Friday, April 1, 2011

Mathews Co. Marble and Concrete Company


Richardson's Drug Store, (the building on the far right, which is now a restaurant) has stood on the corner of Main and Church Streets since the 1920s.

The Jarvis and Pugh Building (the yellow building below, which at one time was Miss Golden Brooks' store) has stood just down from Richardson's on Church Street for roughly the same amount of time.



But see those buildings with the lower roof line and awnings (below) in between the yellow J&P building and Richardson's?

They were later additions to this streetscape.



The only reason I can state this with any conviction is that the Gazette Journal has a photograph of this same stretch of street back in the 1920s when the roads were dirt.  In the space between Richardson's and the Jarvis and Pugh building stood a little shed with a sign that says Mathews County Marble and Concrete Company.

They made, among other things, tombstones, which were displayed out front right along this street.

That old photo will appear in the book I am working on (the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise).

The Gazette Journal is truly an amazing source of information, and if not for that photograph, I would never have known that a place called Mathews Co. Marble and Concrete ever existed (unless I spent days upon weeks upon years months in the county clerk's office researching deeds; even so, the photograph says things no deed book ever could).

Mathews is overflowing with so many stories just waiting to be told.  Hopefully one day I'll win the lottery and be able to devote the proper time researching those stories, interviewing the right people, and hunting for the photographs that go with each tale.

Until then, I'll just share what precious little I know here.  But one thing I've learned in the many months spent working on this book is that precious little is sometimes a lot. One clue leads to another and before you know it you've solved a puzzle you didn't even know existed.

Or something.

Have a great weekend.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I never even knew that Mathews ever had a marble and concrete company. I can't wait for your book to come out so I can learn more about my hometown! I spent many an afternoon sitting in Miss Golden's shop, as bored as can be, while my grandmother sat in those chairs in the front and talked to all the ladies! What I wouldn't give to be able to do that now. I was too young to really listen and appreciate their stories.
Trinia

Maria_NJ said...

I love your story telling... Also can not wait for "the Book" to be out. This weekend I hope you find just one thing fun to do, just for you...


wv: prest: Lawd, please give CBW some patience, cause the last thing we need to do is call the prest.

Lynne M said...

Was the old Dr. Hudgins in that building with the green awning? And maybe later on Dr. Stewart? Dr. Hudgins was my doc when I was a little girl, and Dr. Stewart as an "older" little girl. Always loved Richardson's too!

deborah said...

I can't wait for you book to be published - you have such a wonderful way with words and pictures!
Have a relaxing weekend, please!

Jamie said...

I have an idea, I'll be your writing assistant and move down there and live in a shanty boat tied to your dock. Then your book would get finished. Or maybe not ;)

Unknown said...

What wonderful tidbits of history you have. I can't wait for the book!

Anonymous said...

I remember walking after school from the intermediate school to Richardsons to get cherry cokes and cherry sprites not the kind from the can but the ones with real cherry syrup. Such simple times that I enjoyed greatly and really miss.

Meg McCormick said...

It's like the ultimate detective story! You're just the person for the job - you're naturally inquisitive and know all the right questions to ask.

Mental P Mama said...

Are you gonna come up here fro a book signin' party? I'll bring the wine. Seriously;)