Mondee Tilley | The News

The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Christmas ornaments that feature the Granite Corner Stone of the Mount Airy Post Office are now on sale at the visitors center.

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While Christmas is still nearly three months away, the annual Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Christmas ornaments already are selling like hotcakes.

This year, the ornaments feature the Granite Corner Stone of the Mount Airy Post Office.

According to Betty Ann Collins, the president and CEO of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, the Post Office building was recorded as “one of the most elaborate and handsome government buildings in the south.” The inscription on the granite corner stone on the building can still be read today. It was laid 80 years ago on Oct. 3, 1932.

In preparation for laying the corner stone of the Post Office building program, Postmaster J.B. Sparger filled a copper box with prized documents and records that included a complete list of all students, teachers and officials of Mount Airy schools; all churches, their pastors and official members; the names, ages and address of all the members of the Surry County Camp of Confederate Veterans, all the secret orders, their supreme officers and official members; hospitals, physicians and attendants; the Women’s Club and its members; the Kiwanis Club and its members and past presidents; the Lions Club, its officials and past presidents; all wholesale companies; Mount Airy town official members including the mayor, alderman, police and all members of the mayor’s staff; along with a list of postmasters serving in the Mount Airy office dating back to 1865.

The corner stone is located at the northwest corner of the building. It contains the copper box. It was sealed with mortar by J.D. Sargent, president of the N.C. Granite Corporation.

The ornaments are $16 each. The brass stands are on sale for $4 each at the Mount Airy Visitors Center on the corner of Main Street and Moore Avenue.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1930.