bob M. Polk became our pastor for the second time on July 1, 1967. During

this time a building program was launched in the summer of 1968 and our current sanctuary was completed in June 1969.

Rev. Forest E. Stout became pastor on August 13, 1972. Rev. Edward E. Duncan became our pastor on August 27, 1975. During his ministry the Educational Building was re-roofed and the steeple was installed on the sanctuary. Rev. Jackie L. Carver became our pastor on January 16, 1980. During his ministry Gary Rice was employed as a full-time Music and Youth Minister. We purchased a van in 1981. Our church indebtedness was paid off and the Ward property was purchased and converted into Parking Lot #2. Rev. Bob M. Polk became our pastor for the third time in August 1985. Rev. Robert J. Smith became our pastor June 18, 1988. He came to us from Greenville, Mississippi.

Dr. Larry J. Riddle began his ministry on June 10, 1990. Under his leadership the church computerized all financial, membership and publishing functions. We committed to building a 12,000 square foot building to house seven classrooms, bathrooms with showers, a large kitchen and a gymnasium

PAGE 20 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 that also serve as a large fellowship hall.

In 1991, Christina Bowers was elected as a part-time Youth Director. In June 1992, the church elected Rev. Bruce Hendrich to serve as Minister of Music, Education and Associate Pastor. In 1994, Eddie Pless was elected as a part-time Youth Director.

Rev. Bruce Hendrich was elected as pastor in April 1996. During his tenure various Oak Street members volunteered to participate in medical and evangelistic mission trips to Venezuela and Brazil. Medical clinics have also been conducted at Oak Street to minister to people in the surrounding community. In February of 1998, Rev. Rick Snodgrass was elected as a full-time Minister of Worship and Discipleship. In March 1998, Rev. Mike Wilson was elected as a part-time Minister of Youth. In March of 1999, Mike and the Oak Street youth teamed up with some church adults to transform an unused area of the Christian Activities Center to become a multi-purpose youth room called “The Foundry.” A stage was built, and lights and a sound system were installed. A band was formed to lead youth in contemporary worship. Mike Wilson took Oak Street youth on two mission trips to New York. In February 2001, Jeremy Hazel came to Oak Street as minister of Youth and Discipleship. In June 2003, Oak Street members of all ages went on a mission trip organized by Jeremy to work with believers in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 2003, Oak Street paid off the loan made for the construction of the Christian Activities Center several years early.

In May of 2006, Bill Fancher was elected

1949

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

as part-time Worship Minister and in October was called to full-time status with the additional responsibilities of Discipleship Minister. In July 2006, Mark Skiera was elected as part-time Youth Minister. In September 2006, a children’s AWANA ministry was started under the leadership of Susan Frickel. In February of 2010, Celebrate Recovery, a ministry targeted for the many people in our community who have hurts, habits and hang-ups, began in the Smith house property.

In 2015, Pastor Bruce and his wife Lisa moved to Mead, Colorado to become Church Planters.

Dr. Chris Shumate became our pastor in June 2016. He received his doctorate in December 2017. Mission trips to Colorado were made in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the Shell property was purchased, and land was cleared, the nursery was updated and expanded and a children’s playground was constructed.

Oak Street has been so blessed and looks forward to months and years ahead to see what God has planned for us.

PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED OAK STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

1950

1938 — V.W. Malcom 1938 — Leon M. Hill 1940 — Otto A. Harrison 1941 — J.E. Ledbetter 1943 — C.S. Smith 1944 — James A. Clark 1952 — C.W. Jones 1955 — Fred O. Ponton

1950

Old Sanctuary facing Oak Street

1936 - 1938 Store Building

1950

March 1934-1936 Old Bottling Works Building.

1956

1963

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 21 THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED 1961 — Bob M. Polk AS INTERIM PASTORS 1967 — Bob M. Polk Rev. John L. Shoun 1972 — Forest E. Stout Dr. C.H. Farnsworth 1975 — Edward E. Duncan Rev. O.C. Anderson (3 times) 1980 — Jackie L. Carver Rev. C.W. Jones 1985 — Bob M. Polk Rev. Murray Jackson 1988 — Robert Smith Rev. E.W. Barnes 1990 — Dr. Larry J. Riddle Rev. Grant Jones 1996 — Bruce Hendrich Rev. Garry Edwards 2016 — Dr. Chris Shumate

ET & WNC Railroad Depot where church first met.

1963

1963

1966

PAGE 22 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Late Jack Wilson, Jr. captures history of old Shell Creek School in paintings

BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com

J

These paintings of the old Shell Creek School at Roan Mountain were done by the late Jack Wilson, Jr. Wilson, who attended the school in the late 1930s and 1940s and grew up in the Shell Creek community. He graduated from Cloudland High School in 1948.

Wilson died in March 2018. His son, Michael, submitted the photos.

ack Wilson, Jr., who attended the old Shell Creek School, had some fond memories of the school, which in the early 1970s consolidated with Cloudland Elementary and High Schools.

Wilson’s son, Michael, submitted to us two paintings his father did of the school, which was built to replace an older one-room school. The building of the school began in 1911 and was finished in 1912. It was originally built for grades one through eight, but was expanded in 1928 to go through 12th grade. Students attended this location through the early 1950s, until moving to a newer building about a half mile away.

The building is a two-story wooden building that sits beside of Highway 19E in Roan Mountain in the small community located between the Roan Mountain Village and a stone’s throw from the North Carolina line. Painted white, the old school consisted of three classrooms, and the second floor was used by the Junior Order of Masons. Two outhouses were located behind the building, and there was a well in front of the building.

As was the case with most rural schools, Shell Creek School classrooms contained a bucket with a dipper for drinking.

Both of Wilson’s sons, Michael and Danny, share their father’s love of art, and do paintings.

Their father died in March 2018. Wilson’s widow, Juanita, said her husband did the painting of

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 23 the Shell Creek School in the late 1990s. “He has a number of other paintings of sights and old landmarks in the Roan Mountain area,” she said.

Wilson was raised in the Shell Creek community and attended the Shell Creek School, graduating from Cloudland High in 1948.

Lowell Shell in a brief article in the Carter County History Book noted that in 1916, the Shell Creek community consisted of 11 homes, a two-room schoolhouse, three general stores, one church, and a small green depot, where Tweetsie picked up and dropped off passengers as well as packages and other cargo.

The depot contained the post office, a telegraph office, and a warehouse. A dirt road was located on one side of the depot and the railroad tracks on the other side. The mail arrived in the tiny village once a day, and it wasn’t unusual for the whole community to turn out to greet the train on Saturday and Sunday.

In a STAR article published in August 2006, Beulah Harrison Wiseman, a cousin of

the late Jack Wilson, recalls riding the train to Elizabethton to shop on Saturday. Wiseman, who is still living, said in the article said you could catch the train at 10 a.m., ride it to Elizabethton and do you shopping and return home around 2:30 p.m.

She also has fond memories of her school days. She lived across the road from the old Shell Creek School, which is still standing today, although abandoned. Wiseman shared in the article that she attended elementary school there and then attended Cloudland High School.

“When the weather was bad, my daddy would carry me from the house to the school and set me down inside the school,” she shared in the article.

Wiseman said the three-room school had two to three classes in each room, and the school enrollment was less than 100. Some of the teachers she recalled were Edna Potter, Esther Brinkley, Mary Ward, Newell Shell, Lillian Shell, Nancy Rose Thomas, Anna Orr, Enos Posey, and Mrs. Gladys Forbes.

PAGE 24 SUNDAY, OCTOBER Wiseman shared that the Shell Creek School was like other community schools of that time.

It was heated with a pot-belly stove, had outside toilets, and water came from a well, which was piped to a tank upstairs, and from there to sinks downstairs. The school didn’t have a gymnasium. Basketball was played outside. At recess, the students played baseball, dodgeball, freeze tag, Red Rover, and other games.

25, 2020 For a number of years, Wiseman and several Shell Creek old-timers enjoyed a school reunion in the fellowship hall of the Lower Shell Creek Christian Church.

Wiseman shared, “Shell Creek was such a small and close-knit community that everyone knew each other. Each family shared the other’s grief and happiness and helped each other anyway they could. Evelyn Young was

the postmistress. The Garrison Boys had the Cherokee Grill, and that was where everyone hung out.”

Another gathering place in the community was Hardin Church’s filling station. “That’s where we went to get cokes and ice cream. He was alway good to us,” she said.

According to Wiseman’s account, the post office was closed in 1955, and the railroad de-

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM pot was torn away in the 1930s. However, there are two churches in the community — Upper Shell Creek and Lower Shell Creek Christian Churches.

The community is said to have taken its name from Daniel Shell, who with his wife, Mary, moved to the Roan Mountain area in 1806, and helped establish the Shell Creek community.

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 25

Historical Markers

Marker Text: Here where Stony Creek empties into Watauga River, corn, wheat, wrought iron, etc., were loaded into flatboats for shipment in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Emigrants, with gear and families, also embarked here for westward travel.

The brick house nearby was built by Christian Carriger, son of the original settler, Godfrey, Sr.

Marker Text: Cedar Grove Cemetery was originally established as a “colored cemetery” in the early nineteenth century on a tract of land adjacent to a trail that became known as Gap Creek Road. The remote and rocky terrain often required the use of dynamite to clear the area for burials. Resting today at Cedar Grove are some of Carter County’s early African-American families, war veterans, church leaders, and Carter County’s last known slave, the beloved Josephine “Aunt Jo” Taylor, a slave of Nat Taylor, the father of Alf and Bob Taylor, governors of Tennessee.

Marker Text: This bridge over Doe River was built early in 1882 at a cost to the county of $3000 for the bridge and $300 for the approaches. The site was chosen

by J.J. McCorkle, Wiley Christian and H.M. Rentfro. The committee were Thomas E. Matson, Engineer, W.M. Folsom, J.C. Folsom, J.C. Smith, Dr. James M. Cameron and J.M. Somberly. Dr. E.E. Hunter was contractor and George Linda mood supervisor.

1967

1976

1984

Marker Text: These stones are from the foundation of the academy established Sept. 13, 1806, with Maj. George Duffield, Chairman, Nathaniel Taylor, George Williams, Alexander Doran & John Greer, Trustees. In 1807, Andrew Taylor, Abraham Henry and Reuben Thornton were added.

The first brick building was erected near Doe River about 1809.

1985

1988

2007

PAGE 26 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020

Historical Markers

Marker Text 6.5 miles northwest, at the mouth of Brush Creek, is a mill built by Jeremiah Dungan in 1779, and continuously operated since then. East of it was a stone fort erected by pioneers of the Watauga Settlement.

Marker Text Built about 1818 by Mary (“Polly”) Patton Taylor, widow of Gen. Nathaniel Taylor, of the War of 1812. Both are buried in the cemetery nearby.

Among their great-grandsons were Governors Alfred A. and Robert L. Taylor, of Tennessee, and Nathaniel Harris, of Georgia.

Marker Text: “The Mansion” was built before 1780 by John Carter and his son Landon. John Carter was chairman of the Watauga Association, a court of five men elected by the settlers of the Watauga Count in May 1772, “to govern and direct for the common good of all the people.” Carter County is named for Landon and Elizabethton is named for his wife Elizabeth MacLin. The family cemetery is located to the east of the house.

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

Marker Text: The Tipton family cemetery, it stood near the homesite of Samuel Tipton (1752-1833), Col John Tipton, father of Samuel, deeded it to him in 1784. The house was later the home of a nephew, Isaac P. Tipton, whose father, Isaac, died in 1827. Soldiers of all wars from the Revolution to World War I are buried here.

Marker Text: In this neighborhood, on Sept. 26, 1780, Rev. Samuel Doak conducted religious services for the frontiersmen from Virginia and North Carolina, including the Watauga and other settlements in what is now Tennessee, upon the start of their decisive victory of King’s Mountain on Oct. 7, 1780.

Marker Text: 400 yards northward and 1/2 mile northeast of the mouth of Gap Creek, stood Watauga Fort. Here, July 21, 1776, the settlers under Captain James Robertson repulsed the Cherokees under Old Abraham of Chilhowee, and Lt. John Sevier rescued “Bonny Kate” Sherrell.

WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 PAGE 27

Make life a little easier with

EZ Pay

Yes! I want the convenience of EZ Pay for my Elizabethton Star home delivery subscription. I understand my credit card will automatically be charged a great low rate once a month upon renewal Name_________________________________________________________________________________ Delivery Address _______________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________State ________ Zip____________ Billing address if different from above _____________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________State ________ Zip____________ Daytime phone number ________________________ E-mail address ____________________________ Select One

m Visa

mMasterCard

m Discover

Credit Card # _________________________________________Expiration Date ___________________

EZ Pay is an automatic subscription renewal program

We will automatically charge your monthly subscription to your debit or credit card and withdraw the amount from your checking orsavings account.

Sign up for EZ Pay today It’s our lowest rate and there’s no hassle

Call 542-4151

To set up E-Z Pay by phone, 423-542-4151 and request E-Z Pay.

Elizabethton Star YOUR STORIES · YOUR COMMUNITY · YOUR STAR

Support Your Local Retailer!

THIS IS HOME.

next to the Branson Events Center

Your dedication to seeing this region thrive inspires our dedication to you. It’s an honor and a privilege for us to help you flourish, and we’ll always be here to provide financial and business support through guidance and solutions made simple. Warm people and welcoming businesses like yours have grown our communities into the very places we’re proud to call home.

To learn how we can best serve you call (423) 543-2131 or visit CarterCountyBank.com