The Greentown Grapevine – 2003-05, 10:05

              “ a paper for the people“ May 2003 .
Two ceremonies were held recently A Ribbon Cutting and. An Unveiling
Grand Opening
in eastern Howard County which
recalled the past and celebrated tbe
present and future.
- - Beginnings Honoring the Past
The Greentown Historical Society
opened its newly renovated building to
the public on Sunday, April 27. The
building at 103 E. Main Street had
been empty for about three years
before they acquired it.
At the time the historical society
gained title, a new roof was the first
order of business. Then at least five
dumpster loads of material were
removed. Insulation, new heating,
~ cooling, and wiring will provide
controlled temperature and humidity
which are necessary for best
preservation of donated items intended I
for Preservation. The Abby Rose, Junior member; Connie Rendfeld, Associate Rirector, Local History Se_ rvices Office, Indigna Historical Society;
included stairs with a slmet- side. RacW JeMins, President, Greenfawn Hjstorbc3Ss&~ H~ t; l& Bur ce- president, Comr( 7unity’F oundation of Howard
eptrance. New stairs were built with County; Jamesgarris, President, Greentown Town Concil: and e @& ulin,% Jgmnm& re mber, pafim the ribbon
inside- only access. An interesting cutting cere y of the GreenJown Historical Society building on April 27,2’ 0 03. ( Mare photos on pgs. 1)
feature of the interior is a brick Ph‘ oro by Sarah Cotton
fireplace which had been covered with
three coats of paint and paneling. Tin Learning about the history of the New Life for an Old
ceilillg palleis Were salvaged from the building is on- going, but this much is
Brad Howell Ford building on South known: It was the Commercial ~ Exactly one hundred years after the
Meridian before it was demolished. the State Bank Of Greentownsa barber State Bank of Greentown was
These were cleaned, painted and organized and occupied the building, it
installed as the ceiling for the gallery.
Historical Society’s mission will take
Building many forms, most yet to be
implemented. A comment is often
heard, “ 1 wish I could get in a time
machine and see what it was back
I TIle brick facade was cleaned and Greentown, Production Credit will become a repository of~ listorical thought is, “ I wish I could get in atime
TIle inappropriate Association office, a video rental store items froln eastern Howard County machine and go into the future and see
gas station, cigar store, pool hally
I offices for the State Bank of will again Serve the cornmun~ tyl~ t when ......” An equally intflguing
awning was relnoved above the first
floor windows and colored glass business- The upstairs‘ been generations to learn of the people and people understand the motivation,
ande Office for a home heakh Care which will enable titis and future ‘ loww hat we are doingn ow is
ab&, e second story offices, dining room for the Eastern
Star and an apartment.
events which shaded
teaching aspect of the Greentown
area. This beliefs, adversities, etc. ofthose who
windows. went before.”
Community “ Reclaims Their Town”
For several years the residents of 1902 and boasted a population of
Guy have talked about having road about 40, including some businesses.
signs erected proclaiming the name of A family responsible for a large
their “ town”. You’ll find it on state percentage of later population was the
highway maps but there has been no Carpenters. Edward and Grace
sign to confirm its existence. Carpenter moved to Guy in 1949 and
bocated at 800 E and 300 S, raised eleven children. Of that
residents on the north side ofthe road number, tworemain in Guy, Helen and’
are in Liberty Township, while those her brother Jerry. Jerry has been
on the south are in Taylor Township. dubbed the “ Mayor of Guy”. , Other
Helen ( Carpenter) Hammer, referred to . families of that era were the Sparlings
as the “ Historian of Guy”, says that at and the Clintons. The- residents, both
one time it was expected that state long- standing and new, paid for the
road 26 would lie on 300 South. The signs. The “ Welcome to Guy” sign is
house she now lives in was built to be on the west side of town. Smaller
a gas station, in anticipation of the signs are north and south, proclaiming
road becoming a state highway. simply “ Guy”.
H- ow. ever , highway 26 was put on 400 With all this sineage, Guy now tops