By Bob Braddy
The J.V. Martin Auditorium is filled with memories for me and I know there are many in the community who share some of mine and have many more of their own.
This auditorium was built in the 1930’s as a WPA project during the F.D. Roosevelt administration. It has a seating capacity of about 1100 and includes the balcony. The interior design is beautiful and the acoustics are remarkable.
My high school days were the war years- 1941-1945. Mr. J.V. Martin was our Superintendent but he was more than that. He was our teacher, disciplinarian, and patriotic motivator. At the end of the school day on Fridays, all of the students would assemble in the auditorium for assembly. There would be announcements, student programs, and always singing. Mr. Martin would be our leader and inspirer. We would sing lots of patriotic songs such as “God Bless America,” “The White Cliffs of Dover,” and always “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Bobby MacDonald, who has made a career as a renowned pianist, was a student then. We would call his name and demand that he go on stage and play the Steinway Grand piano for us. “Boogie Woogie” was popular then and he could really cut lose with it. Sometimes he would invite me to come up and sit beside him on the piano bench, using my right hand to make it a duet. What a thrill that was for me!
On the last day of my senior year, several of us guys agreed that it was a great day to go to Harllee’s Bridge for a swim. That was our favorite place on the Little Pee Dee near Little Rock. Swimming pools were virtually non-existent. It was a test of manhood to stand on the rail of the bridge and dive into the dark, cold water below. (I managed to do it many times!)
That day we plunged in and swam across the river to a platform that had been built for swimmers who were good enough to reach it. We all made it and were sitting there when we looked back and could not believe our eyes. There, paddling toward us, was Mr. Martin! He was coming to join us and we didn’t quite know how to address him. He had been our teacher, superintendant, disciplinarian, and role model. But now he was just our friend. He stayed with us for a long while and what had been an ordinary swim in the river became a memorable moment.
Plans are now underway to place a Historic Marker on the street in front of J.V. Martin Auditorium and his name will certainly be on it. Who knows, maybe someday the opportunity will come along to renovate and restore that beautiful venue and the community will use it again as a gathering place for many varied events.
If that happens, I hope they don’t change the name!
