Laurel Hill residents ask county to preserve artifacts and fix eroded ball field

Bill Hawkins, a Laurel Hill resident, told the Scotland County Board of Commissioners on March 10 that volunteers have salvaged artifacts from the former Laurel Hill school and asked the county for direction on displaying and preserving those items.

Hawkins said he and other alumni volunteers have collected items including two original graded‑school stones from the entryway, sections of the school gym floor, bricks from the building and other memorabilia that were salvaged when the school was demolished. He asked the board to direct county staff about whether the items can be mounted or displayed on county property, and to authorize a small, targeted dig if staff can locate the time capsule he believes was buried on the former school grounds.

Hawkins described four specific requests: (1) create a small memorial incorporating the original entryway stones and some original bricks; (2) attempt a limited search and, if found, recovery of a time capsule; (3) retrieve and display a saved section of the gym floor; and (4) repair erosion and safety issues at the adjacent ball field. He said the work volunteers propose would not require county funds beyond minimal construction for a display and that volunteers and alumni are prepared to do much of the work.

Asked how to proceed, commissioners directed Hawkins to coordinate with Lawrence in the Parks and Recreation department and asked staff to collect the materials he brought. County staff said Miss Tyson would scan and distribute the documents and drawings Hawkins provided so the board and staff could review them.

Hawkins noted a potential partner: he said representatives of the Philadelphia Phillies had signaled willingness to help with a memorial for Willie “Puddinhead” Jones, a local player mentioned in his remarks.

The board did not take formal action but instructed Hawkins to work with Parks and Recreation and have staff circulate the supporting materials for later follow up.