Schley County GaArchives Photo Place.....Ellaville Eclipse Park Circa 1900 c.1900 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ernie Jones http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00032.html#0007882 April 10, 2007, 10:50 am Source: Personal Photo Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/schley/photos/ellavill12620gph.jpg Image file size: 114.8 Kb It's no secret that most small town folks congregate and do business in and around the Post Office and the Courthouse. There are numerous stories regarding those activities that I won't go into here, but are well documented in the book, "HISTORY OF SCHLEY COUNTY GEORGIA". Some of MY favorite memories are of my daddy regaling me with HIS favorite memories in and around the courthouse....and of HIS father's memories of the same. This is the earliest known photograph of the current Schley county courthouse. The most intriguing part of the photo isn't necessarily the Courthouse itself, but the structure adjacent to it. That structure is known by various names, that is: Band Shell, Cupola, Gazebo, Belvedere, etc. Ellaville's band shell was a "two- story" affair. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, most towns would have their own band. These bands, currently known today as community bands, would perform their music at special events much like the military band, but would often play at simple scheduled concerts. Ellaville had such a band......The Eclipse Band. Through the efforts of renowned Ellaville Historian, Harris Hill, we know the history of that band, and how it came to be so named...THE ECLIPSE BAND. It follows this message, below. Read and enjoy. Ernie --------------- The Schley County News Thursday, April 26, 1894 A CITY PARK FOR ELLAVILLE Prof. Len Baldwin has been foremost in a movement to provide a public park for our pretty town. The place selected is west of the square and is indeed a beautiful site with fine shade trees and it (is) worthy of the name it will bear, Eclipse Park. It will be laid off in serpentine walks, flower beds, etc., with a tennis court and croquet ground. The windmill close by will furnish water for an artificial lake. Rustic seats will be placed over the ground while in the center a band stand will be built in the most attractive style. Weekly concerts will be given. Mr. Baldwin is meeting with every encouragement, money for the bandstand has already been raised and the contract let out. The ladies are requested to furnish flowers and we know they will gladly render their aid in beautifying the Park. Mr. Baldwin wishes the ladies to meet him at Mrs. Hornady's Saturday afternoon on business of importance. ---------------- The Schley County News Thursday, May 3, 1894 WORK ON THE PARK PROGRESSING FINELY Monday afternoon the ground was broken on the site, beautifully laid off by Prof. Len Baldwin for a Park. The young men with "de shovel and hoe" have been working industriously every spare moment. All the aid and encouragement we can give them will be but poor compensation for their labors, which are expended sorely for the benefit of town. These young men are public benefactors, surely their efforts to beautify the town are appreciated by everyone. ----------------- The Schley County News Thursday, May 24, 1894 A GALA OCCASION Ellaville Eclipse Park Dedicated. Inspiring Music and Oratory. A Day Long To Be Remembered. The dedication of the park was an event of unusual interest to the people of our pretty town, and Prof. Baldwin has every reason to feel proud of the success of this enterprise, to which for the past month he has lent his best energies. A large crowd gathered under the beautiful oaks at four o'clock, to listen to a delightful musical program tendered by the celebrated Sanford sisters of Boston, Mass., assisted by the Newnan band. The music was simply grand. Col. J.R. Williams orator of the day, fully sustained his reputation as a pleasant speaker and held the close attention of the crowd. After the notes of the music had died away, Mrs. E.R. Sanford in graceful manner read the following original poem dedicated to Prof. Baldwin. It was a fitting close. Among the fragrant leafy woods Mid May flowers in bright array There gathered friends from far and near To celebrate this glad day. Then join in mirth and music, And with oratory grand We'll commemorate the name of Ellaville Eclipse Band. May the bright inspiring music Ever throw a charm around, And every effort of the band With great success be crowned. May all bestow with grateful hearts The honor due to one Who came to you a stranger, But every heart has won. Who with inspiring courage, Taught each his part to know, Until their efforts all combined This great result to show. Now in your little city This last great enterprise Will bring you constant pleasure While fond memories arise. And each fair young lady helper With flowers so willing came Will be an honor to the place That bears a woman's name. Then dedicate this lovely park, And may it ever stand A monument of beauty In your sunny southern land. May every hope this work inspired Be blessed a hundred fold, And the pleasures dating from this day In numbers be untold. ---------------- Prof. Len Baldwin has offered a prize of $5.00 to the one growing the best bed of flowers in the Eclipse Park by September 1st. Judges from Americus will decide. Now go to work and win the prize. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Of all the numerous definitions and synonyms for the word "ECLIPSE", I choose to believe the following as it relates to Ellaville's ECLIPSE BAND at the turn of the century...........That OTHER Century....over 107 years ago: ECLIPSE: The state of being entirely whole: completeness, entirety, integrity, oneness, wholeness. -- An amount or quantity from which nothing is left out or held back: aggregate, all, entirety, everything, gross, sum, total, whole. -- Idioms: everything but/except the kitchen sink, lock, stock, and barrel, the whole/ball of wax/kit and caboodle/megillah/nine yards/shebang. Ernie Jones File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/schley/photos/ellavill12620gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb