April 19 OC Historical Society Meeting - no Trans-Oconee Republic lecture but instead Carving Up Oconee

No talk on Elijah Clarke and Trans-Oconee  this time around, but instead a great film called Carving Up Oconee instead.

 Sent: Wed, March 31, 2010 10:01:16 AM
Subject: April 19 OCHS Meeting

Dear Members -
Given the opportunity to view Celestea Sharp's film Carving Up Oconee and the need to discuss the latest developments concerning Heritage Park, we now have a modified agenda for the April 19 OCHS meeting.  The 77 minute film will be shown starting at 6 pm at the Gainsville State College Oconee Campus in Watkinsville followed by a 30 minute Q and A session.  This gives us time to get to and hold our business meeting from 8 to 9 pm at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) on School Street in Watkinsville.  We will have food!
Gary Doster has graciously agreed to present his talk entitled "Elijah Clarke and the Trans-Oconee Republic" at a later date - possibly at the May meeting.  I look forward to all of you hearing Gary's lively tale about this surprising event 216 years ago.
A Little History:  This past weekend, Michael Doster (Gary's son) gave my sister (Linda Bernard), Sheila and me a tour of John Barnett's (Revolutionary War vet) grave (1814) and what's left of the old Star Thread Mill site in the 1889 to 1929 era town of Rutherford (later Barnett Shoals) near the Georgia Power dam on the Oconee River off Barnett Shoals Road.  Five-hundred people lived there.  There were over 150 homes, a post office, bank, sidewalks, and street lights at its height.  I just found out from Gary that Bob Godfrey was the postmaster at one time.  Later, Sheila found the 1920 Census records so we can share that because some of you may know the folks who lived there.
See you on the 19th.
Ben
Location: Watkinsville, GA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jeff Dantzler's arrests may be the best thing that ever happened to him

THis has next to nothing to do with Oconee County with the possible exception of the location of his former office, but a former colleague of mine on the radio got popped today for four counts. Any one who has listened to 960 the Ref AM sports talk radio or heard the UGA Lady Dawgs or men's baseball team has surely heard the encyclopedic knowledge of one Jeff Dantzler. Jeff and I are pretty much diametrically opposed poltically, but today he was arrested on four counts including DUI. I hope he gets the help he needs following his incarceration. I work for a lawyer who could help him out if he does not having someone already representing him. This man is a great broadcaster and I hope this arrest serves as a wake-up call for him and his rock and roll lifestyle. I live a far from perfect life myself but long ago and far away I learned how and when not to drink. Now we will be without he dulcet tones on Lady Bulldog broadcasts as well as on Georgia baseball games and also on the after...
Read more

A deep wound waiting to be healed - restoring order and dignity in the city cemetery

Image
The Watkinsville City Cemetery is an oasis amidst the houses on the east side of the municipality, near the neighborhood once called Sidney. There is a large section of the cemetery that remains a mystery, but perhaps we can work together to dignify the eternal resting spot somewhat better than the current neglected and forgotten (not to mention unmarked) graves of 70 people, more than likely of African-American descent. They deserve to be honored as well. An effort has been undertaken to repair the graves with fill dirt to stop the continued erosion amongst the graves. The most recent grave and bench belong to Larry Sheats,  and as any one who played basketball at Herman C. Michael Park or knew him otherwise  can attest, he was among the best people this county has ever seen. Larry was always ready to help. Now it is our turn to help. Do it for someone you knew there, maybe the Hardens, or the Downs, or any number of other people, but allow me to reminisce about how L...
Read more

I strongly disagree with the impending demolishing of the iconic Watkinsville Water Tower

Image
I know the Watkinsville Water Tower near where the "Big Spring" of what was one called Big Springs, Georgia serves no functional purpose anymore. I know it is a hazard. I know it is rusty and old and past its usefulness for the most part. I see a purpose beyond the aesthetic and instead as a possible financial benefit.  I know there is a way to keep it and make money for our municipality. I wonder who is doing the seemingly shoddy job of removing it (or at least preparing to raze it) and who stands to make money off that?  The dismantling of the Watkinsville Water Tower has already caused one gas leak and I can only imagine what problems await the demolition of the dinosaur.  If it is only because a group of kids have been crawling up it, then build a fence around it. I would think the City of Watkinsville would benefit and making monthly lease fees if they would instead do what about 90% of these abandoned water towers do and that is become a cellular telephone tow...
Read more