The fascination of history

Rachel was in Rector last week to gather information for the tour, which should prove fascinating.

Along with others, I helped Rachel prepare for the tour and it was very interesting to uncover some new facts (in my understanding) about the community. While here, she talked with Steve Crancer, Byron Underwood and Leland Blackshare about the community and spent time in the Rector Public Library looking at old photos and studying the history columns of Barbara McKeel that have run in this newspaper for several years.

I must say right off the bat that I am not going to be able to be present for the tour because of the birthday party of our three-year-old granddaughter. But I hope everyone who is available will be present for this interesting event.

Looking at some of the information at the library and also joining in on the discussion with the Rectorites already mentioned was quite a process for me personally.

In looking at some of the history of the downtown, it is almost like a jigsaw puzzle as one attempts to put together what business went where and in what time frame. Some of the old photos are indeed highly interesting and tell a wonderful story about the community. They show how Rector has changed over the years, some for the better and some not so much.

This town does indeed have a fascinating history and, as one state official said a couple of years ago, the downtown area has a great "stock" of old buildings just waiting to be renovated and restored. It is a shame that some have been lost, but there are still a lot remaining. Of course, it takes time, money and dedication to accomplish that. We are trying to do just that through the Rector Downtown Central Association. The challenge for many of you is to get involved in the effort and try to bring back some of the excitement and beauty to downtown Rector.

A solid start will be a good turnout for the history tour at 11 Saturday. Be present if you can.

And, in the meantime, why not share through this blog some of your memories of the earlier days in downtown Rector and the community as a whole?