Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
su ueiuies.
Mr. Helmick planned to rebuild the mill and rent out apartments on the second floor. The first floor is subject to floods, even more than in its heyday, because roads that have been rebuilt since the business closed tend to dam up the Thomton River in floods. Mr. Helmick decided not to try to put anything permanently in the first floor, but to use it once a month for antique auctions.
The reaction of residents of the Laurel Mills community was to circulate a petition opposing any commercial use of the building. They warned of potential traffic tie ups on a road where traffic does not slow down. They complained in advance about noise. They brought up one significant issue. When an auction is being held, where will cars park?
Of course estate auctions are held regularly in the county, and cars simply park along the roadside, but that would not do as a plan for a commercial enterprise.
Perhaps the parking problem can not be solved, but it seems worthwhile to make the effort.
Rappahannock County has several old mills. Most are wooden structures which cannot take much more flooding. They serve as reminders of the days when our ancestors, living without electricity, took advantage of the energy in falling waters to grind grain, saw logs, and even weave wool into cloth.
It will be a tragedy if all these structures are lost. A piece of our heritage will be gone forever. And these buildings cannot be saved unless their owners have some hope of recovering the significant costs of restoring them.
What would be the harm to the Laurel Mills of monthly auctions? Auction goers would probably flock to the country store. Those disappointed in not being able to purchase something they wanted at the auction might find something they want as much in the antique shop below the store. Perhaps if truly fine antiques find their way to these auctions, bidders might plan an overnight stay in the nearby bed and breakfast.
The instinctive rejection of every proposed change to Rappahannock County seems ultimately self defeating.
97.2%