Pinopolis celebrates restoration

PINOPOLIS — The small, unincorporated town of Pinopolis rejoiced in its past and toasted its future with soft drinks and sweets on Sunday, celebrating the restoration of its old post office.

Pinopolis residents and members of the Berkeley County Historical Society gathered to inspect and pay honor to the building, first used in 1894 and last used in 1975. Sunday marked the end of a long project, its roots beginning with Dr. Norman Walsh, who chronicled the town's history in his book "Plantations, Pineland Villages, Pinopolis and Its People." Walsh donated most of the proceeds from the book toward the restoration.

"I hope (the post office) stands another 100 years," said Elaine Swicord, a Pinopolis resident who coordinated the effort.

Walsh collaborated on the book with Cecy Guerry, a researcher and Pinopolis resident. Together, they documented the town and old homes referencing maps and memoirs, collecting more than 125 color and black-and-white photographs.

Today, in many ways, the town stands much as it always has.

"Kids can run loose. Dogs can run loose," Pinopolis resident Bob Ashby said. "And we stop for squirrels."

But now the town has a tangible reminder of its history.

Walsh's book made the restoration a reality, helping to raise $30,000. Total preservation costs came to $27,000, with the remaining money benefiting the Berkeley County Historical Society.

All 1,100 copies of the first printing were sold. The village hosted a successful tour in April 2007, opening homes and churches to ticket buyers. A second printing of 1,100 copies containing new information and amendments was ordered in September. So far, 300 copies have sold.

"I feel gratified that other people took over and I could give it to them," Walsh said. "They took the responsibility and completed the project."

Local preservation expert Jim Crow and his team led the effort, paying careful attention to the building's character. They repaired the windows and sashes, prepping the building with a new coat of white paint. They covered the old roof with a new one, allowing for future inspection of the old shingles and woodwork from within. Crow also tried to best match the old wood with modern materials such as chemically treated, rot-resistant lumber.

About 40 or 50 people toured the refurbished post office, which is located behind Pinopolis' current post office. That bunch included guest of honor, Carlene Walters, who celebrates her 100th birthday on May 17.

Dressed in a purple blouse and scarf and aided by a metal cane, Walters shared her memories of working the Pinopolis/Cross Star mail route from 1928-1930. She got the mail each morning from postmaster Bessie Ravenel, who, Walters noted, read each postcard before placing them into the Cross basket for delivery.

Walters drove a red 1928 Chevrolet mail truck, and particularly remembers Bannistertown because blacks often would ask her to bring necessities like needles, thread, envelopes and paper. They paid her with collards, butter beans, produce and once a chicken.

Postal carriers also were allowed to take passengers for a $1 fee. Almost every Friday, a black minister rode with her to Moncks Corner, then took the train to Charleston. On Monday mornings, Walters would drive him home.

"That's about all I know to tell about those days," she said, "except those were good days."

Reach Rob Young at 937-5518 or ryoung@postandcourier.com.