Photo courtesy Galyean's Gallery.
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By Amy Schumacher
Jack Cross grew up in Elizabethtown, North Carolina working at Bladen Hardware Store. Born in 1931, life was much slower paced, the town was filled with people that cared for each other, helped each other and everyone acted as if they were a part of your extended family.
Jack spoke of Sunday dinners at his grandparent’s home and how much he missed those family gatherings and home-cooked meals. “Those were the good ole’ days when family always made time and everyone’s schedules weren’t so busy” Jack said.
Jack described how the town has changed and how dirt roads are now paved and buildings are no longer simply functional but are superior in how they have changed. The basic pattern of the town has remained the same but the growth of the small community is amazing when re-visiting your memories.
Jack served on the Fire Department beginning in 1955 and retired just a few short years ago. At 86 years old, Jack has fond memories but understands his time of service has passed.
Jack served as the Fire Chief for ten years and was present when the Elizabethtown Fire Department unloaded their first official Fire Truck. The train station, located where the Fire Department is now, was filled with community members waiting to cast their eyes on the first Fire Truck in the county. “The 1920’s Model T is still housed at the Elizabethtown Fire Department and is still a beautiful piece of machinery to behold” Jack said.
The Model T was housed behind a slide up garage door right next door to Melvin’s Burgers. The local fireman, families and youth gathered for a burger and a few games of pool after fire meetings and any time they had the opportunity. Becoming a fireman was every young man’s dream and Jack enjoyed being in the middle of it all.
At this time Elizabethtown had only two doctors and they were well known to the community. The doctors not only were family physicians but also assisted farmers with doctoring their horses and farm animals when needed.
Jack met his wife, Yvonne, while working at his family Hardware store. Yvonne worked at Belk’s which was also located in the center of Elizabethtown. Together Jack and Yvonne have three wonderful sons, six grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Jack is very proud of his family and would only offer them one piece of advice that never changes, no matter who he is talking to, “Whatever you choose to be, be the very best!”
Though the town has changed, Jack can still see the beauty in living as a part of the small community of Elizabethtown. As Jack and Yvonne watch their family grow they realize that this growth is history, their history!
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