The Village Green
Looking back and ahead
~ by Julia Pearson
“ Moser and Henderson playing checkers” by Frank M. Hohenberger, courtesy The Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
“ There’ s only‘ bout two places left any more where a feller don’ t get skinned – th’ post office an’ th’ town pump.”
— Abe Martin’ s Almanack by Kin Hubbard
Old Abe Martin’ s spirit must surely be smiling somewhere in the mist of the early mornings in Brown County. A first class postage stamp has gone DOWN in price— enough to buy two penny postcards. And the comforts of the town pump are being resurrected in downtown Nashville with the revitalization of the Village Green. At the intersection of Jefferson and Main streets, town restrooms will open this season and be available year-round for locals and town visitors. Included are two familydesignated restrooms, with the convenience of changing tables and toddler seats. There will also be a“ comfort station”— an inside retreat that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thanks to the installation of high efficiency heat and air conditioning units. Replacing the public restroom facilities in Antique Alley, these new restrooms have amenities that include a lactation station for nursing mothers. There are plans to make a children’ s play area next to the restrooms with seating along porch. The town pump will be refurbished by the Rotary club.
The Town Square( now the Village Green) was a significant part of Nashville life. Early archival records and photos chronicle the town square of yesteryear. As early as 1881, fencing and tree planting were a point of public business of the Town Board
“ Marble game at public square” by Frank M. Hohenberger, courtesy The Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
24 Our Brown County May / June 2016