UPTOWN
Volume 2, Issue 7 Town of Castalia
(252) 459-3668
Aug-Sept 2007
From the Mayor’s Desk
Antique cars rolled into Town, food vendors, craft vendors and children’s activities were set up for operation, a wonderful parade traveled Main Street, a patriotic program took Center Stage, musical entertainment rang out til “boom-splash” echoed and colorfully arrayed the sky with fireworks. All this as we celebrated the 231st birthday of our great country – the United States of America.
All the above was fun and made an enjoyable day for all. Yes, we celebrated a birthday and I hope you realized the freedom we have as a result of this day. Our fore fathers came to this country for freedom of religion and isn’t it terrific to enter our church doors without fear. It is so good to have freedom of speech and be able to work and associate with all people in an open manner. Even though our country is participating in war in a foreign country we do not have open conflict on our streets. All this freedom we enjoy should not just be taken for granted.
A nursery school teacher was telling her class about patriotism. “We live in a great country,” she said. “One of the things we should be happy about is that, in our country, we are all free.” One little boy came walking up from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said, “ I’m not free, I’m four.”
My friends, are we “free or four”?
History of Castalia
Researched from articles printed 1973 in:
Nashville Graphic written by L.S. Inscoe
Evening Telegram written by Clyde Gallop
This issue’s history pertains to the Harrison family and how its members were instrumental in the formation of the Town of Castalia. Before the town was formed an estate named “Castalia” was owned by Captain Harrison, a wealthy landowner whose property encompassed present day Castalia. The oldest building on the Harrison estate was the John Harrison house, most likely erected by Captain Harrison when he returned home after the Civil War. It was Captain Harrison who, with the coming of the Civil War, enlisted a company of his neighbors and all served the cause of the confederacy with credit and distinction. Some who came back with Captain Harrison and continued to live and work in the community after the War were H.W. Drake, Henry Hedgepath, and Joe Wheeless. The Harrison House was exemplary of the Greek Revival, hip-roofed cottages built throughout Nash County in the 1800’s. The house had a single story with a gable, but no front jump (porch). The Greek Revival elements included paneled pilasters at the corners of the façade and around the main entrance, and corner blocks at the tops of each window. It was capped by a low hip roof. The Harrison House burned and in its place today stands the Castalia Volunteer Fire Department. Jimmy Harrison, son of Captain Harrison built a similar house known as the “Hi-House.” The difference was the Hi-House was two stories tall and had a front jump (porch). The Hi-House was originally built on Main St. and was moved into the field when S.J. Bartholomew built his colonial style house in 1918. The Hi-House is no longer standing. James A. Harrison’s store, Harrison was one of the first town commissioners, the main business in town was situated near the present location of the post office. Several of the Harrison family members held the position of postmaster in Castalia. The position was held by W.D. Harrison in 1859, T.C. Harrison in 1869 and J.A. Harrison in 1879. The Old Ice House located on the Captain Harrison estate provided the town with its ice supply. When the nearby pond would freeze over, the ice house attendant would break the ice and bring the chunks into the house to keep them from melting. Since there were no refrigerators in that day the attendant would cover the chunks with sawdust and burlap bags. In 1873, the estate of Castalia became known as the Town of Castalia. Captain Harrison and W. T. (Bill) Taylor were instrumental in the incorporation of the Town. Captain Harrison died shortly after the Town of Castalia was incorporated. Dr. Robert Sill, whose family was also instrumental in the formation of the Town of Castalia, married the Captain’s daughter and became overseer of the Harrison property. In January, 1915 the entire estate was sold in lots.
From the Town
The Castalia Disaster Relief & Shelter Team
Hurricane season is upon us, running from June through November. We do not wish for disaster in our community or anywhere else, but everyone must realize the possibility is always there and good preparation is needed to take care of the people in our own town. The Castalia Disaster Relief & Shelter Team is holding an Open House on Saturday August 11 from 10-2 to demonstration how the shelter will work during a disaster. The Team will set up a registration table and explain processing. During registration necessary paperwork is filled out by those needing shelter. During a disaster we have space for 20 people at the Town Hall, providing a cot, blanket and pillow. Each person receives an appropriate hygiene kit (man, woman, or child). Simple meals are served, prepared using canned and processed food. At the Open House cots, blankets, pillow will be set up and we will have several different meals to sample by visitors. Come and join us at the Open House. See just how prepared the Team is in case of a disaster. If you need more information call the Castalia Town Hall, chair person Ken Rice or Co-Chair Kathy Robles.
4th of July Committee News
The 4th of July celebration again was a success. All that attended immensely enjoyed the car show, parade, entertainment and the spectacular fireworks display. The committee would like to add other activities during the day but in order to do this more people must participate both in the planning and on the day of the event. The 4th of July committee has already had its first meeting of the year to plan July 4th 2008. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, August 13 at 7pm (Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm). The 4th of July celebration relies on volunteer participation. Please get involved.
Utility Information
The town has increased the water utility deposit from $85.00 to $125.00.
Citizen’s Corner
We welcome to our town:
Walter Williams 9912 Main St.
Addie’s Kitchen NC 58
Ask at the Town Hall how you may become involved
Meet Charles R. “Jack” Cone
Jack was born January 3, 1922 in the town of Samaria to C. R. and Nanny Cone. He had a sister, Mary and a brother, Julian. In 1927 the family moved to Castalia. Jack’s father was the druggist for Dr. A. L. Denton. Dr. Denton and Mr. Cone had been medics together in WWI.
Jack attended Castalia School. His childhood was adventurous; as most boys. He loved wheels and liked to explore what made them turn. At age 6 Jack and a friend, John, took off on their tricycles towards Spring Hope. About 5 miles out John got angry because Jack was leaving him behind. He turned around and headed home. A motorist stopped to investigate the situation and offered to take the boys home. John said to the man, “don’t take Jack, he’s too mean.” It seems Jack had an advantage. The front wheel of his tricycle was a much larger wheel. Another adventure with wheels was a little gasoline operated race car. Jack and another friend also named Jack, would drive this car, ran about 15mph, to Spring Hope to the picture show. When the wheels wouldn’t turn they walked to the show; took them all day.
Jack dropped out of school after the 7th grade to work with his father in the carpentry business. At 18, Jack ran a Service Station (became Manning’s Store) and put his love of wheels and their rotation to a productive use. In 1942 he was drafted and went off to serve his country in WWII for forty months. He was stationed on bases in the US, Hawaii and Japan working in the motor pool.
When Jack came home from the service, he went back to work with his father as a carpenter. After his father’s death he worked with several other builders. In the late forties Jack served as Castalia’s weekend policeman; seems on the weekends the town got restless. He was the last recorded police for the town. In 1952 Jack went into the carpentry business for himself, employed some twenty people until he retired. Jack built the Main Street Baptist Church, the Castalia Town Hall, his own home, and homes through Castalia and N.C.
In 1952 another important event happened in Jack’s life. He met and married Dorothy “Janet” Mercer and accepted her three children into his life.1954 they had twin girls and became one big happy family adding six grand children over the years. Janet passed away in 1993.
Jack served as a volunteer fireman, one term as a Town commissioner, and was a deacon in his church. He enjoys walking, woodworking, helping his neighbors, and his love for the wheels now centers on NASCAR racing: says right now his man, Dale Jr., is running behind. Jack liked the “Mini Rigs” in the July 4th parade; had his picture taken sitting in one of them but declined the offer to drive it. He enjoys the crowd that gathers at Bojangles but vegetables are his favorite food.
He now lives at 8989 Main St.(in the house/home that Jack built), takes good care of his cat, savors most of all his family gatherings and time spent with his friend Sarah. Jack loves Castalia and encourages us all to work together to make it an even better place to live.
From Time Warner Cable
For your information per Time Warner Cable effective July 17, 2007, the Travel Channel will move from channel 74 to channel 152, Noggin will move from channel 184 to channel 74, and VH-1 Classic will move to channel 66.
Town Web Site
Check out the town Website. The Website address is:
townofcastalia.com
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The Invisible Boy
And here we see the invisible boy
In his lovely invisible house.
Feeding a piece of invisible cheese
To a little invisible mouse.
Oh, what a beautiful picture to see!
Will you draw an invisible picture for me?
Shel Silverstein
Kids, draw a picture of what you think the poem “Invisible Boy” describes and submit it to the Town Hall by August 20th. The drawings will be put on display and judged for first and second place. Prizes will be awarded at the September 4th town meeting. If there is more than one child in the family, picture may be drawn on other paper. Make sure to include name and phone number on each drawing.
Name_________________________________________ Phone No.____________________________________
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