….there stood a tiny church that served the then-booming community along the Pocatalico River called Stringtown after the strings of pipe used in gas and oil production. Gas and oil wells, towering derricks and boiler tanks, still dot the countryside, rusting remainders of the fortunes made here in the late nineteenth century.
We have our own old derrick up on the hill standing not far from our house site. Oil and gas production largely moved away as the twentieth century progressed, as did the population. Even by my father’s day, the hotel, stores, post office and gasoline plant in Stringtown were gone, but the farmers like my great-grandfather who’d profited from the mineral rights on their lands still kept the community bustling until the sons and grandsons grew up, went to war, and moved on to the new suburban landscape beyond these rural hills.
But down in our green, green meadow there are still stone steps, a crumbling memory of the church and tight-knit community that once existed here. Our farm, with the church that also served as a school for many years, was the center of that community.
My grandmother taught at the one-room Stringtown school for many years. My father went to school in the old church in first grade then on through eighth grade at the new school that was built across the river in 1931. Throughout his childhood, he went to church here.
Here, my dad is checking out the old stone steps of his childhood. He grew up just across the river on my great-grandfather’s farm. Did I mention the parental units are visiting this week?
Here is the old church that stood on our farm as it appeared before it burned down about ten years ago.
From the past to the future……. Here, my parents are inspecting the progress on our new house on the hill.
Stringtown rises again…. I think I am going to run for sheriff. I want a long black duster and silver pistols and a big hat. Possums and squirrels will scatter in my wake.
Kim A. says:
How wonderful to have such history, to have “roots.”
I hope you enjoy the visit with your parents. (And vice versa!)
-Kim 🙂
On September 26, 2007 at 9:25 am
MARY says:
Don’t forget the hot pink cowgirl boots!!! Hope your parents like your new homesite!! :treehugger:
On September 26, 2007 at 9:40 am
Alice Audrey says:
Oooo, hot pink cowboy boots. I like that. :yes: That back wall is looking pretty good.
On September 26, 2007 at 10:06 am
Susan says:
Your dad must have the best stories to share! :yes:
It looks, to me, like there has been more progress made. :snoopy:
On September 26, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Crystal B. says:
I hope you have a great visit with your parents. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.
On September 26, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Tori Lennox says:
That was beautiful, Suzanne! You ought to be a writer. :woof:
And I love your sheriff’s outfit!
On September 26, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Estella says:
Hope you have/had a great visit with the parents. Looks like progress has been made on the house.
I went to a church that looked a lot like that until I married an moved away from my hometown.
On September 26, 2007 at 3:09 pm
catslady says:
I love seeing the pics. Have a wonderful visit. and don’t forget to scatter those bears too.
On September 26, 2007 at 4:15 pm
leanne says:
Looks like the house is coming along fine. I hope you have a good visit with your parents. :snoopy:
leanne :purr: :purr: :hug: :typing:
On September 26, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Lis says:
Hope you have a great visit! The house looks like its really coming along :rockon:
On September 26, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Brandy says:
You paint a lovely picture of the past with your words.
On September 26, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Fannie M Wiggins says:
I am sure that the parents are having a great time. They must be so proud of you. I am also sure the children aren’t being spoiled at all.
The home is looking good. A lot of progress is being made. If things keep going at this rate, maybe you can reside there for Christmas. Wouldn’t that be super nice. :shimmy: Have a great night and :hug: to all. :wave:
On September 26, 2007 at 10:11 pm
kaye says:
It’s looking good. Yeah, you should be the law, lol. And you know, I like Stringtown Rising too!
On September 27, 2007 at 2:12 pm