Cadiz CIC entertains pickleball idea

BY KRISTI TULLIS Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

CADIZ—The Cadiz CIC met on February 16 for its monthly meeting. During opening discussions, it was stated there were no new updates to offer on the timeline for the demolition of the old post office. It was noted, however, that James White Construction has cleaned the area that has been used for storage, and the county commissioners have approved the job. Concerning the remaining houses slated for demolition, the next round of bids will open on March 2 at 9:30 a.m. The old ODOT property is presently moving dirt to allow for the insertion of concrete into abandoned coal mine shafts. Once complete, ComptonAddy will close on the property and begin construction. Next up, Woodsfield Bank is purchasing and extending the amount of LED lights that will be supported by aluminum poles.

It was announced that the CIC would meet with OMEGA regarding the Appalachian Community Grant Program with stateprocured planners. Other upcoming meetings will discuss technical assistance grants and project funding allocation that is part of the revitalization plan. This could also possibly allocate money for the old Family Dollar building as well. Further details were discussed on the price of the building and the process to complete the purchase.

Lastly, it was proposed by the Village of Cadiz that basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts be installed for residents and visitors. Since this is in the beginning stages of development, the CIC will request that the village gets estimates for more than one court and then propose the plan with funding expectations to be finalized in agreement with the CIC.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 16 at 6 p.m.

Look At The Past

Dry Ridge School

By Susan Adams

Dry Ridge School, or School No. 5, was located in Freeport Township on County Road 57, Sec 23. Dry Ridge School had four different buildings. The first building was on the Andrew S. Carr farm and was used until 1868. The second little building was situated in the corner of District No. 5 but, because of its location, was unfit for the purpose for which it was built. When it was finished, they thought it must have a name. Some called it Possum Trot, some No. 5, some the Devil’s Half-Acre, but it ended up being named Frog Pond. The location was down in a hollow where there was nothing but a mud-hole. There was no road to the school. Think of a public school with no road to it. Good water was scarce. It was muddy year-round and had a good supply of frogs and wiggle-tails that had taken over the spring. The children suffered from thirst. Some of the neighbors locked their springs against them, and the poor little children had to wander around and get water wherever they could find it. Folks described the location as a place “Where the eye of God had never seen, nor the foot of man ever trod.” Not long after 1880, the building was torn down and moved up on the ridge and became Dry Ridge again. In 1882 a brick building (pictured here, which was a nice building) replaced the frame one. This building is still standing today. One can see it to the right as one starts down Covered Bridge Road off of Dry Ridge Road. Some of the family names were Steadman, Blackwoods, Hughes, Wittington, Alexanders, Lawrence, Toland, McClelland, Mayes, Karr, and Breen. The last teacher was Forest Thaxton in 1932. From the book “Lest We ForgetHarrison County Early Schools,” the picture is from the collection at the Harrison County Historical Society.

backhoe, hi-lift, spring development, septic systems, foundations, and all types of concrete work

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