Taphophile Tragics - Col John T. Anderson

Fincastle Presbyterian Church
Col John Thomas Anderson born 1804 died 1879

Married Cassandra Shanks Patton
The little girl from last weeks post was a Patton. I wonder if somehow related. Just now realized the Patton connection.

Found this info on the Col:
Notes for John Thomas Anderson:
"Journal of the Roanoke Historical Society"

Lived and died in Botetourt County. He, his wife and only son are all buried in the Presbyterian cemetery near those of his parents and his four grandparents, Robert and Margaret Neely Anderson, Francis and Grace Metcalfe Thomas.

Represented his county in the Virginia House of Delegates and in the State Constitutional Convention of 1849-50.

He was a lawyer and practice for 22 years in Fincastle. Was involved in the beginnings of Fincastle Academy and the Presbyterian church.

Appointed by President Andrew Jackson to the board of the United States Military Academy.

He retired from his law business and was involved in getting iron down to his brother Joseph Reid Anderson at Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, VA.

Their home "Mt. Joy" was destroyed by the Union General Hunter and they lived in the brick servant's house and kitchen after the mansion was burned.

He had six boys before he passed away.

**A little confused here. It says he and his wife are buried with their only son...then notes he had 6 boys before passing.
Found HERE

You can read some more interesting info HERE along with more links.

Linking with Taphophile Tragics although I don't know if this meme is still going on anymore....seems every time I find a new interesting meme to play along with, it drops off lol...this will be my last week to try and link with it if it doesn't link up today.

Mandarin Orange Monday - Arbor Day

On Friday, the fifth graders (my own Braden and Dalton included)at Greenfield Elementary School planted a tree to celebrate Arbor Day and dedicated it to Sandy Hook. It was a wonderful event, the news even came out. Our principal wrote a letter to send to Sandy Hook, along with a picture, similar to this one, of all the 5th graders and teachers. You can read the letter here in the Botetourt View.

Linking with Mandarin Orange Monday

Friday Fences - Fincastle

On Monday evening, Christian had baseball practice in Fincastle. I dropped him off and ran down to the Presbyterian Church to get a photo for Taphophile Tragics' post on Tuesday. Parked in the little lot across from the church and noticed this and thought, perfect for Friday Fences! And yes, that little building slopes, it's not your eyes or my unsteady hands!

This afternoon, Braden and Dalton's 5th grade class are planting a tree and dedicating it to the victims of the Sandy Hook Massacre....you can read about that RIGHT HERE. I'll be there and take a few pictures of it. So honored that my boys get to be a part of this.

Tonight, Ashlyn and I are going to the Brantley Gilbert concert in Roanoke. Looking forward to spending some fun one on one time with my girl that I never get to see anymore! I'm sure I'll have a picture or two of that as well :)

Saturday we have 4 baseball games to watch (our first of the season), between Christian's doubleheader and Braden and Dalton's. There's a slight overlap of games so Nick and I will have to juggle that!

Saturday evening we are going to go see Christian in his first ever play. He's in the play "Harvey"...I keep calling it "Ted" for some reason lol. Christian is playing the role of a guy who works in the mental hospital if you are familiar with it. I am not familiar with it....yet....

Sunday we might make it to Buchanan for the Civil War History Weekend. We've been before but I don't think it was on a Sunday.

Have a super weekend!! I'm never this busy on a weekend...I feel so popular :)

Signs, Signs - Amazement Square, Lynchburg

Honeycomb inside Amazement Square, Lynchburg

Amazement Square in Lynchburg, Virginia has quite a history. In fact few of the native Lynchburgers seem to be aware of the historical significance of the old J.W. Wood building sitting in their midst.
The building goes back to pre-civil war days when it was used as an infirmary for wounded confederate soldiers and a commissary for the troops. The building was erected sometime between 1851 and 1853 to be used as a warehouse.

Bugs have a special place at Amazement Square that goes back to the renovation efforts to the old warehouse. When the workmen were very carefully cleaning the exterior of the building with a special low-pressure spray, they uncovered the original signage on the building.
Among other things, huge lettering on the building said, "Death to all Insects". So in addition to being a wholesale grocery outlet, it must have also sold a large amount of insecticides.
That presented the organizers with a dilemma. The museum was to be a place that educated young children about all life forms and strove to honor them all so what to do about such a banner that advocated death to all insects.
Scorpy Bug, the museum mascot, came to the rescue with his can of spray paint and changed the sign to read "Respect to All Insects" much to the relief of "Lynchbugs" everywhere. There is now a considerable amount of space devoted to the bugs and bees.

I love the bug room and shared that info with you because it will link with my sign for next week. I didn't know about the "Death to all Insects" till just now...so stay tuned :)

Linking with Signs, Signs

And you can read more about how Amazement Square came to be RIGHT HERE!

Rurality Blog Hop #12 - Front Porch in Mt. Airy

The Gertrude Smith House...Mt. Airy, NC

It's funny, porches remind me of To Kill a Mockingbird and Fried Green Tomatoes...so when I went about looking for a quote to use for a porch, I was really wanting to use something from one or the other and oddly enough, I found this:

"My favorite scene in all of movies is Gregory Peck in 'To Kill A Mockingbird': You see him where he's on the porch, and his face is almost completely obscured. I don't want to see his face."
Mary-Louise Parker

Not quite the porch quote I was looking for but it was said by one of my favorites who played Miss Ruth and she said it about To Kill a Mockingbird...so I had to use it lol

Linking with Rurality Blog Hop!

Taphophile Tragics - Sallie A.P.

Fincastle Presbyterian Church

Inscription:
Beneath this stone lies the body of Sallie A.P.

Daughter of M.C. and S.L. Patton who died March 20, 1854 in the 2nd year of her age.

I couldn't make out what the bottom of the stone said but after some Google searches I came up with this which was listed as a tombstone saying:

"God in his wisdom has recalled
The boon his love has given
And though the body moulders
here the soul is safe in Heaven."

It's always so sad to find the grave of a child.

Links:
Rootsweb Fincastle Presbyterian
Rootsweb Botetourt County Deaths

It shows on the Rootsweb Botetourt Co deaths page that she died of "Inflammation of" and that is it...Inflammation of what I wonder...

Linking with Taphophile Tragics

Mandarin Orange Monday - Opie's Candy Store

A cooler full of cokes, sodas or pops....depending on where you are from. I've always called everything a coke. Opie's Candy Store in Mt. Airy, NC

Linking with Mandarin Orange Monday

SkyWatch Friday Fences - Brunswick Forge Road

Wednsesday's are busy. I pick Christian up from school, he stays late for rehearsals...drive him to his buddy's house on Brunswick Forge Road. Then run Braden and Dalton to their baseball practice at their school. Christian's practice starts just as theirs ends, but Christian's is at Breckinridge in Fincastle, which is about 15 minutes from Braden and Dalton's. Lucky for me I have help. He's been playing baseball since we moved here with basically the same team. The mom on Brunswick Forge takes him to practice for me and lifts a weight off my shoulders! After Braden and Dalton's practice ends, we race to Christian's! I love baseball season!

This photo was taken on Wednesday, after dropping Christian off at his friend's house.

“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Linking with Friday Fences and there's just enough sky to be able to link to SkyWatch Friday!

Signs, Signs - Coca~Cola Bottling Plant in Lynchburg

Old bottling plant in Lynchburg. Tried to find out when it was built or years in use but couldn't find anything. It makes me crazy that these great old buildings don't have histories that are easy to find.

I did get an answer to what yesterday's building was and updated the post so check it out!

Also, this is a 2 for 1 sign day:



This one is for Birdman!

Linking with Signs, Signs

Rurality Blog Hop #11 - Lynchburg

Mystery Building in Lynchburg. I don't know what this neat old building is, any guesses? I have asked an expert though so I'll fill you in when I hear back. I love Lynchburg and all its old architecture.

Linking with Madge's Rurality Blog Hop although I don't know if it will run today as she is recovering from surgery but you could pop over and wish her well!

While combing the web for info on this little building, I found this site about weird "Little Known" Lynchburg attractions. Some of these I want to go investigate!

Update as to what the building is "This was the Norfolk and Western Railway's X tower, which controlled traffic on the N&W where it crossed the Southern mainline in the Lynchburg Lower Basin at Union Station." plus read Sunnybrook Farm's comment.

Barn Charm Tuesday - Amazement Square

Took the boys to Amazement Square in Lynchburg over spring break. This barnyard is only open to the preschooler set though. Isn't it cute?!

Linking with Barn Charm

Lost and Found

Lynchburg

Rainy Monday here....just want to crawl back into bed...

Weekend Reflections - The Historic Earle Theatre Mayberry

The Earle Theatre was built in 1938 by the partnership of Earl Q. Benbow and Percy A. Boone.

The theatre gained considerable national attention when it was selected to present the premiere of Shirley Temple’s film “Just Around the Corner” in 1938. On March 22, 1940, the EARLE hosted one of the southern premieres of “Gone With the Wind”. In 1958, the premiere of “A Face in the Crowd,” Andy Griffith’s first movie, was featured at the EARLE.

The $1 ticket for Gone With The Wind ruffled more local feathers than Clark Gable’s parting words. Tickets returned to a more reasonable range, 9-11 cents for children’s matinees, and 13-17 cents for others.

Linking with Weekend Reflections
and

SkyWatch Friday Fences - Andy Griffith House

This was Andy Griffith's home in Mt. Airy 1935 - 1966. You can rent this to stay in. It was available on the day we were there. Nick was going to book it but Christian had to be back up here for work on Saturday morning, darn! How neat would that have been?

Linking with Friday Fences and SkyWatch Friday

Have a great weekend :)

Signs, Signs - The Darlins' Truck Mayberry

Linking with Signs, Signs

Rurality Blog Hop #10 - Wally's Service Station, Mayberry

Wally's Service Station was built in 1937. It's told that when Andy Griffith was a young boy he'd walk from his house to the service station. We stopped here to book a Squad Car Tour.
The brick building next door is the jail. I'll show you that later!

I know I don't normally post more than one photo a day, but dang, this is Mayberry and I have so much to show you!


Lots of neat things inside, like old timey candy in jars! Christian looks like he found something unusual!


Here's Nick, Braden and Dalton paying for our Squad Car Tour. Totally recommend!

Linking with Madge's Rurality Blog Hop

Snappy Lunch in Mayberry

The guys worked up quite an appetite getting their haircuts so afterwards, we mosied next door to Snappy Lunch.

History of Snappy Lunch:
"The Snappy Lunch was opened in 1923 by George Roberson and Deuce Hodge in the very location you now see. Shortly after opening Mr. Hodge was persuaded to sell his interest in The Snappy Lunch to Ben Edwards who later sold this same interest to Raymond Hemrick.

In 1943, a young man named Charles Dowell began working at The Snappy Lunch doing odd jobs and learning the business. He was compensated the whopping sum of $10 per week. Eight years later, Charles negotiated to purchase Mr. Roberson's share of The Snappy Lunch and began his career as a local business owner.

During those days, The Snappy Lunch catered to local workers and students who enjoyed bologna sandwiches for a nickel and ten cent hot dogs items that remain on the menu today. Students, like now famous Andy Griffith who attended nearby schools, would frequently visit the Snappy Lunch for a quick lunch because the local schools had yet to add cafeterias.

In 1960, Charles Dowell completed his transition to sole owner of The Snappy Lunch by purchasing Raymond Hemrick's share of the diner. As the sole owner Charles had more freedom to develop his own recipes and try different combinations of seasonings.

As most know, Mt. Airy's own Andy Griffith went on to quite a career in television first starring on The Andy Griffith Show. In an early episode entitled "Andy the Matchmaker" Andy suggests to Barney that they go down to the Snappy Lunch to get a bite to eat. Because of this The Snappy Lunch is credited as the only existing Mt. Airy business mentioned on the television show. Andy also mentioned The Snappy Lunch in his version of the song "Silhouettes" recorded around that same time. More recently, during a televised interview, Andy talked about getting a hot dog and bottle of pop at The Snappy Lunch when he was a young boy.

Also during this time Charles Dowell began to perfect his unique creation, The World Famous Pork Chop Sandwich. This wonderfully messy sandwich, served in so many variety of ways, has become the trademark meal of choice for locals and visitors alike. It's a must for any one visiting The Snappy Lunch for the first time. It is the only sandwich that may have you washing your hands AFTER you finish eating it.

Since the 1960's The Snappy Lunch has been the subject of numerous news articles, television stories and national reviews. Celebrities are regularly seen visiting The Snappy Lunch to have their picture taken with Charles, share in the ambiance of the busy diner and/or just to enjoy a "World Famous Pork Chop Sandwich" of their own."



And yes, Nick ordered the pork chop sandwich and really liked it :)

Floyd's City Barber Shop - Mayberry

Nick and Russell Hiatt aka: Floyd the Barber

Nick took Friday off, our last day of spring break, and we headed on down to Mt. Airy, NC, or better known as "Mayberry". Mt. Airy is just a short 2 hour drive from here. Our first stop was Floyd's City Barber Shop where Nick and the boys all got haircuts. Nick got his hair cut from Mr. Hiatt. Russell Hiatt was the inspiration for Floyd the Barber on the Andy Griffith Show as he had been Andy Griffith's barber when Andy was growing up in Mt. Airy. Mr. Hiatt is the owner of Floyd's and has been cutting hair in this location for over 62 years!


And here's a shot of the boys with their haircuts from Miss Judy. Miss Judy is a real sweet lady!

And yes, it was a bit like Mayberry sitting there inside Floyd's. Locals just pop in to visit with Russell and Judy and chat with us tourists. Very friendly little barber shop!

Spring Break

This little guy was on my back deck yesterday morning. Scared Ashlyn because I had the kitchen window open and she was worried he'd jump inside. So what did I do? Grabbed my camera of course :)

Taking a bloggy break. Have some things planned to do with the kids this week and stuff around the house! See ya Monday! Behave yourselves!

April Theme Day - Pedestrians Crossing

We are the pedestrians in this photo, waiting to cross. Leaving the St. Patrick's Fest downtown.

Today is our first day of spring break. It's gorgeous out! But then tomorrow it drops back into the upper 40's then just looks like 50 the rest of the week. Wish these warm days would stick around longer than the cold ones.

To see more takes on the theme, visit City Daily Photo