Where the Civil War Ended & the Future Begins
The Civil War ended 143 years and 28 days ago in the back yards of many of our ancestors. When I watch this video, I wonder how my third-great grandfather, his wife and his two sons must have felt to feel the fury of battle so close at hand. They lived near Fishpond Creek, a stone’s throw from where the battle ended.
Although my ancestors were too poor to own slaves, they were embroiled in a war that held little promise for the south’s future. Appomattox was a mere blip on the map then, and it’s now much more now. At the end of the Civil War, industry suffered, train routes were destroyed, and crops failed because so many men were away at war (and so many crops and livestock were stolen or confiscated by both sides for their men). Yet, my ancestors found home here for over a century. There’s something about Appomattox that captures the imagination, even if it didn’t hold the distinction of being the point where this nation came together with the abolishment of slavery.
But, it does hold that distinction, and it’s a proud one. And, with rising gas prices, a war in Iraq, low wages, and other economic and political problems at hand, Appomattox can gain a foothold for its residents financially by promoting tourism. Not only does Appomattox hold the cornerstone to the end of the Civil War - it holds family histories for people who have lived in this area for many decades. So many families have come from this part of the country, and so many still remain - a legacy that holds genealogical treasures in for ancestors and strangers alike.
As publisher of Appomattox News, I proud to say that we had over 840 unique visitors to this site within the past month. That means that this site enjoyed 840 new people who viewed almost 1,200 pages (about 1.5 pages per person). The average Web site enjoys many more visitors, but fewer page views. And, this publication is only weeks old. That means that Appomattox News must hold interest to visitors, even if they don’t live in this area. In fact, only 180 viewers were from Virginia, and the majority of those were from Lynchburg.
What does this mean? It means that people are interested in Appomattox. They want to know how this area fares today - 143 years and 28 days after the end of the Civil War. And, I’m proud that this publication holds interest for readers, as I believe that it reflects the intellect, wit, and positive attitudes that are prevalent in this area. I will continue to hold this publication to that track - to feature the best of what Appomattox has to offer, both to its residents and to visitors.
To this end, I’d like to introduce our newest writer, Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. He will be writing about the arts in Appomattox through his twice-monthly column, Steam-Powered Arts Review. His first column, which debuts today, is about the up-and-coming Appomattox Theatre.
I’d also like to welcome Bill Klein on board. As husband of my managing editor, Pamela Matlack Klein, he brings a subtle wit to his column, Homesick Blues. When you read his columns, you’ll understand why he’s so homesick…he’s seldom home in Appomattox.
Lastly, I’d like to thank Mary, my right hand, for taking over Appomattox Calendar and filling in the events so everyone can stay informed about what’s happening in Appomattox County. There’s so much to do, and so little time!
In the future, I hope to expand this publication to include sporting events. I’m open to interns who might want to fill this position (high school editors? local sports fans?). This could lead to a paying position, after you learn about how to avoid split infinitives. Additionally, the other Appomattox sites will come on board soon. This means that more people will visit the sites, which will hold information about Appomattox history, genealogy, and real estate. The more visitors to these sites, the more people who will know about Appomattox and its place on the map and in history.
Thank you for joining us. I hope you’ll support us with your readership as we continue to grow along with Appomattox.
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