Industrial <omplc« developing ol Aitpinci,
о
unique center in Scotland County.
Airpine — a New Idea in
Industrial Development
Laurinburg and Max ton have taken
a pumpkin and turned it into a
dazzling coach which is hurrying down
the road of industrial progress. From
World War II to 1955. Laurinburg-
Maxton Air Base sat among the weeds,
an island of deserted buildings in a
sea of useless land. Now, under the
name of Airpine the old airbase may
become North Carolina's most unusual
industrial park.
Located on 5.700 acres between
Shoe Heel Creek and Lumber River.
Airpine has been released by the gov¬
ernment to a joint commission from
the two towns. It is the only park in
America where Class A manufactur¬
ing concerns operate side by side with
a 900-acre pasture and feed lot for
the commercial fattening of beef cattle.
Airpine's stock on the hoof amounted
to some 4.000 head in 1961 and 1962.
Swift and Co. is the biggest con¬
tractor at present. Strategically situ¬
ated downwind from less odorous en¬
terprises. the pasture has total facilities
for 30.000 head of cattle.
Eight industries are currently lo¬
cated in the park. Many of them have
occupied existing buildings and hang¬
ars left when the air base was shut
down. One hundred zoned industrial
sites are available, and prospects are
good that there will be eventual takers
for all of them.
The Airport Commission has made
elaborate and detailed plans for the
development of their immense facility.
Pine trees have been planted on 2,-
000 acres, roads are being improved;
and industrial employees can look for¬
ward to a deluxe recreation center,
restaurant, bank, post office, drug
store, and service station. One run¬
way is being maintained for the use of
private planes.
Compctely financed and managed
by local people. Airpine holds out a
lure to the home-seeking industry. The
surroundings are beautiful, the plans
are extremely professional, the fa-
ciliticN will be unrivaled; and even the
steers, munching leisurely in their
wooded pasture, lend a sense of quiet
serenity and relaxation to the setting.
Temperance
Hall
Richmond Temperance and Liter¬
ary Society, established in 1855. first
met at Spring Hill Academy, but by
I860 had its own building, now re¬
stored and open for Sunday visitors.
Members who violated the temper¬
ance pledge were fined five dollars
for the first offence and were expelled
on the second.
The membership was represented by
stars painted on the ceiling: a gold
star for the living, a white one for the
deceased. Books were loaned and com¬
positions assigned. Topics of current
or philosophical interest were debated
in the little hexagonal hall. Some of
the more interesting conclusions were:
to denounce the Scotch Fair because
of the carousing that went on there;
that an agricultural society would
benefit the community; that the most
valuable professions were in or¬
der: teaching, printing, blacksmilhing,
farming, moulding, and tailoring. A
resolution at the beginning of the Civil
War read. "May each man return as
sober, moral and upright as he now
is."
A break in the records is followed
by the words. "After considerable in¬
terruption. caused by an unwelcome
visit of Sherman's army, the Society
met again and marshalled out their
little band with three cheers for tem¬
perance and literature.”
The restored meeting house stands
across from Spring Hill Cemetery
about I Zi miles west of Wagram. Any¬
body in town will be glad to direct
you to this fascinating landmark. John
Charles McNeill is buried in the ceme¬
tery there, and memorial gardens have
been planned to further beautify the
site.
THE STATE, SCPTEMBCP 29. 1962
