Believe it or not, a newcomer to Oxford walking from the Oxford Performing Arts Center towards Main Street can easily get lost. Not lost in person, mind you, but certainly lost in history. The buildings, with their diversity and charm, provide a tangible and visible record of the town’s past.
Historic Main Street Oxford, under the guidelines of the Main Street Alabama Initiative, focuses on that important aspect of the town: its history. One of the Initiative’s goals is to improve downtown structures and their overall value to the city while bringing jobs, dollars and people back to the state’s historic communities.
Another goal, specifically for Oxford, is to maintain the unique architectural details of the large and small buildings while adapting their uses to the 21st century.
The organization got its start in June of last year, according to Rod Harris, director. It is now looking for additional volunteers to move forward with the organization’s plan for downtown revitalization.
Oxford was founded in 1852, according to Harris. The downtown section was burned during the Civil War but the foundations remained, and businesses were gradually rebuilt during the 1870s. The downtown architecture today represents the years 1870-1903, Harris said. Some highlights:
• The old First National Bank, a two-story structure at 430 Main St., was built in 1900. By today’s standards it looks small to have been a bank. "But remember, banks operated from a ledger back then," Harris said. "These were less complicated times." The architecture is close to the Greek Revival style, Harris said. The second floor was leased out to a dentist and a doctor, according to Don Hudson, current owner of the building.
• Stinson & Howard Fine Jewelry, 501 Main St., was also once a bank, probably in 1911 according to library records. But first it was a post office and later a grocery store, according to Sam Stinson.
• The imposing Cooper-Smith House at 301 Main St. was built in 1911 with all of the amenities of the time, including a private bowling alley in the back yard.
• The Mellon-Lipham House, at 315 Choccolocco St., stirs the imagination towards a mansion inhabited by a wealthy family. The style is high Victorian Queen Anne. Inside were ornate mantles, stained glass windows and beautiful woodwork.
• Main Street farmers market, a Historic Main Street attraction, is held on Thursday evenings at Simmons Park, near Oxford’s First Baptist Church. The theme for this week is "Mater Mash, Salsa Spotlight" (with tomatoes and homemade salsa). On July 2, come to "Blues, Brews and Barbecues" (the brew will be iced tea). "Dog Daze of Summer" on July 9 will raise funds for animal shelters. The market is open from 3-8 p.m. Thursdays and will continue through Aug. 27.
For more information on Historic Main Street Oxford, call Harris at 256-453-9298.
Tickets on sale for Michael W. Smith
The Knox Concert Series and Oxford Arts Council present Grammy Award-winner Michael W. Smith on July 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oxford Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $35-$55.
One person sure to be present is Jane Batey, who knows Smith’s music well and has seen his songs in Baptist hymnals. A hymn she sings often is "Great is the Lord," written by Smith in 1982.
He is a monumental force in the field of Christian music, in Batey’s opinion. "He has worked with well-known artists such as Amy Grant and remains a standard feature in contemporary music. This man impresses me because he has stayed true to the theology behind his compositions," Batey said.
He is also a masterful pianist, she added. "I look forward to the musicianship he will bring and I am anxious to meet him." Batey said. "Those who are at the concert will be blessed."
Tickets can be purchased by calling 256-241-3322 or by going to www.oxfordpac.org.
Contact Hervey Folsom at herveyfolsom@yahoo.com.
