Blairsville History

[blairsvilleangel]

This would be an interesting read for others to know, who do not have the past experience of living here back in the earlier years.

[summerose]

When I moved to Blairsville in 1977 the only fast food restuarant in town was the Tastee-Freeze. The only other 2 restuarants were the Blairsville Restuarant and the Hole in the Wall. A very old house stood where Papa's Pizza is now, and another old house was across the street from Foodland. Alot of new buildings have been built since then including the new court house and post office.

[oscarwho]

One of the most knowledgeable people of Union co. history is Mrs. Eva Frazier in Suches.That lady is remarkable.I think she is 94 years young and her mind is as sharp as ever. Someone should get her life story.she loves company and loves to talk. She and her husband once had planes and flew sick and injured to hospitals; Probably one of the early med planes. I love the lady. She and Ellswood were very chairatable and the best around .

[summerose]

Dora Spiva is 102 years old and knows alot about this county. She was a teacher for many years in the Union County school system. I'm sure she has many funny stories to tell about her students.

[oscarwho]

Do not know Mrs. Spiva but most teachers do have many interesting storys . Mabe someone could interview her as well. this would be education indeed .

[oscarwho]

Maybe a live interview would work if all partys are in agreement. With interview on disc friends and families would have stored history.

[daydreamer]

The only other 2 restuarants were the Blairsville Restuarant and the Hole in the Wall.

I'm not clear as to the dates of the following establishments, but there was a restaurant in the building where the B & W paint store is now; 'Coffee House' was the name of it and there was also one next door to Owltown store.

[shortcircuit]

daydreamer said:

The only other 2 restuarants were the Blairsville Restuarant and the Hole in the Wall.

I'm not clear as to the dates of the following establishments, but there was a restaurant in the building where the B & W paint store is now; 'Coffee House' was the name of it and there was also one next door to Owltown store.

Before the coffee house came along there was a restaurant there called the Quick Chef, it had gooooood hamburgers. What is now Catfish Corner used to be called Owltown Restaurant, it was where people had reunions, anniversary and birthday parties. There was also a restaurant on the gainesville hwy beside the campground but I can't remember the name of it, it closed sometime in the 70's.

[honeybee]

Catfish Corner/ OwlTown Restaurant was owned by J. Harkins.

Across from Foodland there was also a house that got moved, now it is an empty lot.

Sky City, Colwell's Department Store and Alexander's were just about the only place you could buy "store bought dresses" unless you made them yourself.

The little white, wooden building used for the elementary school use to site about where the Confederate Memot=rial is now.

Mason's Texaco on the square where you could wash and detail your car or they would do it for you.

The old Blairsville Post Office, now the Book Nook. Marshall Rose (my step grandfather), did the rock that was on the outside of the building and also on the houses you see around the area, that are half-brick half flat rock.

When the current middle school, used to be the new high school, was the ONLY building on the hill.

The big baptist church in town used to be the Tastee Freeze, Alfred's IGA, Blairsville Hardware and the laundromat were our first strip mall.

[honeybee]

Monet's and the Best Western used to be the Milton Inn.

Napoli's used to be Carolina Dress factory.

The whatever shop across from the pawn shop behind the Hole In the Wall used to be Lance Drugstore. I do remember Mrs. Lance in there working and Jack Lance as pharmacist. Pleasant and nice and helpful.

I remember before the overpass was there and the 4 lane was 2 lane. From Helen all the way to Blue Ridge and beyond.

[honeybee]

The road from Blairsville to Blue Ridge seemed like one the longest roads ever to me. If felt like we were going over 50 miles somewhere.

[summerose]

It did seem really long!

[summerose]

Honeybee, That was Collin's Department Store, not Colwell's.

I sure do miss it and Sky City!

[karmaxtrodinair]

Collins had grasshopper shoes that my grandmother LOVED.lol! They also had hang ten! heehe!

Summerose, me and you both! It was nice to have these stores here!

My mother worked at Sky City and thats the happiest job she ever had. The people she worked with was ALL great!

Standard Telephone was the name of our only telephone service here. You didn't have to dial the whole 745 exchange..lol you dialed 5- **** and that would ring ya right up.. we had party line too... this could be amusing.. or it could really be aggravating!

The Tasteeeee Freeeeze - miss that too! Good times!

I miss the old rec pool. Our new one is very nice but I do miss the old one too.

[tessa]

blairsvilleangel said:

This would be an interesting read for others to know, who do not have the past experience of living here back in the earlier years.

Thanks for starting this topic. Although I've been here for only a few years, the postings remind me about the small town I grew up in.