Pittsboro

Pittsboro, Clothed in New Garment of Prosperity Ready for Fair

Due to the fact that Pittsboro is the oldest town in the county and the county site, an extended write-up is not necessary at this time. But, there are few things that many do not know about this town and community.

The Beginning of Pittsboro

Thanks to Hon. T. M. Murphree and Jessie Ryan’s history, we reproduce the early history of Pittsboro, Mississippi.

Beginning in 1852, the board of Police (so called then) composed of A. G. Hallums, Lawrence Brasher, Sydney P. Brantley, John Dowdy and Hiram Hall, convened at Hartford now Old Town, on July 12th, 1852, and being in session on the 13th (an unlucky day) adjourned to meet at Camp Springs, on the 15th to examine the grounds for the location for the Court house. Camp Springs being the geographical center of the county, Mr. Ebeneza Gaston, an old honored citizen, proposed to give a quarter section of land for this purpose. On the 19th, the Board met at Hartford and accepted Mr. Gaston’s proposition, and passed an order to locate the court House on the North East quarter of Section 19 of Township 13, Range one West, and named the town Orrsville in Honor of J. A. Orr, who had rendered special aid in establishing Calhoun county. On the 26th of July, 1852, a little deed was given by Mr. Gaston, and on the same date the Board ordered the sale of lots on the first Monday in September following. At this same meeting the name Orrsville was changed to Pittsboro, after Pittsboro N. C., from near which two of the members of the Board, Messrs. Brasher and Brantley had emigrated. During the year of 1852 lots were sold, bringing about seven thousand, two hundred dollars. The first house built in Pittsboro was Tom Odom’s on the site about where the store of I. T. Countiss now stands. Next were the establishments of Ed Christopher and Bass & Company. September, 1855, the Court House was built by John Benning at a cost of seven thousand, six hundred dollars. M. J. McGuire, architect; A. G. Hallum, B. F. Davis and J. S. Ryan, building committee; S. C. Brewer and Son, brick work and plastering; John Benning, wood work, and Hugh McPhil, [sic] tinner. This was the Court House that recently burned. The old jail was built by Eli J. Ryan, in 1853 at a cost of one thousand four hundred dollars. This jail burned during the Civil War. A good town grew up around these historic buildings – a town of happy, god-fearing people.

Today Prosperity Reigns

The town is making great strides in development. Several new businesses have been established since the last report. Six modern residences have been, or are being constructed. A modern brick High School building is under construction and will be ready for use November 1st. The Methodist are building a new church, a splendid structure in keeping with the growth of the town and community. The Baptist have refinished theirs, and today have a beautiful place to worship. An up-to-date barber shop and a modern filling station have just been completed. A common carrier rail road is being built our way and there is ? of contentment and permanence everywhere about the town and community

Business Activities

Several saw mills, a brick factory and Aunt Anna’s laundry comprise the industrial assets of the town. Two large general merchandizing establishments, several up-to-date grocery stores, two restaurants, one drug store, one blacksmith shop, one garage, two excellent drive-in filling stations, one acetylene welding shop, millinery shop, barber shop, professional offices, and a first class hotel are most of the businesses that the town consists of. These report a wonderful business annually bearing out the well deserved reputation as a town of low prices, quality good, welcome and service.

The School

The large district is a consolidation of several small districts making it one of the largest districts in the county. A modern brick veneer High School building is under construction. When finished, it will be the most modern consolidated school building in the county. Improved equipment has been bought for it. Later, water and electric lights will be installed. The community is working for the Smith-Hughes work next year. The school has nearly two hundred pupils, a facility of competent teachers in charge, a wide awake Board of trustees and an ?working Parent Teacher Association – all working harmoniously for a better school. This school is the oldest high school in the county and has a wonderful history for efficiency year in and year out never ceasing to send out an excellent class each year.

Churches, Fraternities and Clubs

The town has two well organized churches – Methodist and Baptist. The Baptist have recently beautified and equipped their church and are planning the addition of Sunday School rooms next year. It is the pride of the town. Its members are religiously active, supporting a large Sunday School. The Methodist is a live institution, ever working for the cause of Christ. They are constructing a fine church, modern in every way. The Methodist too, have a good Sunday School. Both churches are working harmoniously and earnestly for Christ’s sake. There is a fine Masonic Lodge here, W. O. W. Camp, and several clubs, such as Checker, Dollar and Political clubs.

Farming

Schoona River, canal and laterals drain most of the valley land of this community. This land is as good as any to be found [line darkened] is insured every year because of the excellent drainage. The small valley lands are very productive. Taking the average land of this section and they are producing one half to a bale of cotton per acre and thirty to fifty bushels of corn to the acre. Other crops have about the same average. Men, it’s above the average for farming. In connection with farming here, goes dairying and livestock raising. Both the large and small farmers are realizing good profits from cream, cattle, hogs and chickens. Purebred stock is to be found on most of the farms. But with all the good land, improved machinery, pure bred stock that is used here, the general verdict is “there is more in the man than there is in the land.” We have three fine highways all leading to Pittsboro and other points. There is a railroad coning this way, which connects this place with the L. C. Railway, Bruce & Co. have enough timber to run a large band sawmill fifteen years. It’s the place for a farmer to dispose of everything that he can raise at a good profit.

Strong for the Fair

The Fair committees are working and have been for some time on the several Fair features such as community exhibits, school float, community records, etc. Several individuals are planning exhibits of there [sic] own. The community has the stuff and serves notice to all Fair competitors “to make hay while the sun shines.”

A Hint To Good Farmers

This place from all indication is destined to be the best general farming section of Calhoun County. Land is yet reasonably priced. Come over and investigate today or before the year is out. There is room for you and we need more good farmers. Last call, come see for yourself.