Old newspaper columns give insight to West Ashley interests from a bygone era
Facebook. Instagram. X. TikTok. These are the mechanisms of modern social networking. Jump back a few decades (maybe eight or more), and the daily newspaper was the mechanism for learning about the social workings of the community. The News & Courier, Charleston Evening Post as well as community newspapers like West Ashley Journal (a “suburban weekly” that ran for about three years in the early 1960s) and The West Ashley News (unsure of the scope of this one but there was an issue in June-July of 1955) were the repositories for engagement announcements, wedding photos and details, birth announcements, club news, and information on social events.
One particular column that ran in The Charleston Evening Post from 1938-1950 was entitled: “Notes of Interest Across the Ashley.”
Initially, Helen R. Roberts gathered these “Notes,” and in 1939, Lillian D. Chamberlain took over the reins, with her name as the byline until 1950. The keyword search of The Charleston Evening Post produced 356 results, with the first column seemingly published March 9, 1938.
Enjoy another glimpse at what both Roberts and Chamberlain found “INTERESTing” across the Ashley. (West Ashley Flashback’s first glimpse was published in June of 2023.)
• March 9, 1938: “Gardens across the Ashley have begun to take on new beauty.” -opens Robert’s first column. She describes the gardens of Henry J. Mann and T.C. Hunley in Windermere, A. G. Goodwin in Wappoo Heights, J.E. Porter in Ashley Forest and then several on James Island. Bridge luncheons, church meetings, students returning home for spring break, visiting guests, and a birthday party rounded out the happenings.
• May 11, 1938: Mrs. Marshall Shingler entertained the Thursday Morning Club with a luncheon. Mrs. Emily Ravenel of St. Andrew’s Parish was Miss Betty Shingler’s guest for the day.
• August 31, 1938: Summer travel was coming to a close while …“Heavenly blue morning glories have been noted on a few fences and trellises this summer.” A few of the mentions of locals returning from travels: E.B. Chamberlain, noted ornithologist and museum curator, returned from Europe; The J.M. Oliver family of Ashley Forest were at Edisto beach while the Hortons of Ashley Forest left for New York city – Mr. Horton was transferred for work; Miss Rose Rodgers, Carolina Terrace, had been with her aunt in Clearwater, FL.
• January 21, 1939: Now Lillian D. Chamberlain’s perspective on what is interesting. “The various developments across the Ashley continue to grow, new homes springing up almost daily. Among the new families in Ashley Forest are Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Savitz of Hickory street and Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Moorer and Robert Irvin, Jr. of Cherry street.” And the Micheal family of Ashley Forest were being transferred to Honolulu!
Fast forward ten years and things were still “INTERESTing” across the Ashley.
• January 22, 1949: Curious about “The Book Shelf Club”? They had met on Wednesday at the Ashley Forest home of Mrs. T.C. R. Legare. A report was given by Mrs. Thomas V. Hannaford of the meeting at the Charleston Free Library where Mr. Samuel Gaillard Stoney presented a book review of “The Age of Adam”. From the book club in the parlor to the tour of the outdoors – Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Sprunt spent two days on an Audubon wild life tour on Bull’s Island prior to leaving for Florida where they will conduct additional tours.
• September 16, 1949: “Fall seems definitely to have arrived and St. Andrew’s parish is settling down to the usual round of activities. Community street corners are filled with children as they wait for school buses and quiet prevails in the developments from 8:30 until 2 p.m.” What a lovely way to open this September column that continued with garden club activities, PTA meetings, The Book Shelf Club, and the travel adventures of various residents.
The final column appears to have run a year later on September 16, 1950: “Despite the heat, ‘Across the Ashley’ is taking on the appearance of fall…” Once again school activities, garden club meetings, vacations, church meetings, the Book Shelf Club, and the welcoming of new residents rounded out this apparent final column.
Any “Notes of Interest” from early St. Andrew’s Parish? Contact Donna Jacobs at westashleybook@gmail.com.
