By BUZZ KING, guest columnist
From the time the first automobiles rolled down the hills of Brown County, and the word spread of the scenic splendor of our home, we have had traffic, and at times, lots of traffic.
Until the 1960s, weekend traffic was only during seven months of good weather.
The corner of 135 at 46 had a four-way stop sign. State Road 46 ran through town on Main Street, and South Van Buren and 135 ran down North Van Buren and turned on East Main Street.
October created a problem, so either the county sheriff or state police would man the four-way stop, and later, the stoplight, from around noon ‘til at least 3 on Saturdays and Sundays. The tourist folk paid no mind to the police, and whistles could be heard a block away!
Later on, in the mid-1950s, a stoplight — just one — was installed at the intersection, and still later on, there were two. In those days, the stoplights turned to flasher at 10 p.m.
The town, at that time, had many places to eat and 12 or 15 gift shops.
Then, the average tourist came to Brown County to get away and look. October traffic would be backed up for two miles in each direction. Folk who had never been here before would ask, “What’s wrong up there? Was there a bad accident?” A two-hour wait was not uncommon.
Gas prices were high in town (18 or 19 cents), and out of town as low as 15 cents. During a gas war, I remember paying 12 cents for a gallon.
The speed limit on all roads to Nashville was 65 mph.
There was parking on both sides of the street each direction. One could walk to town faster than one could drive, and that would have been an option, except there was no shoulder to park on. In addition, most flatlanders were not used to hills or curves.
And there was only one set of public restrooms for many thousands of people. The courthouse restrooms were left open long hours and weekends.
The main focus was the Nashville House and old country store. Candy, apple butter, fried biscuits and country atmosphere flowed like water!
‘Til next time. — Buzz
“Buzz” King is a nearly lifelong resident of Brown County and past president of the Nashville Town Council. His father, Fred King, was the unofficial county historian.
