HISTORY OF PEEBLES

(Its Past)

 

When the railroad was built through this community, connecting Portsmouth and Cincinnati, in 1881, Peebles was very small. The first building ever erected was a kind of tavern built by the railroad and kept by George Sexton. Another of the first buildings was a saloon which was kept where the Martin Hotel now stands. One house shown as the Nixon Hotel was of great prominence throughout Adams county as the largest and best hotel in the surrounding country. Any one coming to this section of the state was sure to stop here. Some of the other houses were those known as the Cobler, Frost and Downing houses these being the only three which have withstood the ravages of fire and time. The depot was then situated below where Neill’s store now stands, but in the big fire of 1906 it was burned and the one which we have at present was built.

 

Peebles was named in honor of John Peebles of Portsmouth who donated liberally to the building of the railroad. He also gave fifty dollars to the building of the Methodist church. When the railroad was being built through here it was quite a problem to get enough shareholders. They finally offered any one who would buy a fifty dollar share, a free ride on the train. A Mr. Florea then bought a fifty dollar share and when the railroad was completed, was very anxious to claim his reward. The conductor, however, knew nothing of the plan and Mr. Florea had to walk back home.

 

For many years after Peebles was founded there were no sidewalks, but finally they made walks of rough stones, later paving it with cement on all principal streets.

 

Some of the most important things which were conducive to the growth of Peebles, were the railroad and the rich farming land which surrounds the town. That it grew rapidly is evident by the fact that at the end of about two years, having a population of more than thirty-five, it was incorporated (1885).

The first council consisted of Mayor Cline, T. W. Elliott, J. B. Clark, B. Suffron and H. H. Bellison. The mayors up to the present time are; Newman, Cline, Nixon, Elliott, Askren, Kessler, Jackson and Custer. It was under guidance of these men that the dawn of the commercial and social era began in Peebles.

 

One of the very first buildings erected in Peebles was a store. This was owned by Mr. Joe Davis and stood at the present site of Mr. Downing’s residence. This small store with its notions and small amount of supplies, grew into a large, busy, merchandise. Yet, a littler later Mr. Platter opened a hardware store and these two stores supplied the country trade and small town population.

 

Besides the stores three saloons ' flourished here in 1888. The first saloon opened in 1881 in an old log cabin situated where the Martin Hotel now stands. In spite of the small population of Peebles these three saloons were supported. However as the population increased and time sped on, these saloons were done away with.

 

Yet. as the trade of the two commercial stores increased, other stores were opened, more employees were needed, and Peebles was surely gaining a larger number of inhabitants. The growth in value, size and number of stores might be traced largely to the rich surrounding farming country. The stone quarry and the Basic Products Company added to the town’s population and their trade. The honor of having the first tobacco warehouse in Adams county belongs to Peebles. This was opened in an» old red barn and named the Equity House. Thus, the contrast is great in the stores. Passing through Peebles in 1888 one sees the small group of: buildings, the stores, merchandise and hardware, and the saloons. While today, one is greeted with the sight of many buildings, which proves to be stores, hotels, restaurants, and other places of hustling business affairs.

 

The growth in business affairs increased the population and then the need for churches was felt.

For several years after the building of Peebles there was no church here, so an old house on Main street was used as a Methodist church until about 1837 when the Methodist church on Church street was built. This church was dedicated by Rev. Verity to whom Peebles owes not a little gratitude because of the interest he took in the upbuilding of the church he often came here and held revival meetings, through his influence, obtaining the money sufficient for the building of the church, which when it was dedicated was free from all incumbrance. This church started with a membership of sixty and a Sabbath school of the same number. The town, however, kept Increasing and feeling that church of a different denomination was needed. A few years later the Presbyterian church was built, which sufficed the needs of the people for a few years longer. The town still increasing in population as well as capital, another church was built in 1898. Thus, in about eighteen years the town could boast of three churches, the Methodist, the Presbyterian and the Christian.

 

The churches, however, were not the only Christian institution in Peebles, for 1886 the Knight of Pythias lodge was founded. This was closely followed by the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and later by the Eastern Star. Although the building up of the churches and lodges was very essential it soon became apparent that a place of amusement was needed and in 1915 the Town Hall was built and a moving picture machine installed. Thus Peebles continued to grow and keep pace with the modem times. Another modern device which Peebles also added in 1915 was the light plan to which affords her people the very best of light.

 

One of the troublesome things which Peebles has had to contend with, was that of fires. Although perhaps if we look at it in an optimistic way, we may think that it has been a great benefit to the town, as it has made the new and modern buildings necessary. The first sweeping fire which ever occurred in Peebles was in June, 1906. The fire began in the Williams restaurant as the result of a defective flue, and as the wind was very conducive to the spread of the fire, it burned southward, consuming in its wake, the Rucker newspaper office, Gaffin & Sparks livery barn, the Vernon Hotel, the Custer harness shop, a tobacco barn and the depot. All of these were serious losses both to the owners and to the community. Peebles had scarcely recovered from the effects of this fire when the north end of Main street was consumed, also by fire (about 1907). This fire started mysteriously in the Gallagher livery barn and burned everything from the corner of Main and Church streets to the old bank building where the Eldridge paper store now is. The most important loss was that of the Swisshelm store. Soon after this fire, there was yet another which consumed the other side of Main street. This one, however, did not incur such serious losses. There were also some other very important fires such as the burning of the Peebles Lumber Company in 1895 and the King Lumber Company in 1910, also Suffrons Foundry in 1897 and Fenner’s sawmill in 1898. Though Peebles had in this way suffered destruction extensively, improvements were steadily increasing in many ways.

 

One improvement which has helped Peebles greatly is the good roads. Peebles was always held back from trading with other towns on account of bad roads. Now we have many trucks from Greenfield, Dayton, Washington C. H. and Hillsboro bringing produce and different things to Peebles. Our first state road was built in 1913, from Sinking Spring to about three miles north of Peebles. The people got busy and bought the road. It was built up to the corporation line and now it runs eight miles south of Peebles, giving us good roads to the north and to the south, which is the main highway.

 

In an athletic way the base ball career of Peebles has been a great success. Besides having a few professional players produced here, we have had several championship teams. The best team was the “Rexall” with Chas. L. Perry our druggist as manager. Some of our “Big League” players are “Wiley Piatt” and “Bud Mahaffey,” both pitchers.

 

Besides various other sports, Peebles also had a fair. The first fair in Peebles was in 1900 under the directorship of Mr. John R. Thomas. The first year the fair was held on Henry Custer’s farm one mile west of Peebles. The next year it was held on Mr. Askren’s farm where the present ball park is. Mr. Thomas was director of the fair during its existence. The Peebles was the leading fair of Adams county at one time. Many fine races took place besides the riding matches and the exhibition hall. The fair was held yearly until 1905 when the second year of the Chautauqua took its place. Peebles has had sixteen chautauquas, and it has proven to be a greater help to the town and community than the fair.

 

In the year of 1904 Peebles had its first Chautauqua. Some time before this a man by the name of Tussey came here to organize a Chautauqua. The people had scarcely thought of such a course but after calling a meeting where he discussed the value of the chautauqua, it was decided to have one here. It was the first Chautauqua in Adams county and the people came from all the towns to attend. At that time it was of ten days duration, having three sessions a day. The first president was Rev. C. M. Filer, while, yet, another platform president was J. Knox Montgomery, president of Muskingum college. The chautauqua was very beneficial for Peebles, giving good platform talent from all over the United States. Some of the noted people who spoke are Eva Marshal Shontz, Richard Hobson, Wm. J. Bryan and Lou Beauchamp. People appreciating the value of the chautauqua formed Booster Clubs and took a whole day's trip to other' towns. for the purpose of boosting the chautauqua. Yet the true worth of; the Peebles chautauqua spoke for itself, for in its height people came from great distances and camped in the beautiful chautauqua park. At one time there were one hundred and seven tents in the park. It was spoken of as the "White City." But this great feature of the chautauqua died away as the other towns in Adams County obtained their own chautauqua. Then too, tents were not available in the war time, and automobiles became common enough to afford convenient transportation. Now it is a local affair, but that only adds to its interest, as all true citizens of Peebles recognize the chautauqua as the most beneficial institution for public enjoyment and welfare.

 

Another institution not to be forgotten because of the great benefit to the welfare of the people is the public school. When Peebles was new there was no school building and the children went to the Colon district until about 1888 when the first school house was built. It was a small two-story building of one room each. When this school opened there were only about seventy-five pupils, some of whom had never been in school. Professor A. C. Hood was the first superintendent. Mr. Hood was a man of very stern principles, who made the school a great success by enforcing strict rules. Mrs. Minnie Wickerham Kirk, was the other teacher.

 

After a few years the population having increased an addition of two more rooms was added. Mr. Hood was still the superintendent, which position he held about three years. The number of teachers was then raised to three, Mrs. Anna Platter Watts, Mrs. Florence Custer Nixon and Mae Hook. The town, however, kept increasing and two more rooms were added. This six room building served until it burned in 1912. This school was recognized as a second grade high school about 1895 and about 1913, when it was recognized as a first grade high school.

 

Immediately after the burning of the old school building, which was in April, they began to build the modern building of which Peebles can well be proud. A normal school was held in Peebles as early as 1889 being introduced by Professors Hood and Fite. This continued until about 1913.

Written by Mildred E. Mahaffey, Ralph F. Crawford, James Milton Bayes, Lulu Branscome, Lulu Murphy, Della Eubanks,—Seniors.

 

This was published in the Peoples Defender one hundred years ago.

It was written by several seniors at Peebles High School at that time.

11/17/1921

 

This was posted to Facebook by Bill Lewis

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