On Church Street By Linda H. Barnette
Recently I posted on Facebook that with the passing of Mrs. Jim Wall, I was the last of the original Church Street residents. Several people suggested that I might want to write the story of my street, so I decided to do just that. I hope you enjoy getting to know the people and the way of life there back in the day!
My Dwiggins great-grandparents originally lived in the area between Green Hill Road and Boone Farm Road on land that was part of the original John Boone land grant. However, at some point, they decided to move from the country into town. Between September 6, 1919, and January 13, 1920, my great-grandfather, William Joel Franklin Dwiggins, and my grandfather, W. N. Smith, purchased nine lots on Church Street, now W. Church Street.
In the early 1920s, both families built homes on this street right beside each other, connected by a mutual driveway. It was convenient for my grandmother to be close to her parents as they aged, and in those days people took care of their elderly family members. I assume that both men tired of farming and wanted to do some other kind of work. I have heard that the wood for both houses came from their land in the country.
My grandmother’s brother, Marsh Dwiggins, also built his home across the street from them, as did my parents after World War II. All of the homes are still here although no longer in my family.
My purpose in writing this series is to share with others a little bit about the neighbors who lived close by during my childhood and adulthood on this, my street. I will also share how we lived during those times.
To be continued