50th Annual Oak Grove Homecoming set for October 2, 2011

Oak Grove Church in Old Parramore

The historic ghost town of Old Parramore, just a few miles east of Two Egg, will achieve a unique landmark on October 2nd. The community will observe its 50th annual Homecoming at Oak Grove Church.

The annual Oak Grove Homecoming was conceived in 1961 as a way to bring together original residents of the old town of Parramore, along with their family members. Parramore was an important riverboat port of the late 19th and early 20th century.  It grew during the years after the Civil War and then faded away before World War II when modern highways and the trucking industry spelled the end for paddlewheel steamboats on the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola River.

For 50 years people have gathered each year on the first Sunday in October to remember the old town and, more importantly, its residents. Each homecoming has featured music, brief lectures on the history of Parramore or some of its families, a short message and dinner on the grounds.

This year will be special as a new flagpole and veterans' monument will be dedicated. Other features of the special 50th annual Homecoming will include a discussion on the history of Old Parramore (presented by me), music by the Sheila Smith Trio and a message by Rev. Lucius B. "Cap" Pooser.

Activities will kick off at 10:30 a.m. (Central time) at Oak Grove Church. Used only once each year for the annual homecoming, the church is a memorial structure dedicated to the memory of families associated with Old Parramore. It is beautifully maintained, as is the adjoining cemetery.  The church is located within site of the intersection of Oak Grove Road and Parramore Road in historic Parramore, Florida.
If you are interested in learning more about the historic ghost town of Old Parramore, please consider my book:  Old Parramore: The History of a Florida Ghost Town. It can be ordered by clicking the ad above at left and is also available from Chipola River Book & Tea in Downtown Marianna (across from the Battle of Marianna Monument). The book is also available as an instant download for your Amazon Kindle or the free Kindle software for your computer or smartphone. Please click here for the Kindle version: Old Parramore: The History of a Florida Ghost Town.

Annual Oak Grove Homecoming in Old Parramore set for Next Weekend

The popular annual Oak Grove Homecoming in Old Parramore will take place next Sunday, October 4, 2009.

This event brings the long faded "ghost town" of Parramore back to life on the first Sunday in October of each year. Although the area was settled long before the War Between the States, the town of Parramore actually grew at the intersection of today's Oak Grove and Parramore roads during the years after the war when former soldiers and former slaves made homes for themselves in the piney woods. By 1890, Parramore had become a thriving community based on its status as an important port for the paddlewheel riverboats that then navigated the Chattahoochee River.

By the decade between 1900 and 1910, Parramore featured several stores, a sawmill, gristmill, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, post office, turpentine operations, several steamboat landings, schools, churches and more. When the riverboat traffic began to fade in the 1920s, however, the town started to fade as well. By 1950, only abandoned buildings, a scattering of families and ruins remained.

People will start gathering for the event at around 9 or 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 4th, and plans for the day include a historical discussion, special music and dinner on the grounds. I'll post more information over coming days, but the event is open to the public and anyone with an interest in the Parramore area is invited!