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Town of Calhoun, South Carolina Oral History Collection

RamseyJ Cassette 1, Side 1

Media

Part of Interview: Ramsey, Jane Vandiver

Title

RamseyJ Cassette 1, Side 1

Source

Jane Vandiver Ramsey Interview

Date

1988-08-21

Description

Cassette 1

Side 1

00:23: Jane Vandiver Ramsey is aged 82 in 1988. The Vandiver family came to Calhoun in April of 1919. They were originally from near Toccoa, Georgia. Her father had worked on the construction of the double-track that ran near Calhoun. Her brother Hubert was attending Clemson as a cadet, so the family decided to move to the area.

2:08: The Vandiver house on the corner of Calhoun Street and Concord Road had, according to family research, been originally constructed as early as the 1850's. Mrs. Vandiver Ramsey states that Megginson's own relatives the Carey's (John Carey and family) lived in the house before the Vandiver's. John Boggs lived there for a time; it was during this period that the house was expanded in size.

3:19: Mrs. Vandiver Ramsey describes the architectural aspects and general dimensions of the house. It had an L-shaped porch with a swing and two chimneys. The house had been painted when they first bought it, but the house in general needed refurbishment.

7:17: The original builders of the house are not known. Nevertheless, it is believed to be one of the oldest homes in Calhoun.

9:27: Her father was named Johnson Jeremiah Vandiver. He was a railroad man. The family utilized the train during their move to Calhoun by shipping furniture from one place to another. The location of the overpass has always been in its present location according to her recollection. She can remember station agent Tom White who worked at the depot. As a child she did not go near the railroad.

23:14: Her impressions of Calhoun upon first glance were that it was a typical small southern town. She can remember the Boggs and Smith stores, and gives brief recollections regarding both.

24:18: Mrs. Vandiver Ramsey recalls the utilities that were available to her home in those early years. The family installed Delco lights in 1922. She explains what she knows about this particular lighting system. Stoves were usually either wood or coal burning. There was no indoor plumbing until around 1940, though the Smith boarding house had indoor plumbing as early as 1933. Telephone service was available, but the exact year cannot be recalled. Clemson seemed to get utility services before Calhoun. The family kept an indoor icebox.

31:48 --- Audio ends.

Rights

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.