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Then and now
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This week’s photos look toward Sylva from the former Jackson County Fairgrounds (top photo), which was once known as “Baum Bottom.” The area that now comprises Mark Watson Park was first home to the county’s annual agricultural fairs and then to Sylva’s elementary and high schools. The first fair was held in 1908 on College Hill but moved to Baum Bottom the following year. After the 1909 fair, the Jackson County Fair Association incorporated and bought part of Baum Bottom and built grandstands, exhibition buildings and stalls for the popular event. The 1924 opening of Sylva Central High School, which was once located to the right of the tent in the top photo before it was torn down in 1990, ended the fairs. During Sylva High’s more than 35-year existence, its football field was located more or less where Mark Watson’s current ball fields are; Sylva-Webster opened in 1960 and the high school football field was converted into Little League fields. In October 1945, Sylva High’s football field was named Mark Watson Field in honor of a popular coach killed during World War II. Sylva Elementary was built in 1929 and educated local children until Fairview opened. After Sylva Elementary closed during the 1973-74 school year, the county’s recreation department inherited the property and ball fields and the elementary school building, which was torn down shortly thereafter. The park became known as Mark Watson Park around 1976 through the efforts of local Jaycees. – Photo courtesy of Rachel Phillips (top) and Herald photo by Nick Breedlove
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