Blog friend, James Whitlow, has sent another old postcard for us to enjoy. This one shows the Methodist Church in Quitman AR around 1911. Look at that 1 cent stamp on the card and the time stamp, which is no longer used. Now we need a Quitman person to tell us whether the church is still there or long gone as so many smaller churches everywhere have disappeared.
And here is the backside of the card with the usual nice message to a friend or family.
Thanks, James Whitlow.
I love these old churches...I just watched a documentary on the Shakers...the buildings were so plain that they spoke volumes...high ceilings...wood floors...long windows...and love the white siding...the two doors has always fascinated me both in homes and public buildings...but it was balanced...I understand the reasoning in some religions but it appears as though two front doors was common among several...is there an explaination for the two front doors to this building? Or does anyone know...I sure wish it was still standing...I guess I'm full of questions today...so why don't we have church post cards these days? It appears to be a good idea to me...people purchase post cards when they visit other places of interest...hmmm...maybe I should stop thinking for one day...smiles. Thanks for sharing this treasure.
I'm writing from my hotel room in Oak Park, Illinois. I swear that church is still there! Of course, it's probably a Baptist church, but the one I pass by every time I go thru Quitman on the way to Conway or Little Rock...looks just like it. I'll take a picture when I get back home.
Anita, you're prpbably thinking of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church on HWY 25 in Guy, AR. It's about 8 miles from Quitman. Enjoy your Fullerfest!
Thanks, Tony Cannon!
Mary, the r's are rather interesting. Remember the slow cramped style of the old writing. It had to be precise and readable. They never knew the rush, rush of today's world and when they wrote on the back of a card it probably took them longer than it takes us to type a page! Did you read or hear that they are about to quit teaching cursive in school!
Don, that is also the place with the bears in the yard? Right? It was featured on this blog too.
Debbie, I need to put up a picture of our old church on Hwy 36 and do some comparing. This one appears to also be two stories. It may have been a more upscale model at the time. I'll see if I can find picture of Smyrna Church.
Ok, Anita, go out and accept all those adulations (well deserved) and come home and get back to work at your sleuthing job. I still think your major victory was at Heber Springs with the rock house.
Don, she can't mistake that big church for the little one!
Here's what James has to say about the double doors.
I notice that you have the Quitman Church on right now. I think the double doors were for men to use one door and the women to use the other door. Also, the men and women would sit on opposite sides. The country Baptist Church that I went to when I was young (1950's), the older folks would sit on the opposite side from each other. Hope to get back on line soon and send some more scans.
James
Thanks, Mr. James...I thought that was the reasoning but wasn't sure if Methodist followed that pattern or not. Thanks for sharing...
Ms. Barbara, your blog is a great source for Arkansas History...there is more to history than just the BIG things...keep it coming! Thanks!
Debbie, thank you so much for complimenting my blog. Will I see you at a history house today?
Don needs to drive around "downtown" Quitman the next time he attends the reunion. I pass by the side of a white, wooden church everytime I go to Conway. There is an old cemetary behind it. I've walked around in it, looking at the gravestones. I shall take a picture coming home from Oak Park.....IF I remember to.
I am NOT mistaking any of those modern looking churches Don thinks I am.
Ouch, I've been Anitaestisized! I will have to wait until my cousin replies or until October 6th when I go to the cousin's reunion.
Mr. Googleman hasn't spotted anything as I drive HWY 25 in the Quitman area. I even used Google Earth for a bird's eye of the route. Of course, there's nothing like being there in person to look around.
Yes, Ms. Barbara...I think that house qualified to be "history"...It says that it was built in 1937 but it looks more like the first remodeling was done about that time to me...ha...wish someone had gotten it before the last...hmmm..."renovations"? Smiles...I guess we will see...we had a nice visit anyway...
Anita, get home with your camera.
Don, another good old "anitaestisization!" Fun, fun, fun. Remember that old song, "We'll have fun, fun, fun, til her daddy takes the T-bird away?" Remember that some of the old places have so many trees that the google view is not very clear.
Debbie, it was fun to show the family the history house on Capps Road.
Barbara,
That is a great find. Thanks for sharing this card and history with us. :)
Steve
Steve, thanks for the feature.
Anita, you are falling down on the job. Also, we do need a report on the Fullerfest.
I will get there with my camera as soon as we both can recover from this trip. It was amazing. The Queen and King of England could not have been treated better than we were by those "kids" (now 40-50 yrs. old)....
I'm pretty sure this is the same church but with only one door.
Anita, I'm glad you had a great time. Don't decide to move back up there though. We look forward to the picture.
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