Lewisville Postmasters Plaque
After presenting a plaque honoring Lewisville's postmasters, John Craft spoke with the folks who had crowded into the Lewisville Post Office lobby for the presentation. (Left to right: William and Sherry Beasley, Merrikay Brown, Doris Hauser, John Craft)
Looking Back
When the Town of Lewisville celebrated its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary at Shallowford Square in October 2009, the seed was planted then for the ceremony that took place this past Saturday (January 16, 2010) at the Lewisville Post Office.
John Craft, a retired letter carrier, was asked several years ago by the Lewisville Historical Society to research and present an exhibit on the history of the Lewisville Post Office at Lewisville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. John agreed and began tackling the assignment with his usual optimistic zeal.
Assisting in the project were Della Mae Franklin, Duran Stimson, Mary Alice Warren, Laura Conrad Huffman and members of the Lewisville Historical Society. Their efforts helped piece together historical facts about Lewisville’s postal service — which began in 1861 — including a list of Lewisville’s postmasters, information on the various post office locations over the years, and the role that politics used to play in postmaster assignments. (For many years, postmasters were politically appointed, based on the incoming administration’s party affiliation.)
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Back to 1859
Members of the West Side Civic Theatre reenact the marriage of Lewisville's founder, Lewis Case Laugenour, to Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Nissen in 1859. The onlooker in the foreground, dressed in period attire, looks as though he, too, could have stepped out of the 1800s.
Lewisville Celebrates 150 Years
On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Town of Lewisville, North Carolina celebrated its 150th anniversary with the Lewisville Sesquicentennial Celebration at Shallowford Square. Members of the Lewisville Historical Society had worked for more than a year on the celebration plans.
Despite the cloudy, cool weather, the celebration began at 11:00 a.m. with an old-fashioned vehicle parade, followed by a variety of activities, exhibits and tours until the celebration ended at 4:00 p.m. Some of the activities and exhibits included:
- Bluegrass music
- Brass band
- Square dancing
- Storytelling
- Wagon rides
- Post Office memorabilia & the 150th year commemorative stamp
- Genealogy and Lewisville history exhibits
- Poster and essay contest awards presented to local school children
- Nineteenth century craft exhibits
- Flower show
- Historic sidewalk tour
- Old-fashioned children’s games
The Big Wedding
The final and defining event of the day was the reenactment of the 1859 marriage of Lewis Case Laugenour to Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Nissen. The talented members of the West Side Civic Theatre gave a most engaging rendition of the marriage, complete with children and the sounds of brass music by the Brookstown Band. The cake and ice cream reception following the wedding put the finishing touch on the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
For more on Lewisville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration — including lots of PHOTOS — please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on Lewisville’s 150th anniversary
Bringing History to Life
Brad Craver, accompanied by his son Andrew, gave a Civil War presentation at an outdoor meeting of the Lewisville Historical Society in Lewisville, North Carolina.
A Civil War Family
In 2002 Brad Craver and his sons, Austin and Andrew, decided to take up a hobby that has kept them close as a family and has brought history to life for them. As amateur Civil War historians, the Cravers spend six or seven weekends each year participating in Civil War reenactments in North Carolina, Virginia and as far north as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
On the evening of September 14, 2009, Brad and his sons met with members of the Lewisville Historical Society under the oak trees at Shallowford Square. Their Civil War presentation included relics of that era — a sword, a pistol, and a rifle that was loaded and fired by both Austin and Andrew.
Dressed in full Civil War garb, the Cravers also brought with them items that a typical Civil War soldier might have carried in his haversack (backpack): a “housewife” (a sewing kit), military handbook, Christian tract, playing cards, bed cap, eating utensils and a supply of hardtack (hard biscuits).
Whenever the Cravers share with groups of various ages or are involved in Civil War reenactments, they typically represent two particular regiments: the Federal Army’s 83rd Pennsylvania Regiment and the Confederate States Army’s 24th Virginia Regiment. They’re part of the approximately 50,000 Civil War reenactors from nearly every state in the USA, as well as from other countries, including England and Belgium.
To see more PHOTOS and to hear the AUDIO RECORDING of the Cravers’ Civil War presentation, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on the Civil War
Graveyard Tour — Shiloh Lutheran Church
Revolutionary War soldier, Francis Ketner, is buried in The Old Cemetery near Shiloh Lutheran Church in Lewisville, North Carolina. The Daughters of the American Revolution placed a plaque at the foot of the gravestone to honor Ketner's service.
The Old Cemetery
The final stop of the 2009 Historic Graveyard Tour that was held on May 2, 2009 was The Old Cemetery at Shiloh Lutheran Church, the oldest congregation in Lewisville, and the oldest Lutheran Church in Forsyth County. Located a quarter mile east of Shiloh Lutheran Church — and tucked away in a peaceful nook in the woods — The Old Cemetery offers a bit of “revolutionary” history and local legend for all who walk that sacred ground. The site of the original church is located further into the woods, not too far from The Old Cemetery.
Preserving History
Hosting the last portion of the Historic Graveyard Tour was Terry Dull, a long-time member of Shiloh Lutheran Church. About eight years ago, Terry and his wife Bette began researching the history of the church and the old graveyard. They wanted to preserve the church’s rich history for future generations. In 2002 Terry and Bette published their findings in a 36-page booklet titled The Old Deutsch Meeting House Graveyard, just in time for the church’s 225th anniversary.
For more HISTORY, PHOTOS and AUDIO, please continue to the NEXT SECTION.
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