50 YEARS AGO
Milton Jordan of Stedman, 68
Jordan today
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Jordan, circa 1954
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If his memory serves him right, Jordan started work at Holmes Electric on Hay Street on April 15, 1954. That was just four days before the Cumberland County Bicentennial celebration got under way. Five years ago, he retired from the company after working there for more than 43 years. Jordan is a deputy chief of the Stedman Fire Department.
"The main thing I noted, most of the men had a beard. I did, too, what little I could grow. Some of the ladies were dressed up in some fancy outfits. I remember Mrs. Kate Bailey, and I could remember her dressed up."
"I think that Fayetteville and Cumberland County, to me, have basically come a right long way. I know that we lost a lot of places downtown. Businesses downtown and all. Holmes Electric is one that has stuck around all these years. I know when they built the mall, things started changing. It's lost downtown, and I think now they're trying to come back a little bit. It's been a lot of changes, and even in the county. More homes are being built around Stedman, which for a long time you didn't see. You can see (in) every part of the county (that) there has got a lot of construction work going on."
Minnie Washington of Fayetteville, 86
Washington today
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Washington in 1956
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At the time of the celebration, Washington was employed as a receptionist for Dr. C. Mason Quick on Gillespie Street. Growing up, she lived off River Road. She got married while attending Armstrong High School. Later, she worked in food at Fort Bragg.
"It's been a good change. Along then, Kress's (five-and-dime department store on Hay Street) had fountains for whites and one for the blacks. It had cold ice water for the whites; it had just regular water for blacks. I know. I was nosy."
"That was one of the best parades. I remember from Raeford, this black school had a marching band. Everybody raved over them. They looked real nice, and they put on a show. I heard some comments from some whites. They were saying that's the only reason they came - to see the girls perform. I was standing out on Hay Street."
Wilson Yarborough Jr. of Fayetteville, 74
Yarborough today
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Yarborough during the 1930s
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Yarborough said his father, Wilson F. Yarborough Sr., was probably still running the Yarborough Motor Co. in 1954.
Two years later, Wilson took over as president of the company.
"I recall going downtown and watching the parade. It was a good parade. It wasn't the average parade that we have because the whole city got caught up in the celebration. That, in itself, made it a really nice parade."
"Boy, have things changed! They really have. Of course, you've got the advent of television and computers and all the electrical devices. Digital cameras. All that stuff. Automobiles are much more modern with navigation systems and self-analysis modules in there. Things have really changed a lot since those days."
Dr. Bob Stapleton of Hope Mills, 78
Stapleton
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Stapleton, a native of Americus, Ga., moved to Fayetteville in 1949. That same year, he and veterinarian W.O. Slappey went into partnership together. They built Cape Fear Animal Hospital in 1950 and sold out 31 years later.
"They had horses, and one of them acted up. Horses - that's a dangerous situation. I remember the incident with the horse" during a Cumberland County tribute production on the Fayetteville High School football field. "It was a rather frightening affair."
U.S. 301 "used to be my private thoroughfare to get into town, and it's filled up with cars. I live just south of (N.C.) 59. So much out here has built up. Cypress Lakes and everything. If you don't have change, and you don't adapt to change, you're going backwards. You're standing still. A better place back then? I wouldn't say it's a better place. I would say it's a different place. As things advance in life, I think they're for the better."
Monroe Evans of Fayetteville, 88
Evans today
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Evans then
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Fifty years ago, Evans was in the furniture business running Evans Furniture Co. on Gillespie Street, across from the old courthouse. His father, Isaac, had founded the company in the early 1900s. Four years after the bicentennial celebration, Monroe sold the business. Among other civic service, he served as mayor of Fayetteville from 1965 to 1969.
"The heart of Fayetteville was downtown. Everything was down there. And the Jaycees were still running their fair. I can remember at Guiton's hot dog and hamburger place on Franklin Street, you could get a hot dog or a hamburger for a nickel."
D.P. Russ Jr. of Fayetteville, 86
Russ today
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Russ then
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Russ was born in Bladen County and grew up in Fayetteville. By 1954, he was out of the military and practicing law with Oates, Quillin and Russ. Russ practiced law in Fayetteville for 58 years. His resume is lengthy. It includes an eight-year appointment to the board of trustees of the University of North Carolina.
"It makes you know we have a historically old county here. It makes you more interested in the history as it plays out. A lot of people seem to not like Fayetteville, but I love it. I think it's a great place."
Jack Clark of Fayetteville, 58
Clark today
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Clark in fifth grade
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His father, the late "Cap" Clark, was the owner of Clark Sporting Goods Co. in 1954. At that time, the business operated on Hay Street, across from Sears. Jack was 9 during the weeklong celebration. He has been working at Clark Sporting Goods for 34 years.
"I remember most of the men growing beards, and if they didn't, they would fine you. It was a big to-do back in those days. I remember going to the store, and they had a bunch of activities downtown. I think I came to the parade."
"Downtown, across the street, was the Prince Charles. It was very active. We had Sears, Penney's and Belk. The Capitol, Fleishman's Big Store. And Leon Sugar, I think, was there at that time. Stein Brothers. Downtown was very active. That's where everybody came. But things change."
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