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“We wanted it to be a grand event,” said Mayor Timmy Cooner about the celebration of Branchville’s 150th birthday, and by the looks of things, it was.
Past and present Branchville residents gathered on the Town Hall site on Main Street to reminisce, catch up with family and friends and enjoy a barbecue dinner Sunday evening, the anniversary date of the Town’s original charter.
Johnny Norris was born in Branchville in 1925, and left for stints in the Navy and work with Western Union, Southern Railways and Norfolk Southern.
“On Saturday night, the streets were completely filled with people until midnight. The grocery stores stayed open until (then). You saw a lot of mules and wagons and buggies,” Norris said
Norris was one of six brothers and one of two sets of twins in his family. “My mother and father lived here all those years.”
“Branchville was a lively town, there were fifteen passenger trains a day. Twelve between Charleston and Columbia and six to Augusta.”
“I enjoyed it,” said Norris, who credits the trains coming through the world’s oldest railroad junction with his interest in and career with the railroad.
Sisters Betty Hester and Shelby Metts have memories of a vibrant downtown as well, including Phillips Department Store and a movie theater.
“Pearlstein’s Drug Store used to host birthday parties for the whole school,” said Hester.
The turnout for the event was especially pleasing for Mayor Tim Cooner. “It means a lot to me. I can’t remember in my lifetime the town ever celebrating before. It’s a great milestone for Branchville.”
Cooner said residents began to get excited as preparations for the event became visible during the week, with a large tent being put up and decorated.
“Every day people were asking what was going on and when would it start,” said Cooner.
Cooner also reminisced about growing up in Branchville. “The only thing was school, football and basketball.”
“Now we’re emphasizing the youth beyond school, the challenge is to keep (them) occupied and interested.”
The birthday celebration was seen by many at the event as a sign that Branchville is making a comeback. “I think it’s wonderful,” said Norris, about the event. “I think the town has recovered greatly from the tornado. It looks nice.”
n T&D Correspondent Phyllis A. Overstreet can be reached via email at paoverstreet@bellsouth.net.