Source: History of The Pan-Handle Submitted to the USGenWeb Project Archives by: Janet Waite This file may be copied freely, but may not be copied for profitable gains. FAIRVIEW THE TOWN IN 1814 The town as it appeared in 1814 is gathered from a couple of old gentlemen. Their memories corroborate as nearly as possible. First, a house stood where the "Virginia House" is located; one where Mr. Lloyd's residence is found; one occupying the ground upon which Squire Plattenburg lives; one where Moore's store is situated; one where the "Manchester House" stands, (it is claimed that that is the original building still remaining of the few.) Joseph Gamble kept a hotel; Solomon Cook, a saddler shop; Dr. McLain, practiced medicine; Samuel Moore kept store; David Kerns carried on hatting where Prosecuting Attorney Marshall's residence is now located; Thomas Moore kept a hotel in the Manchester House; a lady known as Aunt Betty Brown kept a "Tippler's house" in a house situated between the Manchester House and McFlanegan's; Old Jacob Compton carried on the cooper business, and Louis Cline and B. Allison followed blacksmithing. It contained a population of about sixty. Its first name was New Manchester (although often called Pughtown), and went by that name for a great many years. The village never improved very much until the county-seat was fixed here, then it received an impetus which continued but for a season and subsided. It has neither natural nor artificial advantages to ever make a commercial point. It is situated three miles from the river, at the nearest place, and as far from the railroad. It receives a daily mail by hack. The inhabitants are social, hospitable and intelligent, generally speaking. On February 10, 1871, it was incorporated as Fairview, but owing to extra expenses, taxes came too heavily upon its citizens, and it was requested by them to have the act of incorporation abrogated, and accordingly,on December 20, 1873, it was repealed. The population will not exceed 450, at the present time. It has not improved any withing the last few years. A good substantial school building, which does credit to the town, was erected a few years ago.