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.
Rene Walek-Shepard portrays Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Nissen in the reenactment of her marriage to Lewis Case Laugenour, played by Brad Phillis. In the background, John Rushton plays the role of presiding minister.
What Would Lewis Think?
What would Lewis Laugenour think of his beloved Lewisville if he could see it today, some 150 years since the town was named after him?
Would the enterprising founder of Lewisville be surprised to see the neighborhoods, the parks, the businesses, churches and schools that have since sprung up in Lewisville? Would he be amazed by the four-lane highway that provides ease of travel to and from Lewisville? Would he be curiously puzzled by something so common in our era as the stoplights that hang near Lewisville Baptist Church, where he was laid to rest in 1893?
I can just imagine Lewis Laugenour strolling today along the sidewalk through Lewisville, with a gleam in his eye and a smile of wonderment on his face. This once sparsely populated stopover in western Forsyth County has become a close-knit community of individuals and families. Camaraderie and charm have been nurtured by common goals and wise strategic planning.
I can’t help but believe that Lewis Laugenour would be very pleased with the little town named in his honor 150 years ago.
Photo Gallery
Be sure to visit the PHOTO GALLERY and view the full range of activities at Lewisville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. CLICK to visit the Sesquicentennial Celebration photo gallery.
