Flash Backs

Gleaned from the Howard County News

September 1951

Around the Town Pump

   For the first time in many years the business district of Greentown is without a “town pump.”
   In this modern age of an ample supply of hot and cold water faucets in almost every home, a community hand pump doesn’t seem of much importance; yet, that bright yellow pump at the main intersection had practically become a land mark in this area.  More than one dear soul has been known to reply, “Greentown!  Oh, yes, that’s that pretty little town with the tree-lined wide streets and pump right in the middle of town!”
   There was a day, however, when a pump wasn’t just an obstruction on a state highway, but a necessity to the townspeople.
   More than three-quarters of a century ago, when Greentown was in its early growing stages, there was a “public” pump located on the Billy Sims’ corner just west of the present Hudson Grocery store.  The late Walter Hamer remembered this well as being practically the only well in town at that time, so many citizens were dependent on it for their water.
   Mr. Sims, being a grocer and eager to keep his customer happy, was quite generous with the well, and as a result, on Monday mornings the “town pump” was a bee hive of activity.  Even so long ago, women were doing the family laundry on Monday and Sims’ well furnished most of the water for the wash tubs.
   The procession seemed almost endless.  Numerous citizens appeared in the early morning carrying tubs or buckets which had to be filled and returned to the scene of the washing.  Many times it was necessary to make more than one trip.
   But times changed, wells became more numerous and the supply of water more plentiful.
   Still the town pump was an important item.  Town and country folks alike depended many times upon public wells for watering their horses, and when the period and scene changed once more, it was the horseless carriages that needed to be watered—

Photos from Art & Photography Show

These photos are just a sampling of what was on display during the Greentown Art & Photography Show, which was August 13, 2011.

                                                Best of Show - "Untitled" by Brandon Smith

                                                         "Aunt De'ane" by Madison Sparks

                                                          "True Love" by Sherrill Temby

                                               "Purple and White Iris" by Shirley Quakenbush

                                                    "The Glass Flower" by Marcia Brantley