I lived there and I really enjoyed it. You can actually walk the whole town. I can remember eating lunch by the river. Thanks Mr. Timothy for bringing back memories!
How I love this video! It is sad to see my hometown sitting with so many empty buildings and lots. Growing up in the 70s, that little town was our whole world. After working in the tobacco patch all week during summers, we'd go downtown Saturday afternoon and spend $5.00 of the money we earned however we chose, our barefeet blistering on that hot asphalt in the parking lot. We had a movie theater, dress shops, a jewelry store, a furniture store, record shop, Eagles Five and Dime, Enterprise newspaper, banks, a hardware store (Martin Supply), fish market, shoe store, dry cleaners, and the R&C restaurant that had an extensive menu of southern food and it was so good and dirt cheap. Any week day, you would find that place buzzing with businessmen, farmers, regular ole town/country folks... seemed like everybody in there always knew each other. My favorite meal was a hotdog all the way, some cornbread and a glass of sweet tea. And that enormous store on the corner, formerly Scheels, was Belk Tyler's department store, which was high-priced for our poor family, but I sure did love going in there. There was a really wide staircase on both sides that led up to a second level, and boy did that store feel ritzy and like something right out of the big city! Never went downtown without at least trying to get a cherry coke from Clarks and we always came in through the back screen door, right on through the dusty, dark storage area full of boxes on shelves. We sure got a lot of hoop cheese from Martin Supply, but I seldom went in there because that was "a store for menfolk," I was told. And there they would be, sitting around on old ladderback chairs, chewing tobacco and solving all the world's problems. Then, big department stores like Roses, K-Mart, and Walmart came to these new shopping plazas and folks didnt need to go downtown as much. And downtown, that had been bustling and booming for many decades, began to die. I am glad to see some history painted on the sides of those buildings! I sure hope businesses move back in and save what is left. Thank you for getting rained on to document this town center for us, Timothy! It sure does mean a lot to me.
And your memories mean a lot to me. People need to hear how good it was before the big chains and corporations decided they wanted to be the only game in down. We need our mom and pop stores to return. It’s the only way we can have self-sufficient towns. Hope you have a great day and thanks for sharing your wonder years.
Williamston, NC's historic town center is impressive, has a very nice, functional layout, and is completely ripe for a total historic architectual overhaul/makeover and revitalization/restoration of its beautiful late 19th/early 20th century buildings. Williamston hosts several annual festivals in its town center to include: (1) The Carolina Stampede Music Festival, which features music, food, arts and crafts, and entertainment for all ages. The festival takes place during the last weekend of September and fills the streets with much excitement with nearly 100 vendors, and entertainment acts for the entire family; a very popular event. (2) The Spring Water Festival features a 5k Spring Water Run, a show for customized vehicles, and rides on a restored fire engine. The festival is usually held during the 4th weekend in August; it too is a popular event. (3) Williamston's Worship Festival draws a large crowd and features contemporary Christian music for the entire family. I enjoyed this walk/talk tour of Williamston's town center, "Frenchy" GOD bless!
Another southern town with a lot of history. A shame that these towns are having a hard time handing on, but it looks like they are doing their best to hang in there with the upgrade of several buildings. I wish them well.
I lived there and I really enjoyed it. You can actually walk the whole town. I can remember eating lunch by the river. Thanks Mr. Timothy for bringing back memories!
You’re welcome 👍
Thanks Mr. French. I haven't been in that area since I was 7ish about 50+ years ago. My momma was raised on the East coast of NC.
You’re welcome. I’m glad I could take you back.👍
Thank you for another educational video Timothy.
Thank you for being a subscriber 👍
Stay safe and get good rest too!🌟
I will, thanks
How I love this video! It is sad to see my hometown sitting with so many empty buildings and lots. Growing up in the 70s, that little town was our whole world. After working in the tobacco patch all week during summers, we'd go downtown Saturday afternoon and spend $5.00 of the money we earned however we chose, our barefeet blistering on that hot asphalt in the parking lot. We had a movie theater, dress shops, a jewelry store, a furniture store, record shop, Eagles Five and Dime, Enterprise newspaper, banks, a hardware store (Martin Supply), fish market, shoe store, dry cleaners, and the R&C restaurant that had an extensive menu of southern food and it was so good and dirt cheap. Any week day, you would find that place buzzing with businessmen, farmers, regular ole town/country folks... seemed like everybody in there always knew each other. My favorite meal was a hotdog all the way, some cornbread and a glass of sweet tea. And that enormous store on the corner, formerly Scheels, was Belk Tyler's department store, which was high-priced for our poor family, but I sure did love going in there. There was a really wide staircase on both sides that led up to a second level, and boy did that store feel ritzy and like something right out of the big city! Never went downtown without at least trying to get a cherry coke from Clarks and we always came in through the back screen door, right on through the dusty, dark storage area full of boxes on shelves. We sure got a lot of hoop cheese from Martin Supply, but I seldom went in there because that was "a store for menfolk," I was told. And there they would be, sitting around on old ladderback chairs, chewing tobacco and solving all the world's problems.
Then, big department stores like Roses, K-Mart, and Walmart came to these new shopping plazas and folks didnt need to go downtown as much. And downtown, that had been bustling and booming for many decades, began to die. I am glad to see some history painted on the sides of those buildings! I sure hope businesses move back in and save what is left. Thank you for getting rained on to document this town center for us, Timothy! It sure does mean a lot to me.
And your memories mean a lot to me. People need to hear how good it was before the big chains and corporations decided they wanted to be the only game in down.
We need our mom and pop stores to return. It’s the only way we can have self-sufficient towns.
Hope you have a great day and thanks for sharing your wonder years.
Williamston, NC's historic town center is impressive, has a very nice, functional layout, and is completely ripe for a total historic architectual overhaul/makeover and revitalization/restoration of its beautiful late 19th/early 20th century buildings. Williamston hosts several annual festivals in its town center to include: (1) The Carolina Stampede Music Festival, which features music, food, arts and crafts, and entertainment for all ages. The festival takes place during the last weekend of September and fills the streets with much excitement with nearly 100 vendors, and entertainment acts for the entire family; a very popular event. (2) The Spring Water Festival features a 5k Spring Water Run, a show for customized vehicles, and rides on a restored fire engine. The festival is usually held during the 4th weekend in August; it too is a popular event. (3) Williamston's Worship Festival draws a large crowd and features contemporary Christian music for the entire family. I enjoyed this walk/talk tour of Williamston's town center, "Frenchy" GOD bless!
Another awesome post. God bless you as well, Kenneth.
Another southern town with a lot of history. A shame that these towns are having a hard time handing on, but it looks like they are doing their best to hang in there with the upgrade of several buildings. I wish them well.
I agree and wish the well too.
Thanks for watching 👍
Dang all the empty store fronts. So sad
It is.
Another desolate town in NC❤️