THE OLD BRINK PLACE

The property where we live, used to be known as "The Old Brink Place". It seems the Brinks were a large family with about 15 children and lived here back in the 1930's and 40's. This area did not get electricity until 1947. There is still an old pump down in the bottom of the hollow behind our house.
There is a foundation where their house had been, as well as the foundation to the outhouse. Flowers such as Peonies, Daffodils and Irises still come up in the spring around the old setting. Mrs. Brink lived in the house. In front of the house was a small, 2-story log cabin that still stands on the property. Long time area residents told us that Mr. Brink lived in the top of the cabin and used the bottom as a workshop. (I guess separate houses could be considered one form of birth control after 15 children)

Mr. Brink built the pews and the pulpit for a new church that had started up nearby. They continued to be in use until about 10 years ago when the church renovated.

One of the older attorneys in our small town is also known as a local historian. He does a lot of Real Estate title work and while talking to him one day, the conversation turned to the property we had purchased and were living on.

He grew up in a nearby community that had an old country general store where not only were you able to buy the things you needed but also you were able to catch up on the latest community news. Getting to the store was an adventure in itself in those days. Access was only attained by traveling on one of the unpaved, dusty, rocky roads.

One hot summer day, he was drinking a soft drink, while his father was visiting at the store, he noticed a horse and wagon pulling up. The wagon was full of children of all ages and gender. The driver of the wagon was their father, Mr. Brink. Mr. Brink was having the clerk fill his order when another gentleman came up in a vehicle. He had a small child with him who was crying loudly. He brought the child into the store and presented him to Mr. Brink. "I think one of your children fell out of your wagon".

Apparently, there were so many in the wagon and they were so excited about getting to go to the store, no one noticed when one of the smaller ones had fallen off.

I loved learning this little bit of history about our home. We've lived here over 30 years now. I wonder if it will be called the "old *** place" if we move away. We moved here from a very large city back East and enjoy living in a small community with lots of not so long ago history still remembered.