Americans are known for tearing down their historical buildings and “improving” the look of things by erecting something modern instead of simply remodeling and reusing as they do in many other countries. But in Pleasant View, when they built the new fire department in 2015, the new living quarters were designed to look like the old Woodson Hardware store, as the Woodson family provided the land where the station is located.
Woodson Family History in Pleasant View
The Woodson family has a long history in the county. In 1907, Peter Woodson was one of the first settlers in the area. His son, P.H. Woodson was very prominent in the development and governance of Cheatham County as it grew. The family still has a farm just outside the city of Pleasant View that they have owned and run for six generations.
According to the history of Cheatham County, P.H. Woodson was one of the first county magistrates and a charter member of Sycamore Lodge No. 255. of the Free and Accepted Masons. There is still a Masonic Lodge in Mount Pleasant, however it is now the Edward T. Workman Lodge #610. Masons are a fraternal order with a history going back to 13th century Europe.
“In March 1874, this lodge was moved to Pleasant View. The present principal officers are W. T. Bracy, W.M; W. H. Walker, S. W.; J. B. Woodruff, J. W.: P. H. Woodson, Treas. and A. G. Felts, Sec. It has a membership of 36, among whom “peace and harmony” prevail.”
Short Woodson Hardware Store History
Woodson’s Hardware store was located in a two-story white clap-board building with arched windows on the second floor that looked like eyes watching over the city. The front porch was ripe for old gentlemen whittling and sharing tall tales about what was happening and had happened in the town. It was where you went to get gas for your car, and other things besides building materials.
Although the building is now gone, there are those who remember the store from their youth, going in to buy their first pack of cigarettes for forty cents, athe area was once ripe with tobacco growers and processing plants.
Over the years the building has housed many other ventures, including the Odd Fellows Lodge and a live theater. The Odd Fellows have a long history, although not as long as the Masons, with the first lodge being organized in the United States in 1806. Membership quickly became very popular and over time lodges were established all over the country. According to the Odd Fellows history, by 1896 it was the largest fraternal organization in the country. The organization still exists, but numbers have decreased, as with all civic and fraternal organizations in the 21st century.
Fire Department Shares Its History with Kids
Perhaps because their building has a past, Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department #1 (PVVFD) has a strong sense of its own history that they like to share, especially with school children. They love to tell students about the beginnings of the department, and how it has changed since being formed in 1970. Kids get to see some of the older engines and photos of what things were like in the early days of the department.
Chief P. J. Duncan has seen the PVVFD grow and change over the years, as he began serving the department when he was 18 years old.
“Today, we are proud to serve [the community] with eight stations, and approximately 50 volunteers…Our fire district comprises around 280 square miles with a population of over 31,000.”
