If there is one thing North Carolina has is an abundance of roads. Not just city roads but long roads that pass through the county and into another. The roads are more often than not long, open, and pass through tiny farming communities that still seem the same as they were when I saw them as a child.
Things changed over the years. Newer and straighter vesions of the older roads became the preferred way of travel. The small communities were still accessible but by way of the exits that were miles apart from each other. Presently the remaining pull-offs for the vegetable and fruit stands have dwindled in number. Restaurants and snack bars have also dwindled in number. They were noted for their curb service, hotdogs and Carolina style hamburgers. They were independent and family-run businesses. They are sparse in number. The big fast food chains have moved in have come to catch most of the business at the top of the exits and entrances just off the main highways.
Even with all the new construction over the years the old, two lane state roads that run through county after county are still there. People still live in homes and work in businesses along them. I remember one of the best fruit flavored drinks I had as a kid was a Nehi Grape that came rom the roll top cooler beneath the long front window of an ages old country store set back from off the county road. You could hear the audible crunching sound beneath the tires as our old 1960 Ford Falcon station wagon rolled onto the grey gravel parking area. He would park beside the two Esso (now Exxon) gas pumps. Since the store was part grocery and gas station a station attendant checked with my dad and then immediately began pumping regular gasoline instead of the high-test brand.
As we continued along Old Highway 421 we passed through Spivey’s Corners. It has the distinction of being the Hollerin’ Capital of the World. The Hollerin’ Contest was started 1969 and held annually until 2015. As we passed through it, when I was young, Spivey’s Corner was basically an intersection with a single flashing red light. In the four corners of the intersection were situated a small restaurant that had been there years before. Across the road was a public school that had already closed and was falling into disrepair. Directly across from it was a small country store and fruit stand. In my adult years my wife and I stopped there top off our gas and grab a couple of snacks on our wayn home. The small store boasted shelves of groceries but only enough to complete an evening meal but not enough for shopping for the week. It is curious with our frequent trips to my wife’s grandathers cottage in at Carolina Beach how few times we stopped at the store on the way back to Winston Salem and none on the way to Wilmington. No particular reason why. It just happend to work out that way.
Since my family lost my dad on 2012 I have not travelled down Old Highway 421 in either direction. To be sure the road has seen some changes since then. If so I have yet to see them. Maybe one day I will be able to take a trip along the highway and see what, if anything has changed. Until then my experience with the long two lane road will have to remain relegated to memory.
Tarheel State Curious 