education & housing
The Fairfield Town Council decision to demolish a row of historical houses and to desecrate an old graveyard in order to build a new shopping center has caused a division of opinion amongst townspeople.
“Much as we regret the destruction of reminders of the town’s rich history, we must make way for progress. We cannot expect to attract more residents without offering the necessary amenities,” said Mayor Fred Smith.
Fairfield, a satellite town near Houston, was founded in 1852 and has a population of 12,205. Currently, only two small general stores occupy the town.
“We welcome the development. The local shopkeepers have been getting away with murder for years. It’s high time we had some competition around here,” said Cora Threep, Fairfield representative of the Housewives’ League.
Horace Crump, chairman of the council’s Planning Committee, said that the complex could not have been sited anywhere else because no other residential property owners wanted to sell. Crump added the shopping center could not have been placed further away from town due to the many elderly residents, most of whom do not drive.
“One would have thought that here in the country we would take a leading role in preserving our rich historical heritage against the ravages of progress,” said Dr. George Carnaby, Chairman of the Fairfield Historical Society.
Cultural preservation is the least of concerns for those living in the houses to be demolished.
“Where are we supposed to go? We’ve been here for years and we can’t afford anything else with all these rich people moving in and the property prices going up,” said Cyril Bentley, one of the 27 elderly pensioners who still occupy the houses.
As to the graveyard, it consists of 212 graves – mostly soldiers and relatives of Confederate troops who served in the area.
“I had planned to be buried there with my dearly loved wife,” said Geoffrey Peace, 94.
“To disturb the blessed remains of our forefathers and founders would be an insult to their memory,” said Rev. Joseph Giles.
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