February 1, 1879—Hall’s Drug Store opened. The new firm, opening in the new and handsome storehouse next to A. Landis, Jr., will be operated by Mr. E. T. Jones, formerly with Messrs. T. D. Crawford & Company, and Mr. John Green Hall, late with Cooper & Williams. These young gentlemen will enter the mercantile arena with ample capital and a thorough knowledge of the drug business. This Drug Store remained opened and in the same location for over 100 years. February 2, 1921—The old market house (better known as the Opera House) burned. The Opera House, built in 1888, was located on Williamsboro St. behind the Court House. The year that it opened its first floor held the town hall the public market, the fire department, and a small jail; the second floor served as an opera house, which served as a meeting place and performance venue for many traveling troupes as well as locate groups who showcased their talents. Early pictures show a three story plus belfry as part of the building. In 1921 the building was damaged by fire and the house changed both in structure and function after that time. Through the years that followed it was the site of a wholesale grocery (Morgan and Crews Wholesale), the home of the American Legion as well as an auto dealership (Sterns-Knight Auto Company), and the Headquarters Military Company, possibly a forerunner of the National Guard. In 1958, its downstairs was converted into a fire house. Today this building houses Granville County offices, including County Permits and the Board of Elections. February 1, 1942—A rat riddance campaign began with a block by block cleanup of the business section, urging citizens as well to clean up around their homes. February 3, 1911—A skating carnival was held at Farmers’ Warehouse under the auspices of the Daughters of the Confederacy. A roller skating contest awarded a pocket knife to the best skater of the boys and a box of candy to the most graceful skater among the young ladies. Roy Royster and Miss Edna Griffith were winners. February 5, 1890—Royce & Lansing (Ray L. Royce and Web Lansing) Musical Comedy Company performed at the Opera House. This organization embraced considerable talent in the lines of music and comedy. Ray Royce, as a mimic, facial and character impersonator, was the equal of Sol. Smith Russell, who was considered second comedian in the Nashville Theatre during 1864-65, becoming the leading comedian in 1885 after the retirement of William Warren. The Royce & Lansing Musical Comedy Company appeared in San Francisco in 1888 before twenty-one thousand people in one week which speaks for the popularity of the genre at that time. February 7, 1968—C. L. (Claude Lee) Rucker Recreation Association sponsored the first night of Bingo at the National Guard Armory. The Recreation Association was registered in NC on June 29, 1959 as a non-profit corporation. Its founder was John K. Nelms. It started out as a Boy’s Club and was operating out of the log cabin that once stood behind the Episcopal Church. Harold and Betty Currin got involved in starting softball games for the boys around 1964, playing games in a field across from the old JFD Industry (this building no longer stands). Soon the games became popular and a league was formed. As growth continued more space was needed and the Boy’s Club moved to the old city park area. The park was named in honor of Claude Lee Rucker, who helped the Currins operate the park in the 1960s. The City of Oxford maintains and operates the park today. February 8, 1890—The Schubert Quartette performed at the Opera House in Oxford. This singing group consisted of four men and was highly praised, “the balance of voices was such that almost perfect cords were produced.” The singers were accompanied by two ladies, pianist and soloist. They sang around the country, being one of the most popular groups of the day. February 10, 1885—The Granville Grays re-organized the company. During the Civil War, more than 2000 men from Granville County served the Confederacy. One company, known as the Granville Grays and in existence since at least 1861, were at that time enrolled in the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers, This was the first company which marched into camp of instruction in North Carolina, and was engaged in nearly all the great battles fought in Virginia during the Civil War. It was composed of the best material in Granville County as is shown by the fact that over forty of its original members became commissioned officers before the close of the war, and some twenty others were promoted to places of trust and responsibility in the line, or in the departments connected with the army. In 1898 they were considered part of the State Guard. The company was in existence until at least 1921. February 11, 1898—A fire at Meadows Warehouse, run by Z. W. Lyon, spread down Broad St. to Hillsboro St. There were at least two devastating fires in Oxford, each one burning almost half of the downtown business section. In this fire, two prize houses at the end of the warehouse were lost and fire consumed the warehouse in less than ten minutes. The wagon shop of Mr. Glenn, in which was locate the cotton gin of Messrs. Bryan, Cannady & Company, went up in ashes, two tenement houses in the rear of the prize houses were lost as was the wagon and blacksmith shop of Mr. W. T. Patterson.A small house nearby was saved, but the wood shop on the corner of Hillsboro and Broad streets burned. The two-story boarding house was saved as owner John Green, assisted by Frank Taylor and Ike Gregory, battled the intense heat and fought the fire. Due to the diligence of these men, the Roberts boarding house and other adjoining buildings were also saved. Hillsboro St. was full of furniture taken from building that seemed to be doomed. The stemmery of Colonel W. B. Ballou across the street escaped danger. Men with buckets of water were placed on top of the mammoth Minor Warehouse to put out the large pieces of shingles that went flying through the air ablaze and lodged on top. The residences of Messrs. W. J. Stem and E. T. Crews on Broad St. caught fire from flying sparks, but were soon put out. There were several injuries, but none severe. February 11, 1943—Talent from Camp Butner presented a variety show in the High School Auditorium. Sponsored by the Lions Club, proceeds were shared by the Oxford service organization and the Army for use in furnishing a day room at the camp. Camp Butner was a US Army installation in Butner, NC during World War II. Part of it was used as a POW Camp for German prisoners of war in the US. The camp site was chosen around early January 1942 to have a major training area built and in just six short months, over 3500 buildings were constructed. There were enough beds in the enlisted barracks alone to accommodate over 35,000 soldiers. Several major US Army divisions used the camp as a staging area during the war to assemble and organize prior to being deployed to the Western Front. After the war, the Camp was used as a major facility for the demobilization and deactivation of Army units returning from the war. The Camp was also the location of the Battalion Surgeon’s Assistant school. February 14, 1911—Seaboard Air Line Railway agreed to put electric lights in the Oxford Depot. February 18, 1911—In order to establish free mail delivery, the Town Commissioners had to have the new houses numbered, repair the street signs and put up three lights. In April of this same year the lights still were not up. February 20, 1873—Oxford Orphan Asylum opened in the old dilapidated building constructed in 1857 for what became known as St. John’s College. Under the superintendence of John H. Mills, the Oxford Orphan Asylum received three children (Robert L. and Nancy Parrish and Isabelle Robertson, all from Granville County). It was the first orphanage in North Carolina. In addition to regular school classes, the children learned trades, helping in many areas of daily living. They learned to sew, cook, farm, and gained skills in woodworking, printing, etc. The home is still in operation today.
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Joan RobersonWith a keen interest in the history of her home town, Joan gets into the spirit of the Bicentennial with these snapshots of days gone by. Archives
December 2016
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