The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 4

BYRD COMMUNITY WAS NAMED AFTER MAN WHO DONATED LANDS FOR FIRST SCHOOL

BYRD Community was named after Mr. W. A. BYRD who gave the land for the
first BYRD School grounds.

Early settlers in the community were the CANTRELLS, REALS, RIGGSES,
WATSONS, NORTHINGTONS, RUDICELLS, WHITEHEADS and SCOGGINS. Some of these
early settlers came from Georgia and South Carolina. Many descendants of
these early settlers live in the present-day BYRD Community.

The roads throughout the Community have been grealty(sic) improved in the
last few years. Highway 17, a modern paved road, runs through the center of
the community. Other farm to market roads are also paved. Transportation is
by privately owned cars and trucks.

An early wool carding factory, operated by water power, was in operation
for ten or fifteen years. Two hands handled the factory work. For the
carding, the operators received wool or money toll. The wool was put in
bales and later sold.

Today as formerly, agriculture is the principal occupation of the citizens
of BYRD Community. Cotton and corn are the two main crops. Many farmers are
supplementing their farm incomes by raising beef cattle and hogs. Some are
engaged in dairying.

Two mil routes run through the Community each day picking up the milk and
carrying it to market. Some farmers are raising broilers for the market.
Some men and many women are employed in the garment factories located in
Detroit and Hamilton.

There are four Churches in the Community, Rudicell, Ballard, Cooper, and
Mount Joy. Other churches are located just outside of the community
boundary lines. All of these serve to meet the religious needs of the
people.

The BYRD Community today is one of the most progresssive(sic) rural
Communities in the state. In 1948, a Community Improvement Club was
organized, and it has done much to improve living conditions and
appearanc.e(sic) The club sponsored such projects as:
1. Keeping Cemeteries Clean
2. Painting Church houses and putting out shrubbery
3. Erecting signs for churches and boundary lines
4. Improving and lettering mailboxes
5. Build a Club House
6. Established roadside parks and picnic areas.
7. Contributed to the Red Cross.
8. Distributed baskets to underprivileged children.