Tiny Town

Welcome to Tiny Town

     As a child during Christmas, I remember my parents saying we are going to Tiny Town. My brothers and I would be so excited because we knew we were going to see all the tiny houses with the dolls, cars, figurines, trains, nativity scene, etc. We knew we would get to go inside the tiny cabin, sit in the chairs, close the door and look out the tiny window.  This place was magical to us. My parents would load us up in the car and anyone else that wanted to go with us to visit this special place. It seemed like we rode forever and then there it was, you could see the lights from afar; so many lights. My parents pulled over on the side of the road and I remember the car always felt like it was going to turn over because of the ditch that they had to park next to. My brothers and I would jump out of the car, then you would hear my parents yelling at us to wait.  They told us we had to hold their hands because we have to watch out for the cars passing by. We always ran to the tiny cabin first, the one that we could go inside. After, we walked around looking at all the other fascinating things that Tiny Town had to offer. Tiny Town was part of our Christmas, and we looked forward to it every year.

Tiny cabin, can you still fit inside?

The start of Tiny Town, the Log Church

   
      Perry and Ollie Jennings started Tiny Town in 1974, it started with one log church in their yard. Ollie loved Christmas, and in 1977 she put lights on the tiny log church. It is evident around Tiny Town that she also loved and collected dolls; everywhere you look, you see dolls of all kinds.  The Jennings use to have 80 buildings in their yard at one time.  They built during the summer time and decorated them at Christmas. As you walk around Tiny Town you will see many different themes:  Elvis, Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, McDonalds, Disney World, 3 Manger Scenes, etc.

The many scenes you will see at Tiny Town...

 

Pat Kelly and Bill Jennings

        Mr. Jennings passed away in 1984, at the age of 64 and Mrs. Jennings passed away in May of 2009 at the age of 88. They loved the little Tiny Town that they had built in their yard, and they also enjoyed meeting the people that loved it too. The Jennings had 8 children. Mrs. Jennings told her children to continue Tiny Town if they want to, but if you get to where you can't do it, don't feel bad if you have to close it.  Out of the 8 children, a daughter Pat Kelly and a son Bill Jennings continues the tradition that the Jennings started back in 1974. Pat tends to the house, coffee/hot chocolate, and lights with the help of a good friend, Debbie Kelly. Bill tends to the fire, when you walk onto the land you will see wood and pallets piled high to keep the fire going to keep you warm as you enjoy the sights of Tiny Town.  Pat is now at the age of 73 and Bill is 64, I asked Pat will they be someone carrying on the tradition of Tiny Town when they no longer can?  Pat said that no one wants to take on the responsibility, she said that the younger generation shows no interest in doing so.  I asked her what would they do with all the antiques that is displayed and would they tell the public before they closed Tiny Town?  She said that they would have an auction and that they would put the closing of Tiny Town in the newspapers.

Step inside and visit with Pat Kelly for some coffee and hot chocolate.

Ollie Jennings' doll collection.

Dolls and Antiques

Warm yourself by the fire.

     Tiny Town is open from Thanksgiving night through New Year's Eve from 5:30-10:00.

     They have a Donation Well set up on the land that helps pay for the up keep of Tiny Town.  Pat said that people also donate coffee, hot chocolate, and lights.  They also have had other things donated to them as well, they built a special building to display the donated items. People from all around come to visit Tiny Town, they have had visitors from Hendersonville, Asheville, Fountain Inn, Piedmont, Seneca, Pelzer, Florida, China, and Puerto Rico to name a few. The next two Saturdays, December 14th and 21st the Green Valley Band is scheduled to sing.

     Tiny Town has made memories for many at Christmas time. The ones that grew up visiting Tiny Town as a child now take their children and grandchildren to see it. I asked Pat, "How does it feel to know you and your family have created such great memories for so many people?"  Pat said it feels good to make so many people happy, so much that they enjoy coming back and bringing their children and grandchildren. It's a good feeling!"

     Tiny Town is located off of Kay Dr. onto Latham Road in Easley, you can't miss it, just look for all the lights and the people.

Thank You Perry and Ollie Jennings for creating Tiny Town, you have given us such great memories.

Perry and Ollie Jennings

      Walk through Tiny Town with Ollie Jennings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-nSeZRnz4

Keeping Our Heritage Alive

     Do you enjoy hearing your grandparents tell their life stories?  I only had a chance to meet my grandmother on my mother's side, however my dad was born in 1928, he was much older than my mother. Actually, many thought that my dad was my grandfather.  I heard so many stories from him, one in particular I want to share with you all.  My dad grew up poor, when he was a  little boy he told me that around his family's table they ate beans and cornbread (main meal in most homes during that time) every day besides Sunday when the pastor would visit their home.  It was then that they would kill a chicken and the adults was fed on the meat and my dad got to eat the chicken feet. Can you even eat those things?

     I loved hearing the stories of past days, it is sad that the older generation is leaving us.  It's important to pass these stories down to the next generation. The bible says, "One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts." -Psalm 145:4  We are to pass down our heritage to one another, the "Dacusville Heritage Association" is doing just that.

     Labor Day Weekend around Dacusville consist of steam engines, hayrides, antique tractors, cars, and farm equipment, classic cars, trucks, and jeeps, arts and crafts....beans and cornbread; no chicken feet.

   

     Tom Turner said that "Dacusville Farm Days" had been an event that has been happening in our community faithfully for 25-30 years.  It first started with the Dacusville Lion's Club, they put this event on for 7-10 years and then Mr. Robinson and his family took it over. "For many years Jim Robinson and his family had operated the Dacusville Farm Days celebration on Labor Day Weekend.  But last year Jim's oldest son Randy died after an unexpected heart attack, and Jim found that he had lost some of the joy he had experienced. "We loved the show and enjoyed the family and our friends pulling together to make something special happen.  But with Randy no longer with us, it did not seem right to continue.  We wanted to let the show die with Randy." - Ben Robinson "Annual Dacusville Farm Show Set For Labor Day Weekend",  Pickens County Courier, www.yourpickenscounty.com.

     Tom Turner said that when he received the postcard that said Dacusville Farm Days was coming to an end, it was very disappointing to him and so many from our community.  Tom and a group of others from our community came together to discuss how they could continue the show, this was how the "Dacusville Heritage Association" was birthed.  Jim Robinson gave this group his blessings, and at the first meeting there were 75 people.  They discussed ways to continue the Labor Day Weekend celebration in our community. They changed the name to "Dacusville Farm Show" and decided the new location to be on Tom Turner's property on S.C. 186 next to Nine Forks Baptist Church.

   

 

Tom Turner

        Thomas "Tom" Turner has been married to his wife Jackie    for 32 years, they have no children.  He has lived in the Dacusville  community almost all his life.  He has lived at his current residency  for 15 years.  Tom worked at Ryobi Singer plant in Pickens for  36 years, and retired from there in 2007 due to a stroke.  He has  worked with the Dacusville Fire Department for 28 years.  Tom  said that he wants to give back to the community, he said, "The  community has really been here for me, especially during the time  of my stroke." Tom is allowing the farm show to be held on his  property free of charge.  The money that will be collected will go  into an account to be used for a museum for our community to  house antiques and to showcase our farming heritage for  everyone to enjoy.

 



   
      The "Dacusville Heritage Association" is asking for
volunteers to please come out and help every

Sign designed and donated by Brian Dalton
Photo Courtesy of "Dacusville Heritage Association"

Saturday in August till the show takes place on August 31st. There is a lot that needs to be done before that day gets here.  You are invited to join us on Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 pm at the Dacusville Fire Department to discuss further information about the show. Many volunteers have already started the process, too many to count. Thank you all for what you are going to do and already have done to continue
this as a success for our community.

      The "Dacusville Heritage Association" wants to invite you to come and be apart of them.  The fee is $20 per year to become a member.  The money collected so far has went to promote the "Dacusville Farm Show", it has paid for insurance, banners, advertisements, and to build the ticket booth.  There are currently 85 members, and they are offering a "special deal" if you sign up now you pay the $20 dollars and it will cover the rest of this year, plus next year.

     Tom said, that they tried to keep as many of the great things that you are accustomed to seeing, and experiencing during the past years when it was "Dacusville Farm Days".  Nine Forks Baptist Church will continue their "Old Timey Farm Day" service with a tractor parade from their church to the "Dacusville Farm Show". You will see antiques, go on hayrides, many food vendors, crafts, a kid zone....tractors, tractors, and more tractors. There will be dealers set up selling tractor parts.  The Farm Show will offer free parking and will shuttle you from and to your car by means of an Old Fashion hayride.  Handicapped parking will be close to the ticket booth and if you are/were in the Military, you receive free admission with proper I.D.  If you are overnight camping, your camper must be self contained.

     Due to all the rain that we have received in our area, please be in prayer for good weather.
   
     If you have any questions you can contact:
     *Tim McConnell  (864) 423-3239  President of the "Dacusville Heritage Association"
     *Tom Turner (864) 380-3337
     * Brandi.landers@gmail.com

To find out more about the "Dacusville Heritage Association" click the link below:
www.facebook.com/DacusvilleHeritageAssociation
   

The 1st Annual "Dacusville Farm Show" will be held on August 31st and September 1st.  

3147 Earls Bridge Rd./ Hwy. 186 Easley, SC 29640  

The admission is $5.00, children under 12 Free. 
Gate opens at 8:00 am

No alcoholic beverages are allowed on property, no concealed weapons, and they will not be held responsible for any accidents.


"Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young; and doubly blessed  is the generation in which the young listen to the old." - Author Unknown