Branchville Rebuilds After Destructive Tornado

WELCOME TO THE BRAND NEW BRANCH JUNCTION OF RAYLRODE DAZE FESTIVUL.

Johnny and Buckshot Dukes, along with Judy have a lot to be proud of. They have come back from the disaster of the tornado and are doing everything possible to be open for the Annual Raylrode Daze Festivul this year -- 2008.

Victory of the Tornado should be the theme of the Festivul this year.

Destroyed in the Tornado was THE CHURN -- Branchville, South Carolina's favorite place away from home to eat. But, it is the first of the downtown businesses which were completely destroyed on that terrible March 15th tornado to be comepletely rebuilt, and should be ready to go full steam ahead by the 2008 Raylrode Daze Festivul. The cheese burgers and fries should be even better than ever. Stop by and say hello to Buckshot, Johnny and Judy -- they eventually won the battle with the tornado. Others are to follow.

Four brand new buildings which were donated to Branch Junction by the Orangeburg County Council which is Chaired by Branchville citizen Harry Wimberly -- Thanks Mr. Chairman and Councilmen and Women.

The rusticity is gone with the wind, but at least Branch Juction is now back on the map again.

See ya'll at the Ralerode Daze Festivul at the end of the month.

This building, which has long been a favorite in the Branch Junction for those citizens of Branchville, S.C., and those from elsewhere, who annually enjoy the Raylrode Daze Festivul was greatly damaged by the tornado of March 15, 2008. It has recently been replaced by a rebuilt two story building, but it has none of the rustic look that we are all used to.
THINGS CHANGE -- ESPECIALLY, IF THEY ARE IN THE PATH OF A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO

The Red Dog Saloon -- the place where many memories have been made for decades in Branchville at the Branch Junction during the Annual Raylrode Daze was completely destroyed, but it, too, has been rebuilt and will be ready for the many visitors who more than double the population of Branchville during the last full week-end of September each year.

Come out for the NEW BRANCH JUNCTION

THE TORNADO IN BRANCHVILLE (SC) MARCH 2008

AS I WAS STANDING IN THE CHECKOUT LINE IN THE DOLLAR GENERAL STORE LAST SATURDAY A LITTLE AFTER 7:00 pm, THE STORE'S LIGHTS WENT DARK, AND IT WAS ALMOST TOTALLY DARK OUTSIDE IN TERRIBLE WEATHER.

IN FACT, THERE WAS A TORNADO WATCH WHICH I HAD OBSERVED BEFORE GOING TO THE STORE.

THE POLICY OF THAT COMPANY IS THAT WHEN LIGHTS GO OUT, THE DOORS ARE LOCKED IN ORDER TO KEEP THOSE INSIDE THERE, AND TO KEEP OUT POTENTIAL LOOTERS.

SUDDENLY, THE STORE MANAGER, WHO HAD BEEN AT HOME MONITORING THE AREA WEATHER, ARRIVED AND UNLOCKED THE FRONT DOOR AND INSTRUCTED EVERYONE TO GET HOME AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AS I STEPPED OUTSIDE THE STORE, I SAW THE WESTERN SKIES FILLED WITH THE DARKEST OF STORM CLOUDS, INCLUDING ONE VERY HIGH REACHING VERTICAL CLOUD.

IT WAS NO DOUBT THE ONE WHICH CONTAINED THE TORNADO.

I TRIED TO OUTRACE THE TORNADO.

BUT, IT ARRIVED AT MY HOME JUST SECONDS AFTER I DID.

THE SHRUBS AROUND MY HOME WERE BEING TWISTED QUICKLY INDICATING TORNADIC TYPE WINDS.

MY WIFE AND I FOUND REFUGE IN THE SAFEST PLACES IN THE HOME.

WE SUFFERED NO INJURIES.

UPON LOOKING OUTSIDE, OUR PROPERTY SUFFERED NO DAMAGE OF A SERIOUS NATURE.

I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN WALKING THE FIVE OR SIX BLOCKS TO THE HOME OF MY 93 YEAR OLD MOTHER-IN-LAW WHO LIVES ALONE.

BEFORE I ARRIVED AT HER HOME, I CAME UPON TORNADO DAMAGE.

"THE CHURN", A VERY POPULAR EATING PLACE IN TOWN WAS COMPLETLY DEMOLISHED.

SUDDENLY, THE RELIEF WHICH I HAD BEEN FEELING, WAS BEGINNING TO SLIP AWAY.

I SPED UP ON MY TRIP TO MY WIFE'S MOTHER.

HER HOUSE WAS TOTALLY DARK.

SHE WAS SITTING IN HER DEN ALONG WITH A THOUGHFUL NEIGHBOR WHO HAD COME TO HER AID.

MY NEXT CONCERNS WERE THE THREE STORES WHICH MY SON-IN-LAW OWNED DOWNTOWN.

ALL THERE WERE STILL THERE.

BUT, THE REAR OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE EATERY WAS GONE. SUCKED OUT BY THE TREMENDOUS TORNADIC FORCES WHICH STRUCK IT.

ONE OF THE VERY LARGE PLATE GLASS WINDOWS, AND A SMALLER ONE, WAS ALSO DESTROYED.

TWO METAL AWNINGS ON HIS HARDWARE STORE WERE BLOWN DOWN AND WRAPPED AROUND THE UTILITY POLE OUT FRONT OF THE TOWN'S BANK BUILDING NEXT DOOR.

AND THERE WERE STRESS FRACTURES EVIDENT ON THE SIDE OF THE HARDWARE STORE.

DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THOSE THREE BUILDINGS WAS THE BRANCHVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA TOWN HALL.

WELL, IT USED TO BE THERE.

IT WAS ABOUT 100 YEARS OLD, AND WAS TWO STORIES, AND OF VERY STRONG CONSTRUCTION -- IT'S WALLS WERE THREE BRICKS THICK.

THE ROOF HAD BEEN LIFTED UP, THE SECOND FLOOR HAD BEEN BLOWN AWAY, AND THE ROOF HAD RESETTLED UPON THE LOWER STORY, BUT IT WAS WAY OUT OF KILTER.

THREE DAYS LATER, THE TOWN HALL BUILDING OF BRANCHVILLE HAD BECOME A HEAP OF REFUSE OUT AT THE TOWN'S CAMPGROUNDS.

NOT EVEN THE CONCRETE FOUNDATION REAMAINED WHERE THE TOWN HALL HAD SAT FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS.

AND NOW, THE OFFICIALS WHO GATHERED FROM VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE DECLARED THAT ALL THREE OF MY SON-IN-LAWS BUILDINGS MUST ALSO BE BULL DOZED INTO OBLIVION.

ACTS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL, IN THE END, CREATE MORE DESTRUCTION THAN THE TORNADO DID.

GOVERNMENT BY NATURE IS DESTRUCTIVE.

RONDALD REAGAN SAID THAT THE MOST DANGEROUS WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WERE: "I AM WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND I AM HERE TO HELP YOU."

MAY THE GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN HELP US ALL!!!

EDDIE ON THE RIGHT

Branchville's Tornado - March 2008

The 2008 Battle of Rivers Bridge Re-Enactment

CROWD OF OBSERVERS OF THE 2008 REENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE OF RIVERS BRIDGE ENJOY THE BEST WEATHER IN MANY YEARS OF THE ANNUAL GATHERING IN EARLY FEBRUARY IN THE LOWCOUNTRY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AS THE SMOKE RISES FROM THE CANNON FIRE UPON THE UNION TROOPS IN THE SWAMPS OF THE SALKEHATCHIE RIVER NEAR EHRHARDT IN BAMBERG COUNTY.






CONFEDERATE ARTILARY ON THE HIGHGROUND TAKES AIM ON THE UNION ENEMY IN THE SWAMPS OF THE SALKEHATCHIE RIVER IN THE LOWCOUNTRY OF BAMBERG COUNTY SOUTH CAROLINA AT THE RE-ENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE OF RIVERS BRIDGE IN EARLY FEBRUARY OF 2008 TO COMMERATE THE BATTLE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN EARLY FEBRUARY OF 1865 NEAR THE END OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.



THE CAVALRY HORSES EYEBALL ONE ANOTHER, AS DO THEIR CONFEDERATE CAVALRY RIDERS!!!



BEFORE THE TROOPS TAKE TO THE BATTLEFIELDS OF WAR, THERE IS THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM, THE TIME OF REFLECTING ON THE PREVIOUS BATTLES AND THE TIME OF REFRESHMENT OF BODY AND SPIRIT WITH REST AND NOURISHMENT AROUND THE EVER PRESENT CAMPFIRES AND TENTSITES.



THE BEAUTY OF THE HORSES AND THE PAGENTRY OF THE RIDERS OF THE CAVALRY IS ALWAYS A FAVORITE WITH THE ATTENDEES WHO NOT ONLY LEARN THE TRUTHS OF SOUTHERN HISTORY, BUT ALSO ENJOY THE MANY OFFERINGS AT THE VENDORS OF CONFEDERATE MEMORABILIA AND DOWN HOME SOUTHERN FOODS AND DRINKS AT THE ANNUAL RE-ENACTMENTS OF THE BATTLE OF RIVERS BRIDGE IN BAMBERG COUNTY OF THE LOWCOUNTRY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.



THE TWO REBELS -- CORNBREAD AND "ROBBIE" LOADHOLDT RENEW THEIR BOND AS COMPATRIOTS
ANNUALLY AT THE BATTLE OF RIVERS BRIDGE RE-ENACTMENT.


On February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2008 -- Once again, there was a re-enactment of the
Battle of Rivers Bridge in the South Carolina Lowcountry, on the banks of the Salkehatchie River Swamp between the Confederate Army in defense of its beloved Southern Homeland, against the treacherous invaders from the Union, who desired to deny the Southerners their rightful INDEPENDENCE.
THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE WAS THE SAME THIS YEAR, AS IT WAS IN 1865, AND AS IT HAS BEEN AT ALL OF THE RE-ENACTMENTS WITCH BEGAN IN 1965.
But, at the closing of all of these RE-ENACTMENTS, there is witnessed by the many in the crowd, a spirit of fellowship and respect for our re-united Republic under the colors of Old Glory, and she continues to wave so beautifully in the Southern Sunshine.
THE WEATHER IN THE 2008 RE-ENACTMENT WAS THE BEST EVER. A VERY GOOD SIGN OF AN EVEN
BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE. -- eddie

Freight Depot Adorned With New Roof At Branchville, S.C. -- Hisotric Railroad Depot -- WORLD'S FIRST AND OLDEST RR JUNCTION!!!

BRANCHVILLE'S NEWEST ROOF

BRANCHVILLE'S NEWEST ROOF ADORNS THE CENTURIES OLD SOUTHERN RAILROAD'S FREIGHT DEPOT.
IT IS LOCATED AT THE FIRST -- AND OLDEST -- RAILROAD FREIGHT DEPOT.
IT IS A NEIGHBORING RAILROAD DEPOT TO THE ACROSS THE TRACKS BRANCHVILLE
RAILROAD SHRINE AND RAILROAD PASSENGER DEPOT.
BRANCHVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA'S RAILROAD HISTORY IS CELEBRATED HERE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY OF OUR BELOVED PALMETTO STATE IN THE FALL OF EACH YEAR WITH THE BRANCHVILLE RAYLROAD DAYZE FESTIVUL.
YA'LL COME!!!

A New Roof Adorns Freight Depot of Branchville, S.C.

Branchville, South Carolina, has been the location of the WORLD'S FIRST, AND OLDEST, RAILROAD JUNCTION, since about 150 years ago.

Also, Branchville has proudly been the location of both PASSENGER AND FREIGHT DEPOTS for most of those ONE AND ONE-HALF CENTURIES.

BUT CENTURIES OF TIME TAKE THEIR TOLLS ON MEN AND THE THINGS OF MEN.

Most recently, the greatest noticable toll was upon the ages old roof of the old Historical RR Freight Depot of Branchville, S.C. And, also, there were many portions of the structure of the old, and almost forgotten freight depot, which had begun to rot and tumble to the ground.

AT LAST!!! GOVERNMENT GRANTS CAME TO THE RESCUE!!!

NOT, IRONICALLY, GENERAL GRANT, NOR HIS FLUNKEY GENERAL SHERMAN, BUT

GOVERNMENT GRANTS. (with all of their strings attached)

Not enough funds in the GOVERNMENT GRANTS pot-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow were available for a complete restoration of the crumbling old freight depot, but, at least, there has

been a welcomed beginning of THE RESTORATION OF THE BRANCHVILLE RAILROAD

FREIGHT DEPOT.

THE BEGINNING began just before the 2007 Thanksgiving/Christmas Holiday Season. What a

wonderful gift to Branchville from that old gift giver Santa Clause, who in this case was disguised in an UNCLE SAM'S COSTUME. WHATEVER???

So, a large crew of ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM SOUTH OF THE BORDER showed up with their tools and energy to RESTORE THE RR FREIGHT DEPOT'S ROOF, and make a few more small

restorations, and to haul off the refuse which had accumulated over many years of abuse and neglect.

But, unfortunately, a great safety hazard has been left behind by the crew of ILLEGAL ALIENS & their boss.

There is a set of very fragil steps which lead up to a platform which has many missing boards and many exposed nails which would cause great physical injuries to any youngsters of Branchville, or those of tourists, who occasionally stop to partake of the HISTORICAL TREASURES OF BRANCHVILLE, S.C., at the RAILROAD FREIGHT DEPOT and the neighboring BRANCHVILLE RR SHRINE AND PASSENGER DEPOT.