Freetown 2008 July Festival
FREETOWN - Join Christi Bauerlee and her band along with Nashville artists Evie Nicole, the Lewis Sisters, and Jackson County's own Stephanie Lambring! beginning Saturday July 12th at 7:00 pm.  The festival begins Friday, July 11th at 5:00 pm.  The festival schedule is listed below.  Information about the festival is available from entertainment committee members or chairman Sharon Yost.  Artist information is available at the artist's web site (click on the artist's picture or name below) and at Nashville entertainment organizer Jack Scott's Writer/Artist showcase web site located here.   A printable schedule is located here.  A 45-second audio promotion is located here.  A 60-second audio promotion is located here.

If you're an interested performer, vendor, etc., please call (812) 497-2103, (812) 497-3737, or (812) 497-2190.

 
 

Stephanie Lambring 7:00 pm

The Lewis Sisters 7:30 pm

Evie Nicole 8:00 pm

 5:00 pm - Opening Ceremony 
 5:30 pm - Shirley & friends
 6:30 pm - Sheila and Isaiah Richerson Gospel Music 
 7:00 pm - The Risen - Gospel Rock 
 8:00 pm - Country Jakes 

 9:00 am
     Cornhole tournament 
     Prince and Princess Contest on stage
     Registration for baby contest 
10:00 am - Baby contest on stage
11:00 am - Children's Sack Race 
 1:00 pm - Parade 
 2:30 pm.- Church of Christ Kids on stage 
 3:00 pm
     Country Kickers (line dancing) on stage 
     Pedal Tractor Pull - Basketball Court 
 4:00 pm
     Stars and Stripes Cloggers on stage
     Garden Tractor pull on old ball diamond 
 5:00 pm - Earl and Friends (music) on stage 
 6:00 pm
     Lumpy the Clown and Pepper on stage 
     Spoon Egg Race
 7:00 pm
     Bubble Gum Blowing Contest 

 7:00 pm - Stephanie Lambring 
 7:30 pm - The Lewis Sisters
 8:00 pm - Evie Nicole
 8:30 pm - Christi Bauerlee w/band

 1:00 pm
     Tri Kappa 5K Walk/Run 
     Evening Light Gospel Singers on stage 
     Kids Scavenger Hunt 
 2:30 pm
     Blue Grass Gospel Alliance on Stage 
     Frog Jumping Contest 
 3:30 pm - Water Balloon Toss
 

Web Site Restored
DALLAS - Apologies for the web site being down for several weeks.  A transfer of registrar was in process but the holding registrar made it as difficult as possible to perform a transfer.  February 18, 2008

Freetown July Festival 2007 Results
FREETOWN - The results of the 2007 July festival are reported in the 20 July edition of the Jackson County Banner.  July 22, 2007

Freetown July Festival 2007
FREETOWN - The Freetown July Festival is under way.  For more information, here is a summary in the Seymour Tribune.  July 6, 2007

Freetown Revitalization Effort
FREETOWN - The renovation of sidewalks in the downtown area has been completed.  July 6, 2007

Freetown Revitalization Effort Underway
FREETOWN - Many revitalization projects have been under way over the last year including renovation of the Freetown/Pershing Township park and many downtown buildings.  The downtown grocery has been reopened as well as the cafe.  The grocery will be adding pizza in March.  Up to five additional businesses are planned to open this coming spring.  Previously, the gymnasium underwent major renovation and conversion into a community center. 

An important project needing additional funding is one to replace decaying sidewalks in the downtown area.  Estimate for the project is $6450 and donations are solicited.  For more information, visit this web site for My Hometown Helper.  Sponsored by Hamburger Helper, MyHometownHelper is giving away up to $15,000 each month to help fund projects in hometowns all across the country. You can help by simply adding your comments - and support - to the request at the web site.
February 18, 2007

Freetown July Festival 2006
FREETOWN - The Freetown July Festival will be held at the Freetown/Pershing Township Park* on July 7, 8, and 9.  There will be games, food booths, face painting, flea markets, and crafters, all three days of the event.  Flyer (Microsoft Word)  June 17, 2006

6:00pm - The Gospel Ramblers
7:00pm - Mike Scarlet and Country Sound
8:00pm - Barnstorming / Bluegrass
9:00pm - Shirley & Friends

Saturday, July 8, 2006

9:00am - Baby Contest Registration
10:00am - Baby Contest
11:00am - Cake Walk
11:00am - Parade Registration**
11:00am - Hog Roast & Fish Fry***
1:00pm - Parade (Starting at Freetown Church of Christ)
2:30pm - Peddle Tractor Pull
3:30pm - Sack Race
4:00pm - Horse Shoe Contest
4:00pm - Country Kickers (Line Dance)
6:00pm - Music by Don Pedigo
6:00pm - Auction****
8:00pm - 10:00pm - Band

Sunday, July 9, 2006

1:00pm - 4:00pm - Talent from Area Churches

Web Site Work
ISP transfer is complete.  28 May 2006

Web Site Work
The web site is in the process of being migrated to a new service provider.  No significant design changes are anticipated, but you may notice intermittent service at times over the next several weeks as part of the site is changed to work with the new server configuration.  The street map link was also corrected.  If you have information regarding upcoming events, please email to the address at the bottom of the page.  May 21, 2006

Gymnasium Project Work Status
FREETOWN - The community center open house occurred over the weekend.  Here is the Seymour Tribune article.  To book the new Community Center for your event, contact Douglas McKinney at 812-497-3170.  June 17, 2003

Gymnasium Project Work Status
FREETOWN - The community center project is rapidly approaching completion.  The jump circle from the old floor has been installed in the main floor.  Some of the old flooring is also installed in the museum section.  Bleachers have been painted.  Building outside is complete.  A dedication and open house is being planned for June 14, 2003 at 1:00pm, y'all come.  May 13, 2003 <Graph1> <Graph2> <Picture1> <Picture2> <Picture3> <Picture4>  <Picture5> <Picture6> <Picture7> <Picture8> <Picture9> <Picture10> <Picture11> 
 

Gymnasium Project Progressing
FREETOWN - The Freetown gymnasium renovation is progressing well.  Completion of the $550,000 project is anticipated for June 2003. 
January 16, 2003   Seymour Tribune Article (1/29/03)
 
 

History of Salt Creek/Pershing Township

The time of the great migration was on.  There were new public lands opening up to settlers.  In 1841, President Tyler had signed the "Log Cabin Law".  Settlers could claim 160 acres of land before it was offered for public sale and build their cabins on it.  They could pay for it at a later date at $1.25 per acre.  Many families were joining the westward movement.

Forming Pershing Township

Salt Creek and Pershing Townships occupy the northwest portion of Jackson County.  The two townships were originally together and were known as Salt Creek Township.  It occupied 48,000 acres with a total of 75 square miles.  Salt Creek Township was established in 1821 and remained as a single township until 1919 when it was divided and the new township was named for General John J. Pershing.

The Seymour Daily Tribune Bicentennial Edition issued on Tuesday, July 27, 1976 provides the following record of the establishment of Pershing Township:  "About the time of World War I, people in this area saw the need for a new high school.  A dispute arose between the towns of Houston and Freetown as to the location of the new building.  At last, there was a petition to have the township divided, and in May 1919, Pershing Township, named in honor of General John J. Pershing, a World War I hero, was formed and a high school was built at Freetown".

There were four towns located within Salt Creek Township.  They were:  Freetown, Houston, Maumee, and Spraytown.  Freetown is situated ten miles north of Brownstown, fourteen miles southwest of Seymour and five miles east of Houston.

Freetown is Laid Out

In 1838, George Motsinger entered 191 acres of land in this area from the United States government.  In 1846, Charles Rosenbaum and George Motsinger laid out the town of Freeport.  Four blocks were surveyed and the streets were named.  The plat was recorded and James Ireland sold the lots.  The first general store was owned and operated by George & Charles Rosenbaum.  These gentlemen conducted the first mercantile establishment in a part of their dwelling house which was at that time one of very few houses in the would-be city. 

When a post office was obained in 1850, it was discovered there was already an Indiana town by the name of Freeport; therefore, the name was changed to Freetown.  At this time, Freetown was officially recorded at the courthouse in Brownstown.  Charles Rosenbaum was appointed the first Freetown postmaster on May 4, 1850.  According to one article, the first post office was located on the south corner of State Street and west of Glendenning Street.

Jesse Lucas carried the mail from Brownstown to Freetown on this area's first public road that ran from Brownstown to Nashville.  Mr. Lucas made this trip once each week also carrying the Maumee mail which was transferred at Freetown to Riley Combs who completed the delivery to Maumee.  At one time, the post office was conducted by an old settler who could neither read nor write.  When the patron called for his mail, it was all laid out and he selected his own mail from the rest, thus relieving the postmaster of the responsibility for mistakes.

Freetown is a rural community located in a valley in the southern part of Pershing Township.  Local areas such as Runt Run, Hound Holler, Kiper's Creek, and Red Brush encompass this small rural village.  According to early records, some of the early settlers were Jesse Lucas, Joel Jackson, David Bowman, Phillip Highnote, Thomas Scott, John Scott, Arthur Martin, Evan Scott, John Blerings, Silas Mahuron, Levi Spurgeon, Jesse Isaacs, Squire Sims, A. L. May, Mahala Motsinger, and Rev. Samuel R. Smith.

In 1889, ten lots known as the Acton Addition were added to the town and in 1890, the Mahalaville Addition of four blocks was added.  Also added in 1890 was the four blocks of the Jones Addition.  Later extensions were the Lucas, Smith, and Manuel additions.

First School House

The first school house was located at the rear of what is now known as the "Queen Ann Bed & Breakfast".  It was made of round logs with one door and one window.  The building faced the west.  There was a huge fireplace with a mud and stick chimney.  The seats were split logs with sticks in them for legs.  A quill pen and homemade dye were used when paper was available  William Cordell taught the first school in 1856.  Dr. G. Manuel succeeded him in 1857.  The latter gentleman taught many schools in Salt Creek Township. It was noted that there was a vast difference in the schools of 1857 and those compared in 1887.  Wouldn't it be interesting to hear their comments about the school systems in the year 2000?  In the earlier schools, the pupils were content to sit upon rough slabs with no support for the back.  Log school buildings, no books except the testament and we may say very poorly educated teachers when compared with those of today.

The second school was built on the south lot of the Frank Denny property west of Glendenning street and half way between State (now known as Second Street) and First Street.  Dr. Chute bought the house and moved it onto his lot.  In 1925, it was occupied by William Berry.

In 1889, a two-story schoolhouse with two rooms was built.  In 1902, two more rooms were added, one on the ground floor and one above.  In 1902, a four-year high school course was offered.  One teacher taught the seventh and eighth grade as well as the high school.  This building was used until Christmas 1924 when a new seven-room brick school was built at a cost of $21,798.  This building was heated by steam.

Railroad

In 1886, Salt Creek voted a two-percent tax to the Evansville Richmond Railroad Company for a railroad to be built from Evansville to Richmond via Freetown with a station at or within 1000 yards of Freetown.  In 1887, Freetown had a population of about 100 souls.  If a railroad came, Freetown was expected to boast a population of 1,500 in a few years equal to the geographical center.

An election following signing of petitions in Hamilton, Salt Creek, Jackson, and Redding proved taxpayers were in favor of building a railroad.  This railroad was constructed in 1889 along the south side of Freetown by Mr. Mackey.  This same year the depot was built and the first station agent was Ed Daugherty.  This road was to have run between Richmond and Evansville, but due to the lack of funds it was completed only between Westport and Elnora.  In 1897, part of it was destroyed by a flood.  After this disaster, Mr. Mackey was financially unable to rebuild the road and it was purchased and rebuilt by John R. Welsh of Chicago.  It was then called the Indiana Southern.  Later, Mr. Welsh and his family extended it to Chicago and renamed it the Chicago, Terre Haute, and Southeastern.  In 1921, the railroad was puchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Company.

Because of the sale of timber products, the Freetown depot handled more freight than any other station of its size in the southern part of the state.  During WWII and the Korean War, this was one of the most important railroads in the United States.  It handled much war material from Crane Depot.  This railroad line ran through the following towns in Jackson County beginning with Reddington, Seymour, Cortland, Surprise, Freetown, and Kurtz.

There were not many things going on at this time and many people would come to the depot on Sunday evening to see who got on or off of the passenger train.  They would then return home since there was no where else to go.  Mert Denny operated a taxi and would meet the train to deliver drummers and other passengers to their destinations as far away as Story, in Brown County.  Louis Jackson operated a hotel at the location of the Jimmy McKain residence on the northwest corner of Maple Street and State Road 58.  There was also the Wheeler Hotel in the west part of town.  There were four daily passsenger trains, however this did not last long and was replaced by a daily round trip between Westport and either Seymour or Bedford.  Eventually this became a daily except Sunday run of a mixed train.  These facilities were generally accepted by the few customers without complaint.  The railroad station at Freetown was closed in about 1950 and the depot was moved in 1955 to the northwest side of town by Claude Fish and remodeled and used as a residence.  Today <2000> it is the home of Chad and Missy Winks.  The train was discontinued about 1975 following a derailment at the trestle south of Freetown near the tan yard holler, with removal of the track shortly thereafter.