Stainback General Store

I am just automatically drawn to old, broken down buildings. They are wonderful reminders of a simpler time, when the world was a kinder place... ...at least, that's the way I look at it. ~ I have loved seeing this old store building for many years. I could have just taken my photos of it and slapped them on my post without elaborating... ...but I thought, why not tell the story about it? This is the old Stainback General Store, which is currently being restored... ...notice the new porch with new tin roof. This old store is an historical landmark in the town where I live in North Carolina. source This is the way it has looked for many years, before the restoration was started. Currently, the historical society has purchased it, is restoring it and will be making it into a museum. I don't know though...I kinda like it all broken down, don't you? ~  I have passed by this old place quite often over the past fifteen or so years... ...since the birth of my first grandson. His other grandma (Nana) lives right through the group of tree surrounding it. The other day when I took the boys to her house, I decided to stop and take some pics. The Stainback General Store is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was that smart, oldest grandson of mine who told me this... ...having done all of the research about it since he has spent much of his life, just a hop, skip and a jump away from it :)  It was built in 1891 from the remnants of the old Cross Roads Presbyterian Church (which stood directly across the road), after the new church was constructed. I just love the rusty old Coca Cola and Pepsi signs covering the windows. Across the street, was the local sawmill and the caskets that were made there and were stored right up here on the second floor. source The original church was equipped with a slave gallery, I assume something common in churches during that time period. The photo below is what the church looks like today. source The cemetery that makes up part of the churchyard, has over 250 stones, the earliest dating from 1796.  Because the slave graves are unmarked, there are many more people buried than there are markers.  source Now, comes really the cool part... ...author Alex Haley of “Roots” fame visited Cross Roads and researched his ancestors who lived in this very county in North Carolina.  In 1977, one year after the mini-series “Roots” debuted on television,  a documentary entitled “Roots—One Year Later” was filmed at Cross Roads.  ~  Wouldn't you love to know all of goings on behind those doors? This is an old photo I discovered online of a couple of locals playing checkers out front of the store. How cool is that?  source The old building has served multiple purposes over the years, from a photography studio, a shoe and clock repair shop, post office and of course, a general store. They closed the doors in 1973 due to the condition of the building. ~ Here, I added some effects to "olden" it up a bit. So now you know a few things about the old Stainback General Store, and some NC history...whether you wanted to or not. I hope you have enjoyed your history lesson :)