Page 9 - Copyright 2013 - Pamplin Media Group
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September 2013
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW
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State Penitentiary. Her writings paint a sad,
but exciting time — one in which infant
mortality rates were high, but so were sights
on expansion and economic growth.
During the early 20th century, Fairview
residents worked in the agricultural, logging
and dairy industries and lived with minimal
electricity and running water. The land where
the Target store now stands in Fairview, at
21500 N.E. Halsey St., was the Stone family’s
dairy farm. It was a time when phonographs
were the latest technological development.
Back then, girls weren’t allowed at the local
swimming hole and social activities included
patent-medicine shows and box socials.
Young men were paid an average of 50 cents
a day picking fruit and women stayed home
to cook and take care of the children.
But some things haven’t changed in
Fairview; for example, the weather. On July 4,
1900, Drusilla writes, “This has been the
rainiest 4th on record. Just poured all day
except two or three hours in the middle of the
day.”
Visitors can learn more about Heslin and
Fairview history through tours held from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday every
month where they can view the china dolls,
sewing machines, military uniforms, original
furniture and other items owned by the family
and Fairview settlers. Black and white
pictures showing past residents decked in
bonnets and trousers hang from the walls
and informational panels orient newcomers.
Visitors also can check out the adjacent jail
that used to house transients and pranksters
back during the early 20th century. The two-
room, cement jail was erected in 1915, but
served more as a climbing structure for
Heslin children than a detention center.
“The Heslin House is our only museum
here in Fairview,” said Lael Larger of the
Fairview Rockwood Wilkes Historical Society.
“I think it’s important to learn about how
involved the Dunbars and Heslins were in the
Ann Rosene’s 200-doll collection is on display at Heslin House museum. OUTLOOK FILE PHOTO
See “Heslin” / page 13
