The Scout — Pageland Turns 100

Subscription receipt

2008-04-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

We had a customer in our office today interested in purchasing an ad for our upcoming War Stories II publication. She bought a pair of ads for her husband and father-in-law, who served in World War II and World War I, respectively.

Among the items she brought with her were wartime letters, a food rationing book and a receipt for a subscription to The Pageland Journal for 1930. Click the image to get a closer look, and to see how much a year of newspapers cost in 1930.

1953-4, Pageland High School

2008-04-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a reader submission JoAnne Yarborough:

"I made this pic of my cousin, Claudette. The helmet was laying in the field. She put it on and I told her to play like she was going to catch the ball. I wanted to get this pic because I knew the wooden stadium would be torn down. I got it in it's best. This pic was made in 1953-54. I hope you will use it."

1886, the town that almost was

2008-04-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

In many ways, Pageland was a happy accident. In 1886 — just 22 years before Pageland was incorporated — another nearby community was expected to become the hub of activity in the western part of Chesterfield County. Pictured is the commission for Maggie Robeson when she was named postmaster of the Robeson Community, which was later assimilated into other Pageland-area communities.

1950s, childhood

2008-04-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

From left, Eddie Gregory, Julie Collins and Carl Tucker.

1940s, Pageland Grammar School

2008-04-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

An image from the former school's annual.

Date Unknown, "Cash Crop" postcard

2008-04-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Date Unknown, New York Restaurant

2008-04-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

The Scout - print edition

2008-04-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

If you saw this week's newspaper, you might have noticed this webpage has "come to life" in our print version. I plan to publish The Scout as a full-page of photos and accompanying commentary at least once a month, hopefully with individual themes. First up: a look at uptown Pageland in its formative years. Pictured here is Page 8B of this week's newspaper, which I opted to publish in color to better showcase these rare color images from the town's early days. These photos were courtesy of Adam Foard, Pete Brock, Pearl Arant and others. If you'd like to order an 11X17 reproduction of this page, contact Sheila at our front desk: 843-672-2358.

1956 Water Bill

2008-04-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

(Courtesy of Adam Foard)

Pageland, circa 1910

2008-04-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

This image is believed to be the oldest known postcard photograph of Pageland. (Courtesy of Adam Foard)

1942, Christmas

2008-03-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

From left are Peter M. Arant, Lottie Arant, former S.C. Sen. Paul Arant, John Amos Arant, Billy Arant, Millon Arant, Mildred Arant and Laura Arant.

Watermelon Festival

2008-03-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Former Pageland Mayor Jim Kirk waves to the crowd during the parade during a Watermelon Festival event during the 1980s.

Van Lingle Mungo

2008-03-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

A newspaper cartoon of Pageland native (and Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher) Van Lingle Mungo from sometime in the 1930s.

1920s, Billy Blakeney

2008-03-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Billy Blakeney, who owned the Blakeney Hotel for 30 years with wife Anna "Big Wheel" Blakeney.

Mystery History

2008-03-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Another from our Mystery History files. This was one of several photos in a collection loaned to us, but there are no identifying names or dates to accompany this image. If you know anything about this photo, please contact us.

1953, Pageland High School

2008-03-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

The commencement program from the 1953 Pageland High School graduation.

1953, Pageland High School Graduates

2008-03-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Presenting the class of 1953.

1950, Pageland Grammar School

2008-03-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Third graders at Pageland Grammar School in 1950.

Circa 1958, Pageland Tigers

2008-03-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

Roy Jordan leads the Pageland Tigers onto the field at the start of a game around 1958. Mary Nelle Watford is wearing the drum majorette hat.

1948, Pageland Grammar School

2008-03-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

Date unknown, Vester Miles

2008-03-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo from the collection loaned to us by Dorris Miller. It is marked "Vester Miles," but it's unclear if that refers to the man in the photo or somebody else. This image will likely become a Mystery History entry, unless one of our online readers identifies it first.

1950/51, Seniors go to Washington, D.C.

2008-03-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

Pageland High's senior trip to Washington in either 1950 or 1951. Among the students in this photo are Ogden Sutton, Elmer Lowry , Roddy Outen , Pat Arant, Pris Campbell and Superintendent R.C. Campbell.

1906, Land Deed

2008-03-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

Documentation of a land sale, signed by Pearle Sowell and D.H. McGregor.

1920s, Anna Blakeney

2008-03-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Anna "Big Wheel" Blakeney, who owned the Blakeney Hotel for 30 years with husband Billy.

1973, Pageland Police Department

2008-03-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

The Pageland Police Department, as it appeared in 1972. Photo courtesy of Police Chief Johnny Sowell. If you recognize any of these officers, please identify them by leaving a "comment" below.

Mystery History

2008-03-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Progressive Journal is trying to identify the people and places in a collection of vintage photos. Do any of these faces ring a bell? If you know who these people are, call us at 672-2358, or e-mail your tips to wmjournal@shtc.net. A new photo from the collection will be published each week. If you have a photo you would like to be included in this series, let us know — we’d love to publish it.

Date unknown, W.V. Hursey

2008-03-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

W.V. Hursey, above, and his brother “experimented” with farming, according to Hursey’s 1967 obituary, and is believed to have been the first person to introduce turkey farming to the area after World War II.

1918, Sgt. Graves

2008-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Sgt. Lenson C. Graves, whose name graces the Smith-Graves American Legion Post in Pageland. Killed in action in 1918 during World War I, Graves is buried in France.

1943, Pigg Pond

2008-03-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

A photo of Pigg Pond in 1943, contributed by Averia "Pete" Brock.

Late 1990s, Watermelon Festival

2008-03-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

Pearl Arant serves as grand marshal of the parade during the Watermelon Festival about 10 years ago ... nobody seems to remember when. If you remember the year, please send it our way.

1940s, World War I

2008-03-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

At left, John Ellis Graves, of Pageland, prepares meals for other soldiers in France during World War II.

1958, Pageland Dance Band

2008-03-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

The Pageland High Dance Band, circa 1958. Among the group are Billy Arant, John Collins, Ellen Graves, and Pris Campbell (who contributed this photo, as well as many others.)

1957, Pageland High Band

2008-03-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Pageland High School Band returns from a game by bus in 1957. From left are Lee Newman, Margaret Medlin, and drum major Peggy Gulledge. In the back are Nancy Belk, Mary Carol Mangum, Katherine Rayfield, one of the Stennett sisters, and Nancy Birch.

Pearl Street, circa 1907

2008-03-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Pageland's more rugged days, sometime before its incorporation in 1908. Little — if any — of this scenery still exists today.

1963, Postcard from Berlin

2008-03-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

John Amos Arant sent this postcard home during a 1963 agriculture trip to Europe.

1963, Berlin

2008-03-01T12:35:00.001-08:00

John Amos Arant, of Pageland, (third from the right) visits the Berlin Wall during a 1963 agriculture trip to Europe.

1910, the Clark House

2008-02-28T09:07:00.001-08:00

This is one from the Mystery History files.
Ogden Sutton, of Sutton Funeral Home, recognized the Feb. 12 installment of Mystery History as a longtime Pageland landmark.
Sutton said the building was known as the Clark Home, built in 1908 by Christopher Columbus “Lum” Clark. Pictured are from left are Ustane Clark, Netta Clark, John Wesley Porter, Mary Funderburk, and Lum and Betty Clark. The photo was taken in 1910.
“My grandmother and grandfather bought the house and moved in, I’m not sure when,” Odgen Sutton said. “My grandmother died in 1936, a couple of years later my father moved his funeral home business into that building. It stayed the funeral home until 1960, and that’s when we built the building where we are now.”

Van Lingle Mungo, date unknown

2008-02-27T07:43:00.000-08:00

Professional baseball player Van Lingle Mungo with children Van. Jr and Pamela, date unknown.

1948, school board

2008-02-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

The 1948 Pageland Grammar School Board of Trustees: are, from left, Chairman R.W. Outen, H.V. Mungo, L.J. Watford, John E. Graves, and Dr. D.C. Griggs.

1948, school board

2008-02-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

The board of trustees for Pageland High School in 1948.
From left are Chairman L.J. Watford, C.W. Kirkley, D.W. Mangum, Coan A. Funderburk, and I.K. Plyler. Absent from the photo are Grover C. Pate and G.F. Evans.

Unknown Date, Coca-Cola

2008-02-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

This photo was found among the archives of The Progressive Journal and shows an old Coca-Cola delivery truck from the early 20th century.

Unknown Date, Coca-Cola

2008-02-21T07:28:00.001-08:00

Earl Blakeney fills Coca-Cola bottles the "old timey" way — one at a time. This archive photo from The Pageland Journal in 1980 says Blakeney worked at the Coca Cola bottling plant for 49 years, but does not document when the photo was taken. Blakeney's son, though, was an employee for the plant in 1980 and had worked there for 35 years, according to the newspaper.

1933, Sandhills League Champions

2008-02-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

From left, front row: Byron Mangum, Graham Mangum, J.F. Richardson Jr. and Harry Jackson. Second row: Archie Jenkins, Ed Watford, Earl Griffith. Third row: J.T. Duncan, Jim Crooks, Tyler Hurst and Horace Belton. Fourth row: Jack Threatt, Lewis Rivers and Bill Threatt. The score keeper on the stool is Vance Moore.

1931, Childhood

2008-02-21T07:20:00.000-08:00

Pageland native Averia “Pete” Brock, playing in a cornfield in 1931.

1959, Swimsuit competition

2008-02-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

A photo from the Pageland Watermelon Festival's swimsuit competition in 1959. The swimming pool seen here no longer exists.

1919, March 12 — The Pageland Journal

2008-02-20T12:19:00.001-08:00

Patience, folks. This is a fairly large file, but ought to be legible once enlarged (which you can do to all of these photos by clicking them.)

1957, Pretty Girl Police

2008-02-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

Pageland Police Chief Floyd Cato inspects the "Pretty Girl Police," who were set to patrol the streets for the Barefoot and Apron Day event. Men who weren't barefoot and women not wearing an apron would be fined (this was part of the Watermelon Festival activities.) From left, the ladies are Judy Arant, Bonnie Clark, Margaret Medlin, Gail Griggs and Mary Nelle Watford (though their names probably changed since this photo was taken.)

1915, C&L Railroad

2008-02-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

This is a reproduction of a postcard brought by The Pageland Journal's office in 1965 by Joe Jewett, depicting the C&L Railroad depot "50 years ago." The depot was demolished in the early 1960s and the tracks "either covered up or removed."

1954, Richard Nixon's Rock Concert

2008-02-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

Pageland resident Wayne Haas, far right, performs with Arthur Smith and former president Richard Nixon during a television broadcast in Charlotte, N.C.

1908, voter registration

2008-02-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

Mike Brock's voter registration paperwork, from the year Pageland was incorporated.

1957, top of the pops

2008-02-16T16:21:00.000-08:00

Find out what kids were listening to the week of Aug. 30, 1957.

1958, Kohler's Drug Store

2008-02-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

Kohler's Drug Store, with owner Margaret Kohler behind the counter. Judy Arant, Ella Ruth McManus, Pris Campbell and Jon Fulenwider (son of Doc Johnny, one of the town doctors along with Dr. Griggs), are at the counter. Read more about Sarah Kohler by clicking here.

1908, Pageland's birth certificate

2008-02-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

Here it is: the charter that made Pageland an official town in 1908.

Date Unknown, The Southern Express Company

2008-02-16T16:12:00.000-08:00

This might be a good candidate for our Mystery History series, because I have no idea what the Southern Express Company was, or if this photo was even taken in Pageland. If you know, send me an e-mail at wmjournal@shtc.net.

1914, McGregor Street

2008-02-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a rare color photograph showing Pearl Street in the early days of Pageland. The photo was a postcard, likely retouched from a black and white image.

1972, Pageland Police Department

2008-02-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

We're not sure of everyone who is in this photograph, but look carefully and you'll see Progressive Journal sports writer Jerry "Shug" Haigler in uniform.

1989 ... The Olden Days?

2008-02-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

No, we haven't run out of vintage photos. Time is relative and many of our younger readers might have trouble remembering as far back as the 1980s, assuming they had been born yet. This is a photo of Central High's football team as it looked in 1989.

1945, Pageland High School

2008-02-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

Another photo from the pages of a Pageland High School yearbook, showing the 1945 varsity girls basketball team. B.P Robinson was the coach that year. Janice Robinson was team captain, and Margaret Sutton was manager.

1958, The Dairy Bar

2008-02-16T15:53:00.000-08:00

Mary Carol Mangum and Beverly Sowell stand in front of the Dairy Bar circa 1958, a drive-in that later became a Fish Camp.

1910, Rose Hill United Methodist Church

2008-02-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken at Rose Hill United Methodist Church in Pageland around 1910. From left are John Edgar Smith, Thomas Beauregard Smith, Nannie Ruth Chavis,
the Rev. John Holloway Turner and Oscar Lee Smith. (Photo courtesy of Paul Smith.)

1930s: Leatherheads

2008-02-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

Before an incredible tenure with the Pageland Police Department (1942-1973), Floyd Cato played a little football in the sport's early days.

Captain Adolphus Page

2008-02-16T15:42:00.001-08:00

Here is a rare photo of Captain Adolphus "Dolly" Page, the businessman that Pageland was named after. It took us quite a while to track down the original photograph and, when we did, it was after we stopped looking for it.

Page is pictured here in the 1930s with his wife Nancy and grandaugther Virginia Newton

Pageland Police Department, 1972

2008-02-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

In this 1972 photo are, from left, Johnny Sowell, Chief Floyd Cato and Paul Burch. Today, Sowell is police chief, while Burch is a circuit court judge.

A boy and his hog

2008-02-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

A young Paul Arant shows off his prize hog. A note on the original photo says the hog weighed 352 pounds, while Arant weighed a mere 74 pounds. Arant later served in World War II and went to law school after returning home. He was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives and the S.C. Senate before an untimely death in a hotel fire in 1963. Read more about Arant in this week's installments of 100 Great Pagelanders, on racks now.

World War I veteran

2008-02-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

It's not common we see local photos from World War I. This photo, of Frank Brock Sr., is part of a larger feature we will be publishing in a few weeks. Meanwhile, I thought it was appropriate for The Scout. (It's unclear when this photo was taken, but Brock was discharged in 1918.)

Pageland, 1950

2008-02-15T11:13:00.001-08:00

Here's a photo courtesy of Pris Campbell, showing third grade students at the former grammar school in 1950.

Martha Jane Jordan writes to her daughter, Christmas 1930

2008-02-15T08:44:00.001-08:00

An envelope from a family letter, courtesy of Pete Brock.

Van Lingle Mungo's obituary

2008-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

Professional baseball star Van Lingle Mungo is arguably the most famous person to ever come from Pageland. Mungo played for the Dodgers during the 1930s, owned one of Pageland's two theaters, had a stretch of highway named for him and was even the inspiration for a popular novelty song by David Frishberg.
There is currently a move to get Mungo into the Baseball Hall Of Fame. You can sign an online petition by clicking here.

Pageland High School, 1945

2008-02-14T14:51:00.001-08:00

A photo from the 1945 Pageland High School yearbook. From left are Lindy Richardson, Martha Robertson, Billy Blakeney (yes, that Billy Blakeney) and Margaret Mangum.

July 16, 1953

2008-02-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite the numerous changes to the newspaper over the last few decades (page size, color, etc.) today's design for The Progressive Journal doesn't look radically different than it did more than 50 years ago.

Mystery History — SOLVED

2008-02-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

Averia “Pete” Brock’s first thought when she saw the Jan. 29 Mystery History photo was “How did they get my photo?” As it turns out, Brock owns a vintage print of this photo, which has been mounted on wood. The image depicts Brock’s grandmother, Martha Jane Jordan, and her family. From left are Mae Jordan, Martha Jane Jordan, and brother and sister Charlie and Annie Jordan. Brock was also kind enough to let us show you some other examples of Pageland’s history, which are below.

Mystery History

2008-02-14T13:39:00.000-08:00

Mystery History is a weekly photo feature in The Progressive Journal showcasing vintage photos of unknown origin. This week’s photo was left more than 20 years ago at the newspaper office sa part of the “Good Old Days” series. But it is unclear who is in the photo and when it was taken. If you know who these people are, call us at 672-2754, or e-mail your tips to wmjournal@shtc.net. A new historical photo is published each week.

The Pageland Theater

2008-02-14T13:37:00.001-08:00

Here's a photo courtesy of Pete Brock, showing The Pageland Theater in 1943. Playing was a movie called Alaska Highway, a war film starring Richard Arlen and Jean Parker.

All the news that's fit to print (97 years later)

2008-02-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

The name of this blog is taken from The Scout, Pageland's first newspaper. In fact, the logo you see at the top of the webpage came from this edition of that newspaper from Oct. 20, 1910. The Scout fell victim to the various mergers and sales of local newspapers over the last century. The Progressive Journal is a direct descendant of this newspaper.
I spent some time figuring out how to create a publication-quality digital image of this newspaper, only to find out that our equipment omitted a small section at the bottom of the page. (Click the image to get a large — and clearer — look at this newspage.)

Welcome to The Scout!

2008-02-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

As you've probably heard, Pageland turns 100 years old this year.
We've spent the last few months collecting photos from Pageland's past, and it wasn't long before we realized we'd never be able to publish them all. Rather than tapering off, interest in our centennial features continues to grow. The front page of our website was quickly being taken over by these features, so it occurred to me to create a dedicated site for these images.
We'll update this site frequently. If you've got any pictures you'd like to submit, feel free to send them our way.
Our first images should be posted shortly.

- Wallace McBride,
editor
The Progressive Journal