The public is invited to attend a presentation by artist and retired art educator Dr. Hedy Lonero at Isothermal Community College’s Polk Center in Columbus Monday, April 23 at 2 p.m.
Dr. Lonero will speak about the history of the Earle’s Fort/ Four Columns area and will  display four maps she created through her research of the region. Her research documents events and people of the area where the North Pacolet River crosses the N.C./S.C. border and from Red Fox Road to I-26.
The four poster-sized works pictorially display the periods of 1776-1815, 1815-1900, 1900-1970 and 1970-2010. Each map is surrounded by hand-lettered text that tells the story of the genealogy and history of families from the area. Families included are the Earles, Mills, Hamptons, Landrums, Lees, Christophers, Princes, Slaters, Stotts and Jacksons, many of whose descendants still live in the area.
The point of view of the Cherokee Indian tribe before the Revolutionary War gives the back-story for the Hannon massacre. Other facts and events shown include the site of John Earle’s fort and the effect of the Civil War and the world wars on the local people and their land. Lesser known highlights include influence of the Red-Strings, gold mining, cotton growing and the railroad.
– article submitted
by Kate Barkschat