Above: This old school is located in Alleghany County, North Carolina. It is known as the Old Stratford Academy and as the Second Elk Creek Academy (the first one was destroyed by fire). It was built around 1900 by Monroe Estep, a local carpenter. Far left: This old home and business belonged to Howard and Annie Blackburn of West Jefferson, North Carolina. The Blackburn's Store sold feed, farm supplies and gas. There was also an auto shop next to the store that worked on automobiles as well as farm equipment. They both passed away in the early 2000s. Left center: Captain Joseph and Nancy McMilliam Phipps built this home in the early 1800s as two log buildings. The massive walnut tree planted in 1850 is still standing alongside this homesite. It is located in Grayson County, Virginia. Immediate left: The back portion of this home was built sometime around the Civil War and the front portion was built in 1889. It was built for Jones and Ida Waddell. It is located in Alleghany County, North Carolina. January/February 2017 57