Oak Hill

Title: Keeping the Story Alive
Author: Nancy Davis
Publisher: The Observer
Date: 4/14/09

"As I sat looking through my grandmothers old photos, I thought that others may have similar 'treasures' tucked away in boxes or drawers, and how sad not to share them," said Dana Thompson. On April 4, the Oak Hill City Hall opened its doors to more than one hundred friends, family, and history buffs to see "Images of America: Oak Hill" by Dana Thompson.

Thompson had often thought of compiling a picture book for her beloved city, but a meeting with Jo Anne Sikes fueled her fire. "When she showed me her Arcadia book of Edgewater, I realized that I could do that for the community of Oak Hill."

She began to share her dream with locals and the photo collection began slowly coming in. In one year, she applied to Arcadia publishing and was given the go ahead with the deadline quickly approaching. Specifically, she had two months and knew that she would need to get busy.

"I could not have met that deadline without the help of Ida Goodrich, Betty Bellamy, Marie Goodrich, and Jan Spurgeon," said Thompson. "Each played a vital role in helping me put it all together."

Drawing inspiration from her grandmother, Mary Mosby Baldwin, Thompson looked to her photos and multiple scrapbooks. "My family loved this community and invested a great deal of themselves in it, leaving it a better place because they were here. That is worth documenting. Many other families, like my own, are worthy of being recognized and remembered."

Mary Mosby Baldwin settled in the community at the turn of the 20th century. She is pictured in the first page of the book. "This is one of my favorite pictures," said Thompson referring to the black and white photograph of her grandmother standing in a white dress and holding a diploma on graduation day.

"I also like the picture of my dad, V.B. "Boo" Baldwin Jr., when he shot the bear." said Thompson. The photograph is included on page 94 of the 127 page book.

The page-turner preserves the rich history of Oak Hill. Readers can learn about the "Earliest Inhabitants" of 2000 B.C. Page 91 explains the use of gill nets in commercial fishing.

"Oak Hill has always been proud of its library started by Mary Baldwin in the late 1940s. Euda Mary Alderman volunteered in the Summer Reading Programs by reading favorite stories to local children," wrote Thompson of the picture on page 120.

It is clear that Dana Thompson loves her community. She explained what, in her opinion, makes Oak Hill unique. "The great location, the most diverse estuary in North America, the pristine environment, and wonderful caring community spirit. We also have the preserved Indian Mounds (location of the National Seashore Headquarters); a wonderfully quaint place to call home."

The people who came out to have their books signed made their feelings about the well-known author clear. "I am very proud of Dana," said Sandy Meares. "She has been working on this for a long time and did a wonderful job."
"I am very excited to see the responses of people to the book," Thompson shared. "They seem to really like it, and that pleases me because I believe it is so important to preserve our heritage, and celebrate the past sacrifices of those who have gone before us and made our lives easier. I celebrate those valuable lives and their contributions."

The book will be available for purchase at Oak Hill City Hall, www.arcadiapublishing.com, and several Oak Hill businesses.

Title: Oak Hill Saluted With Book
Author: Staff Writer
Publisher: NSB Observer
Date: 4/2/09

Photographs and memories will be the twin topics Saturday, Apr. 4, in Oak Hill.

New Smyrna Beach Middle School media center Director and life-long Oak Hill resident, Dana Thompson will be at Oak Hill City Hall signing copies of her first book "Oak Hill." The photo book from Arcadia Publishing, takes a look back the famous and infamous southeast Volusians through the years. Each sepia tone snapshot tells another little story.

"That was the real pleasure and honor for me," said Mrs. Thompson, "to be able to sit down with many of the people in these pictures or their children, means so much."
Mrs. Thompson will be signing copies of "Oak Hill" from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday afternoon.

Title: Thompson: Book Chronicles Oak Hill Life
Author: Dana Thompson
Publisher: The Observer
Date: 4/1/09

The Arcadia Publishing Company released the newest edition of Images in America this week, and it is the history of Oak Hill in photos. Pictured on the cover is a successful day of fishing along the Indian River in 1909. Mrs. Hazel Wilkinson supplied this photo of her relatives: Josephine Haughton, Louisa Haughton, Kenneth Haughton, C. Williams, Charles and Eliza Ebenbeck. Her nephew, David Brown, continues the family tradition as a successful fishing guide in the same waters his ancestors enjoyed so much.

On Saturday, April 4, an open house publication celebration will take place at Oak Hill City Hall, and you will be able to purchase the book (on that day only) for $20. All area residents are invited to stop by any time between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to meet many of those who contributed to this collection of historical photos that tell Oak Hill's story from the 1880s until the 1970s. There will be some stories to go along with the photos that are not written in the book, so plan to stop by and enjoy this walk back in time. Refreshments will be served by The Community Trust, and all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to this organization.