Image
Description
The newspaper archives identified the photograph
as the Masonic Picnic; however, local historians agree that the
picture does not portray the Masonic Picnic arbor. After eliminating
Center Arbor as a possibility, the possibility exists that the
picture may have been taken at the old Baptist Arbor which stood off
of North Main Street near the end of town and had the capacity to
seat 2,000 people. The Baptist Arbor hosted the annual Sunday School
and Orphanage Picnic to benefit the Thomasville Orphanage from 1891
to 1905. In 1906, the arbor was dismantled and moved to Thomasville
to be rebuilt on the grounds of the Mills Home. A letter from Mrs.
E. Frost written in 1892 talks about the two picnics held in
Mocksville, stating "the Masonic Picnic was much larger in number
and wickedness. No drinking at the Orphanage (picnic), but at the
Masonic they were fighting before twelve." Sunnyside Academy also
held commencement ceremonies at the Baptist Arbor. (Courtesy of the
Salisbury Post.)