Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1954-06-16
Old Home Ranks Among Tabor's
Most Prominent Landmarks
BY HAROLD JORDAN

Although Tabor City is not
particularly noted for its histori-
cal landmarks there is one house
that creates interest and conversa-
tion when landmarks are discuss
ed.
Some refer To th2 old home,
built approximatcly IS years ago,
as the travelling dwelling" 1t
has earned this title by virtue of
the Frequency with which il has
been moved from one location to
the other. 1t was moved last month
for the fifth time-Some say this
was its last move but the past
record stands in favorof the house
withstanding at least one or two
more moves.
This building first was moved
in 1899 when the SparSely settled
citizens OF Mt. Tabor las the town
was then called) became concern
ed about the education of their
children. 1t was transported for
a distance of one mile down the
Emerson Road 10 a wooded plot
where the present day grade
school stands. 1t was not the trad
itional little red school house. The
building consisted of one room
and il had never known a coat
of paint. The moving of this build
ing was the beginning of the
school system in Mt. Tabor.
w. c. Graham of Loris might
wei! be called the father of edu-
cation in Mt. Tabor as he was the
first teacher-principal of the
school.
Mr.. Graham had student body
of about 25. They were all taught
by him and in the same room.
There were only three or four
desks Gall home madc) il the
room and most of the children sat
on benches. Recitation benches
were provided and placed at the
front of the room where each class
in turn would recitc their lessons.
The teacher was a very FORUM
ate person in that day and was
comfortably equipped with a home
made table with a drawer) and
chair with a cowhide bottom.
Discipline was never any trouble
because switches were plentiful
and readily used. II a child got
a switching in school he was care
full to try and keep il from his
parents for fear of getting another
one when ne arrived at home.
In the center of the room was
heater, so placed as to radiatc
heat over the entire building This
was all right at times but think
of the ones who sat on the bench
next to the heater. 1t was the boys
duty TO keep the heater full of
wood which was stacked Just out
side the door.
An old well complete with the
facilities of one well bucket was
located behind the school and all
l.. children would drink from the
me bucket as there were no
glasses provided.
Mr.. Graham organized a Liter
airy Society in which the whole
town participated. AT a designated
time students and parents would
meet at the school and engage in
debates. reading or philosophical
talks.
In 1896 TIC town citizens took
a step forward and voted a special
sci DOL tx 70. the purpose of con-
StructinS a new school building.
The old building was then moved
across the road in the vicinity of
wheN the 1nman Funeral Home
stands today and converted into
a dwelling.
Abort 1920 il was moved back
a short distance to the lot on
which the S. T. Rogers newly
completed home now stands and
where ii remained for over 30
years.
When the construction of MIR.
Rogers new home was begun il
was necessary 20 once agGin move
the old building. This time it was
nioNeo only lew Wwcet back on
the same lot. The Rogers family
used 1t for a wdewine for short
time until their house was COM
pleted.
Finally, SIS years after it was
unrootcd from its first location
Mrs. Jabe Canady purchased this
relic and 1T was moved to a perm
anent site on East Fourth Street
where it is being given a modern
renovation for continued use as
a dwelling.
Even after the present remodel
ing work is completed and the
mouse takes on the bright new ap-
pearance, the older folks will still
be able to point with pride to
Tabor City's one outstanding land
81