The Old Porter Moody Store

by Shelia Hunt

Title

The Old Porter Moody Store

Artist

Shelia Hunt

Medium

Photograph - Photograph And Digital Creations

Description

The old Porter Moody Store at Sullivan County, Tennessee is an icon in the Childress Ferry Community near Fall Creek. Built in the early 1900s by Porter Lafayette Moody (1878-1961), the little country store is weather-worn and dilapidated, and has certainly seen its better days. The little store is still standing as a testament to the rich history of Sullivan County.

The Porter Moody Store was not “my” country store, but I do have a passion for the history of Fall Creek and its people, and the old country stores we knew when we were growing up.

The old country store... I do have beautiful memories of walking barefoot down a dusty road to the old country store, with sheer determination to survive the blazing hot sun, with the only solace for the journey being those patches of deep, dark shade as the road wandered through the woods. The real consolation prize was the Nehi Orange waiting for me in that cooler filled with water and ice that sent you into hypothermia when you fished around in the cooler to find your drink. Smiles.

Locals describe the country store as the hub of community activity. The porch of the old country store had the classic red Coca Cola sign and a bench with one or two old men whittling and chewing tobacco, and maybe a little music on a Saturday night. Furnishings on the inside of the store included a few ladder-back chairs and a pot-bellied stove for those miserably cold winter months. It was kind of creepy when you looked overhead and saw all the sugar-cured hams in burlap bags hanging everywhere, but that was soon forgotten when your Grandmother fried a few slices of country ham for breakfast, not to mention the gravy and biscuits that would bring you to your knees.

I remember those half-gallon jars with red lids and assorted candies, and the beautiful bolts of calico for dresses. Then there was the handmade counter with sacks of flour behind it, and you were thrilled when it was your turn to pick the sack of flour with the pretty print that would one day be your dress. Flour and feed sacks were made of cotton; after the Great Depression extending into World War II and the fifties and early sixties, the manufacturers printed fabrics with colorful patterns for the flour sacks that could be used for making dresses or other items for the family after the flour had been used. And yes, I did have a flour-sack dress. Just one. My Grandmother made it for me, and it was special.

And there was the old cliché about the R.C. Cola and a Moon Pie... Guess I was deprived, as I never heard of that and never had the chance to enjoy it. Some say the Moon Pies are not the same today as they were “back in the day”. And just for the record, here, we never called a drink a “dope”. Not once. Not ever. It’s worse... Everything was a “Coke”.

Today, the few country stores that are left are now overtaken with vines, but the memories still remain. I do love our old country stores, and especially the Old Porter Moody Store in Historic Sullivan County.

This artistic view of the Old Porter Moody Store is a digital version with a textured overlay of a photograph I took when Fall colors were at peak. As I viewed the little store on that crisp autumn day, I was captivated by the rich tapestry of colors that enveloped this charming little structure. The fiery red and burnt orange leaves whisper tales of bygone eras, while the old store’s rustic charm stands as a testament to history.

This artwork captures the essence of that moment – a blend of history and nature's beauty. The soft, textured overlay adds depth, making the image come alive. It's a visual symphony of the past and the present, an invitation to immerse yourself in the nostalgia of fall in Tennessee. This print is perfect for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone who cherishes the serenity of autumn. Hang it in your home or office, and let the old Porter Moody Store’s timeless beauty bring home the memories of rural Tennessee.

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©Copyright 2023 Shelia Steele Hunt. All Rights Reserved. This artwork is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Image may not be copied, reproduced for any reason without express written permission of the artist. The Fine Art America logo will not appear on your printed image. Thank you for visiting my gallery... I hope you find something that captures your heart.

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October 25th, 2023

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