February 2020 Newsletter

Written by Brenda Williams

As we kick off this new Year’s FMHM events we extend to you a cordial invitation to attend Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, ‘Spring Fest 2020’ to be held in the Heritage Park. FMHM Museum Project returns will continue further improvements to the Heritage Museum Project. Reserved lots in the Grove Area will accommodate Vendors and Crafters displaying their merchandise. The Cooper Hill School will again serve as the ‘Little Country Store’ showcasing Spring wreathes, Yard Ornaments, Garden Angels, and specially designed and handcrafted Spring decorator items for both home and garden will be displayed for the shoppers. Plants and potted herbs, European Gardens and seedlings will also be for sale in the Park Area. Lunch will be served from the Grill and again our bakers will have cakes and pies available for dessert or for Sunday Dinner. Details will be posted on our FB Heritage site and fliers will be displayed in local shops and merchants windows.

Financial needs are fundamental for the continuing of the Heritage Park and Museum Project. To date Park improvements include; the purchase of the Depot Lot; installation of the Veterans Memorial, Flag Pole and Flag; acquiring the Labrearre House-Future Museum; the purchase and relocating or the Cooper Hill School House; joining two lots and closing the road 264; construction of the 24×24 ft Gazebo; underground electrical service installed to both lots; 9 concrete pads installed in the Grove with Street Lamps and Benches on each pad donated to the Park Area by Community Families. These accomplishments were made possible through special gifts from generous Falkner Friends and Families, efforts of laboring volunteers; and proceeds from FMHM Events. The Heritage Park is the Hallmark in Downtown Falkner, MS, thanks to your continued support and encouragement. These great accomplishments have been made possible only through the unselfish giving of the people in our Community who have placed their confidence in the FMHM Project endeavors. We are grateful for the trust that has been placed in this Heritage project and your encouragement drives us onward.

The Town of Falkner became recognized around 1870 as a result of Col. W.C. Falkner’s ambitious goal to build a railroad line from New Albany, MS to Middleton, Tn. His vision was to make community needs and services more accessible for the people in the area and to build himself a town. Thus, Falkner, Tiplersville, Walnut, Middleton and Ripley trips became regular excursions for Saturday shoppers, diners, travelers, politicians, joy-riders and business men. Connecting these communities made life much easier for farmers, merchants, students; those with banking needs, physician’s visits, trips to Salons, Saloons, Cafes, Drug stores and postal services. Regular trips to Ripley became a routine jaunt and Ripley merchants flourished by offering ‘Saturday Specials’ for frequent shoppers giving them free or discounted tickets for the Train rides encouraging the purchase of sales items in their stores. The Colonel’s venture was indeed prosperous. Falkner, MS was in those days considered to be in it’s Hey Day! This Railway was primary transportation for the Community until pavement was layed on Hwy #15 which at that a time a dirt/gravel farm road. Falkner grew in number and popularity. The Colonel did not reside in Falkner, however his name remains. It is sad now that Falkner’s ‘railway’ has disappeared but as a result of the great ‘Rebel’ and other iron machines of those days that we have exciting and lasting memories of those rumbling machines and their part in our Town’s beginning. Many tales and legends still exist and some of the Depot Stations are still standing. Because of this historical past FMHM Project members are encouraged to attempt to recreate in a small part some of that Old-Town Falkner Glory and help establish a foundation for the next generation to continue to build on.

Our goals are to attempt to instill into the hearts of the next generation a desire to keep the Falkner Heritage by celebrating the early Founding Families of our Community and their tribute to Falkner, MS. Some of the FMHM members and supporters are 3^rd and 4^th generation family of these Founder’s Descendants. This claim alone shows how zealous we are toward the commemorating of our Old Town for Future Generations and their fulfillment of further developments for Falkner, MS.

Another plus for growth in our Community is Revenue. The FMHM Project members and Town officials are driven by an overwhelming desire to see more businesses develop in our area. Our small town atmosphere is desirable and peaceful, yet there is still a yearning to see small-town businesses progress. Plans are for smaller businesses to have the opportunity to show their wares during the FMHM Park Events and to give our community a sampling of their products and merchandise. Research has revealed there are many small businesses in the Falkner Area with profitable returns. While these small businesses might be considered a ‘Well Kept Secret’, further examination has shown that they indeed are proven successful with their professionally displayed ads in trade magazines and business periodicals where they promote their often ‘One of a Kind’ products. Cottage based businesses are the grass-root enterprise and is historically proven to be America’s basic foundational business beginnings. We salute efforts shown by continued growth in this next generations’ professions and their desire to be a prosperous part of this Community. We commend your efforts and offer to you our assistance as you grow in your businesses and pray our Lord’s many blessings on your continued success. You are our Community’s Future!

Other FMHM projects are in further planning stages for 2020 beginning with repairing and restoring the Cooper Hill School house; relocating the Labarreare Home onto the Depot Lot; constructing a Community Building to include a meeting hall, public restrooms, office, kitchen and storage/shop. Additional Park benches and Lamps will be added to the Depot Lot; drainage and grounds improvements; walkways, and landscaping; special signage; security for the grounds and eventually decorative fencing. The Little Free Library will soon be stationed in the Grove area for convenient access for readers and a shelf in the Old School House will allow space for extra books for readers and browsers of all ages. The Project list is great and financial needs even greater, but obviously not impossible as is demonstrated by the progress already shown in the Park. The FMHM Project is a major topic of conversation among the Community folk and we anticipate continued success. The Park as you see it now started with a conversation between a couple of enthusiastic and ‘project-motivated’ individuals who desired to see Falkner, MS in the headlights and now Falkner, MS is in the headlights and the ‘headlines’ thanks to all who keep on giving and doing. We extend to each of you our humble appreciation for your time, labor and money spent on these Projects and encourage all of you to visit the Park; tour the Old Cooper Hill School; sit in the Gazebo; grab a book; bring a picnic or just stroll through the Grove remembering your Falkner Heritage.

Plat Plans, lists of improvements for Cooper Hill, drawings of the Community Building and schedules are on the bulletin board in City Hall for your examination and interest. Please feel free to visit and explore these items. Get copies if you need them. Donations and contributions for these projects are vital so are volunteers and supporters. We encourage you to get information as you need for project estimates and direction and come ‘aboard’.Watch FB for Heritage posts, check the Web Site and come to FMHM meetings held on 2^nd Monday of each month in Falkner, MS at 6:00 PM in City Hall. Town meetings are lst Tuesday of each month at 6:00 in City Hall. We welcome your to join us, your suggestions and inquiries, your interest, your phone calls and your participation. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. May this endeavor be as our Lord wills and to His Glory.