Rascoe's Store

(click on photograph for larger image)

The following is from The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 445 (Article #583, "Rascoe's Store" by C. Gilmer Rascoe):

The picture above shows the second location of Rascoe's Store around 1917. The first, and original, was located about one-quarter of a mile north of the new store on the Rascoe-Dameron Road, about ten miles south of Yanceyville, in Anderson Township.

It was opened in the late nineteenth century by James Sanders Rascoe. After the turn of the century, the store was relocated to this new building. The store then became a partnership with Mr. Rascoe's son Benjamin, and was known as the J. S. & B. F. Rascoe Store.

In this store one could find all standard lines of groceries, clothing, piece goods, hardware, as well as a line of caskets. Gasoline, oil and kerosene was also available. It is interesting to note that the oversize kerosene lantern mounted on a post beside Mr. Rascoe, was the forerunner of outdoor lighting in the community.

The building in the background was an automotive garage to service the cars in the area. it was owned by the Rascoe's and operated by J. F. "Jimmy" Rice as mechanic. This community general service center was closed at the death of the founder, in 1926.

James Saunders Rascoe was born in Caswell County, North Carolina 18 August 1859. He was the son of Henry T. Rascoe and Elizabeth A. Loyd Rascoe. He married 18 December 1879 his first cousin Mary Elizabeth Rascoe, also of Caswell County. She was born 28 August 1860, the daughter of John W. Rascoe and Sarah Elizabeth Coleman Rascoe.

James Saunders Rascoe died 21 March 1925. His obituary provided:

James S. Rascoe, Former Caswell Official, Is Dead

James S. Rascoe, age 65, former treasurer of Caswell, and one of the most widely known citizens of his county, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock in the church cemtery at Bethel in the Anderson section of South Caswell. Mr. Rascoe passed away at his home Saturday afternoon, following an illness of two weeks. The funeral services were attended by more than fifteen hundred of his friends from many sections of his native county, and from James S. Rascoe, age 65, former treasurer of Caswell, and one of the most widely known citizens of his county, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock in the church cemetery at Bethel in the Anderson section of South Caswell. Mr. RascoeAlamance, Guilford and Danville.

Source: The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 446 (Article #585, "James Saunders Rascoe" by E. Christine B. Massey).

For more on the Rascoe family visit the Caswell County Family Tree.

Permalink