Friday, March 13, 2009

The Bragg House

The Bragg House, near Camden, Arkansas, was built by Peter Newport Bragg in 1848. Grancy and Poosie, my maternal grandparents, lived in this house during my early youth, and I spent every Sunday afternoon playing there with my cousins while my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents talked about the news of the day.

Pictured above is a Christmas card that I found in one of my mother's drawers a few years ago. I'm not sure what year my grandparents sent that card, but it was likely from the late '40's or early '50's. We never used the front door of the house when we would go for a visit. Rather we entered through the door you see on the left side, which led right into my grandparents' bedroom. One of the front rooms was carpeted, which was unusual at the time, and near the door to that room was a burned spot in the shape of an iron that was blamed on my Aunt Hedy, my mother's oldest sister.

The story goes that there were cannon balls in some of the trees on the property from a nearby Civil War skirmish. I can't verify that because I never saw them, but I do remember the large crape myrtles that lined the driveway and put on such a show of color in the early summer. Under those crape myrtles were clumps of daffodils whose folliage made perfect places for the Easter Bunny to hide eggs. But if we weren't careful, we'd reach in to grab an egg and come out with a bee sting. I also remember digging in the sandy yard for doodle bugs, catching lightening bugs in the early evening, and tying strings around the necks of white-headed bumble bees.

Behind the house was a pen where Poosie kept his registered Hampshire hogs. He loved taking his grandchildren to the pig pen and letting them "ride" the pigs. This is a picture of Poosie with my brother Tommy and an unnamed Hampshire.

I have heard that my grandparents tried to buy the house, but the owners, who were descendants of Mr. Bragg, wouldn't sell. Eventually, they built a home on property that my grandfather owned a couple of miles away, and my parents later built their own home next door.

If you'd like to read more about the Bragg House, click here.

To see what everyone else has brought to Show and Tell this Friday, drive on over the Kelli's house at There's No Place Like Home. Thanks for hosting, Kelli.

23 comments:

Bo said...

This was a great show & tell...now I think I know why you have that picture that makes me smile on your header...it reminds you of the wonderful days of riding Poosie's prized pigs! ;-) Bo

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Kathy thanks for stopping by my blog and the sweet comments, yep I think we enjoy each others blogs cause we have learned to live in the slow lane and enjoy our memories. I enjoyed the pictures and story of the Bragg House. I was surprised at you being able to ride the pigs...they must be a more gentle Bred than the reg. farm hogs we raised, you couldn't get near those they would hurt you in a heart beat.
Look forward to reading more on your blog.
Molly

Hootin Anni said...

Amazing. I love old postcards, and then you surprised us with such a great historical value too.

My show n tell is offered for viewing, won't you stop by sometime today and keep me company?

Have a terrific Friday and wonderful weekend.

Valerie said...

Morning,Kathy. Love the show-n-tell! I have decided that you should name the unnamed Hampshire, Wilbur, unless of course you desire to give that name to the pig in your picture! Afterall, you make a better Fern than your brother Tommy does! :) Thank you for the history lesson!

Secondhand Blessings said...

I've really enjoyed your show & tell this week. It's nice that you have such a complete family history and even have the pictures to back it up.
Brenda

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Beautiful house and what wonderful memories. I love your header picture and always want a copy of it, now I know why you chose it. It is just adorable. Hugs, Marty

SmilingSally said...

Memories are special and it is nice that you shared some. Thanks. Happy Show and Tell Friday.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I just love the story of you being the little girl in the painting riding the pig. I just think that's the cutest picture I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing the story. I love it. Hugs, Marty

Julie said...

What a wonderful story! I love the pictures! Thanks for sharing...Have a great Friday...Julie

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

What a terrific post! So interesting. I am going to follow the link to read more, but I had to tell you how I enjoyed that! How neat you found that Christmas card!

The Old Parsonage said...

I loved hearing the history behind the card and your wonderful memories!

Thanks for sharing!

Linda Q said...

Great show and tell, I love old photos and old family history.
So neat that you found that card.
Linda Q

Susan said...

Nice history.
Susan

Heather said...

what a great story!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Dear Kathy,

I enjoyed visiting your blog and learning a little about your life in the Slow Lane (although you seem quite busy at times) The picture and story was fun to read. So nice that you have such wonderful memories :)

Thank you for visiting my place and for your comment!

Kindly, ldh

Pam said...

What sweet memories from your past! It reminds me of when I was younger and spent summers with my grandparents on their farm.
I love the picture of your brother riding the pig. : )

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Kathy, I'm late getting here, due to some computer problems. This was such an interesting post. How cute those pictures are of the Easter egg hunt and the ride on the pig! I had aunts and uncles who lived in Camden. My uncle worked at the Camark Pottery factory, and when we visited, he'd take us there to let us pick out a piece of pottery to take home. laurie

momma said...

great pictures and story! i love the piggy-back rides :)

Robin said...

Oh, that is such a great story! I can just see you playing with your cousins and searching for Easter Eggs! And the pig....that is hilarious! How many people can say they used to "ride a pig?"

Thanks for all of your sweet comments on my blog!

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

Robin :o)

Anonymous said...

What a great story, and isn't it great to remember and see the great house with so many memories.

Susie Homemaker said...

This a fabulous glimpse into your family history! I really like stories like these...

Blessings,
Susie

Charlene said...

What wonderful memories of Braggs House you must have. Was that you in your little Easter Bonnet? Adorable! And I can't believe Poosie let you kids ride the pigs. They can be MEAN! Have a great weekend.

Kelli said...

Great show and tell! I enjoyed seeing your old family photos and hearing your special memories.
~Kelli