When the Company was going good...
By the mid-twentieth century, this location had operated as a school for over fifty years. It operated as a high school beginning in 1936, and transitioned to serving as a grammar school in 1955. During its time as a grammar school, children danced around a maypole in the space that is now a parking lot.
The Seven Foot Hole in Epworth Georgia featured prominently in interviews of people from this generation. Part of Fighting Town Creek, children of Epworth gathered here in the summer to meet with friends and cool off.
The city's first stripmall made shopping in the town a bit easier. It was located just outside of the Main Street shopping district.
The Tasty Freeze was one of the two drive-in restaurants in the town. Popular from the 1950s through the 1970s, it's close proximity to the drive-in theater made it a popular hang out for teenagers and young adults.
By the 1970s, Epworth Elementary enrolled many of the children of its last graduating space in 1955.
In their interview, the Fosters remembered the section of town where African Americans lived being behind the old courthouse. A cemetery remains as evidence of the community's church and school. Because of its proximity to town, modern construction is encroaching on the area.
In his interview, Chuck Foster remembers the effect that the Tennessee Copper Company and other industrial centers had on the economy of the area.
Anthony Walden grew up in Fannin County in the 1970s, in his interview he discussed the ways he and his friends used land during that period of time.
David Queen remembers Fannin County in the 1970s and 1980s as a time when well-paying jobs were plentiful, and rural life was still attainable for the average family.
In her interview, Betty Foster recalled the ways her family benefitted from Fannin County's industrial economy.
Grady Bryson moved to Fannin County as an adult in the 1970s, but he recalls the way that the area benefitted from the industry of that period.
William Patterson worked in Fannin County's industrial sector in the mid to late twentieth century. He recalled the different ways the town benefitted from its various industries.
Johnny Ray Queen worked for the Tennessee Copper Company for decades. In his interview, he remembered how the county's industry spurred economic growth.
In her interview, Nancy remembered how Fannin County communities remained close-knit in the mid to late twentieth century.
Vickey Andrews grew up in Fannin County in the 1970s, and remembered the ways communities in the County used and related to land during that time.
In the 1970s, Blue Ridge's commercial strip expanded despite competition from newly constructed shopping centers.