Grizzard & J. B. Harrell
In August of 2020 I took my youngest son, Malachi, out on a road trip with me. We discovered an old railroad depot in Grizzard, Virginia. And a historic old country store - J.B. Harrell. The tracks were long gone, but the station, general store, and a lone car still remained. And all are rich in history.
The depot and the town were named after George D Grizzard, who was the sheriff of Sussex County from 1883 until 1899, and who sold the right of way to the Atlantic and Danville Railway. The railway built a narrow-gauge branch line that ran from Emporia through the counties of Surry and Sussex all the way through Dendron to Claremont, where freight could be loaded on ships traveling the James River up to Petersburg.
Local historian, Virginia Mae Simmons, wrote that Mr. Grizzard’s tombstone was inscribed with, “An honest man is the noblest work of God.” She also noted that, “Mr. George Grizzard was a tall, aristocratic-looking gentleman, his very appearance commanding respect.” (1)
The depot where you’d book your passage or ship your goods.
In front of the depot is this unique tractor. No one has actually identified exactly what it did. Some think it was a potato harvestor.
Several people have commented on this caboose.
Michael Stirn wrote, “Those were rough riding caboose! Unlike other Class A carrier's, The Southern Railway didn't put cushioned drawheads in theirs. Odds are I rode in this one.”
Kim Harrell, who has been a wonderful resource, commented, “Jack Huber sent me the depot photo and some details on the train route and schedule (it was an actual passenger line, which I hadn't expected.)”
Wendi Harrell Simmons shared some of the history, “…the depot is original to the community. A railroad ran through near Rt 58 through Grizzard to the James River in Clairmont in the late 1800’s. My uncle purchased the caboose from a gentleman in Emporia and transferred to Grizzard years ago.”
Photograph curtesy of Jack Huber.
Here is a picture of the Grizzard depot in the 1920s while the railroad was still operating: The depot building is still standing, across the road from the store. It was on a branch of the old Atlantic and Danville Railroad, later operated by the Southern Railway. The railroad was built in the late 1880s and ran from Emporia to Claremont on the James River. The last regular train ran in 1932 although Gray Lumber Company operated their trains on it for a few years after that. The tracks were removed in about 1939.
The Southern Railroad was the last railway to use Grizzard as a depot.
Lindsey Bates commented, “This was my great-grandfathers store. It has stayed in the family and been maintained over the years. My great-grandad used to take his grandkids when they would visit to the store and let them fill a small paper bag of their favorite candy from the large glass candy jars on the counter.”
Miss Simmons, in an interview with Cooperative Living Northern Virginia Electric, September 2016 issue, stated, “When we were children, my brother Bryan and I would sneak away from the house and go down to the store to get some candy or cookies.” (1) But it seems they never needed any money because their granddaddy, Mr. Harrell, owned the store!
Lindsey’s mom, Jill Proctor Bates, wrote, “The store belonged to my grandfather Joseph Bryan Harrell, passed to his son Bryan Harrell and then to his son Martin Harrell who restored and kept the store and train depot in good shape.”
Jill Proctor told me, “This is my grandfather's store. I well remember being lifted up behind the counter to select all the candy I wanted to fill the tiny paper bag.”
Wendi Harrell Simmons commented, “the store you pictured in the post belonged to my great grandfather. His grandfather ran it first. JB Harrell and JB Harrell Jr. My grandfather Harrell owned it until his death in 1998. It was the local hangout and was very active…it is not open to the public. Mostly due to the unstable structure. It was on the local Woman’s Club tour one year but since then it just has memories.”
Martin Harrell started working at the store at the age of 8, stocking shelves, pumping gas (Esso at 17¢ a gallon!), and keeping a drink box full of ice and Pepsi Cola.
Donald Harrell wrote me, “This store was built in the early 1920's next to the original store that was torn down in the 1960's. It was owned and operated by my great grandfather (D. J. Harrell-died in 1932), then by my grandfather (J. B. "Jodie" Harrell-died in 1971), and then by my father (J. Bryan Harrell, Jr.-died in 1998). It has been closed since my father died. We grew up in the house behind the store and were in and out of the store dozens of times a day and helped ourselves to candy, cookies, ice cream, and soft drinks. In its heyday the store was a thriving business and the hub of the community where farmers from miles around and other locals gathered. I am fortunate to have some of the furniture and many other items from the store.”
Wendi Harrell Simmons again, “The store. Wow. So many memories. It was the local hangout. My great great grandfather owned one to the left of this one. Thanks for letting me share my memories!”
Dudley Harrell shared, “Was my Dad’s store. Helped when there from age 10 Store was busy until about age 15 then A and P grocery moved into Emporia - the areas first Supermarket….all country stores began to go out of business when that happened…Our store remained open until 1998 but not a lot of business…A great meeting place for area farmers at night and tenant farmers. The store is 100 years old and has old store antiques…It is an antique!!!”
Joan Harrell wrote, “My son loved to go to the store to see “Captain Bryant” as he called him. He would get a drink or popsickle and sit on the porch. My husband grew up going there with his father who farmed in the area. Wonderful memories.”
“Who was Captain Bryant?” I asked.
"He was the last of the Harrells to operate the store. He was a very nice man and loved by the community. He was Donald Harrell’s father. His real name was Bryant Harrell.”
Closed now, but on summer nights, around dusk you can probably hear the men folk sitting in those chairs talking about farming, hunting and fishing - and probably throwing in some tall tales. Inside there was a card game or checkers being played.
A more modern store opened up down the road, and of course Pepsi Cola was the preferred soda. This is probably the one Wendi Harrell Simmons said, “My great great grandfather owned one to the left of this one.” But it too is silent now.
But the community, and the Harrell family, still keep the memory of this place alive. In 2022 Kim Harrell sent me these photos of her getting a horse and carriage ready to participate in a min-parade to celebrate her “aunt Virginia Mae Simmons (AKA MaeMae to her friends)” birthday turning 100! It had to be a surprise too. “She's sharp as a tack. She's JB Harrell's oldest surviving child.”
Note the signage on the side: HAPPY BIRTHDAY - MAEMAE - 100
(1) reference from : https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?m=21572&i=332177&p=30&ver=html5
My thanks to all the people who contributed to this post, and especially Kim Harrell who has been a wonderful resource and historian.