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.)
CLICK for more INFO and PHOTOS on the Lewisville Postmasters Plaque Ceremony
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
