Weaver Family Reunions at Clairmont Springs

 July 4, 1920

William Dawson Haynes' 90th Birthday Party

The dance pavilion can be seen in the  background.

Dear Family Trails readers,
  Let's continue down our trail to Clairmont Springs, Alabama.
The Weaver family gathered at Clairmont Springs for more than 70 years. In those decades, many aspects changed, such as the dress, but the love of family remained strong. As you can see in these 2 pictures taken 66 years apart, the call for family to be together was answered by many.
In the picture above, my great-great grandfather, William Dawson Haynes, celebrated his 90th birthday with at least 65 members of his family. (There are a few family members who are in both of these group  pictures.)
I have mentioned W. D. Haynes before in a past Family Trails post and wrote that we would explore more about him in a future  post…but this is still not the one to do that! There is so much to write about W. D. and his family that we need to wait. This month's posts are all about Clairmont and our family's ties to this old resort.

July 4, 1986
Picture taken in front of Tee's cottage


The pictures below are just a tiny window into the "4th of July" celebrations. We did not carry cameras with us every minute the way we do now, but these pictures conjure up the memories of those special times.

The drive from Talladega included passing the waterwheel house and ..

stopping to walk to the Waldo covered bridge.

Cousins visit on the back porch of Tee's cottage while the delicious food buffet is arranged.

In the back yard, the home-made ice cream machines are cranked by willing workers. 

Finally, time to eat! This must be dessert time because Tee is sitting down! She never sat down to eat until she knew everyone was seated with their plates. 

Smiling faces after such a feast! 

Time for the traditional family group picture!

Visiting on the front porch...

More visiting on the front porch.

Cousins pose while on a walk past the old hotel. 

The swimming pool in 1986. The old dressing rooms can be seen in the background. 

The train passing by the hotel and the pool. 

Tee's cottage

I hope that "visiting" Clairmont has been a pleasant one for each of you.

 Maybe you have a special place in your heart for an old vacation spot…a place that you could get away from the routine of daily life, the noises and the heat of the city… a place that brought you together with family, where you could put your feet up, relax, and listen to stories told by the elderly family members. 

And what about this city heat! Maybe it is time to get away…………..

Love,

Mariellan