Contributed Article
The Dillon County Historical Society held its spring meeting at the Historic Kemper School near Lake View, SC. The Lake View Area Vice-President, Karen Cook, hosted the meeting. The members and guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the hostess. The tables were beautifully decorated.
After dinner, the business meeting was held. The meeting was called to order by President Johnnie Luehrs who welcomed everyone. Visitors were introduced and welcomed. Jean Sox gave the secretary’s report. In the absence of the treasurer Earnie Barrentine, Johnnie Luehrs gave the treasurer’s report.
Betty Lou Barclay, Resource Manager, gave a report. A group of senior citizens from North Carolina toured the historical sites in Latta and Dillon in April and enjoyed visits in Latta to The Dillon County Museum, Caboose, Veterans Park including the Old Post Office/General Store and the School. Tour guides for these sites were Corky Lane and Abbott Shelley.
In Dillon, the group visited the Historic Dillon County Courthouse and the J.W. Dillon House. Thelma Ann Burns was the docent on duty and tour guide for the visitors.
Recently, approximately 90 students from Stewart Heights Elementary School enjoyed their annual egg hunt at the Dillon House.
The Dillon House has recently received an Interpretive Wayside Panel that is placed outside near the entrance. It has pictures pertaining to the museum shown on the panel board. The public is invited to visit the Dillon House and see this new addition that was received as part of the Heritage Trail.
Yolanda McCormick, Vice-President introduced our guest speaker Mr. Bill Fitzpatrick who is from Greenville, SC. He spoke on “Magnificent Historical Registered Landmarks in South Carolina.”
Our speaker was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. He attended the University of South Carolina and earned an MBA degree. He remained in the state and has lived most of his life in the South. He has enjoyed a long-term career in sales.
Bill is a successful author and photographer and has written about his many interesting experiences. His book, Bottoms Up, America! was written about his “Once in a Lifetime Journeys” after bicycling across the United States with his former college roommate. He also wrote another book, Destination: India, Destiny: Unknown, a three week journey beyond the Taj and behind the symbols.
His program was about his most recent project, which was a remarkable effort to visit all of our state’s National Historic Register landmarks. He told about his travels within the state locating the landmarks, some of which were not in existence anymore. He answered questions asked by some of the members.
His writings concerning our state’s landmarks are:
South Carolina’s Magnificent Historic Register Landmarks: The Upstate
South Carolina’s Magnificent Historic Register Landmarks: The Midlands
South Carolina’s Magnificent Historic Register Landmarks: The Coast
All of these are available on Amazon.
The members enjoyed this most interesting program and the president thanked him for coming. The meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be September 19, 2013.
