| The Town of Fries (pronounced "freeze") is located in Grayson County on the north banks of the New River. It is fifteen miles northeast of the county seat of Independence on Route 94. The town was named for Colonel Francis Fries of Salem, North Carolina. He realized that even though the place was in a remote area, it had great possibilities because of the New River. After purchasing the land, a special Act of Congress gave permission for a dam to be built at Bartlett Falls on the New River. In April of 1901, a deep cut was made in the mountain ridge. Timber was carted over trails by mule and oxen teams; bricks were made from nearby clay deposits and boulders were quarried from the mountain side. Construction was underway and in a matter of months a great dam, 39 feet high spanned the river and changed the face of the surrounding countryside. A new town mushroomed. It was named for Colonel Fries and backed by Washington Mills Company. Approximately three hundred houses, a company commissary, post office, and other necessary business structures were built for the new population. In February 1903, the mill was sufficiently built and equipped to start operation. The swiftly moving water turned the big wheel supplying electricity. A new town was born in Southwest Virginia. Fries became known as a place of steady employment, an accredited school system, and an outstanding recreation center. In 1910 an increasing need was seen for a community center for the employees of the mill. A site was selected that would be central for the townspeople and construction was begun for the Fries Lyceum. The building provided reading rooms, and a skating rink became the gathering place for the young people of the town. In 1923, the Lyceum was renovated and reorganized as a Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The building now contained the only gymnasium in the Carroll-Grayson area, along with a movie theatre. The need to expand was seen again in the late 1940's, and in 1948, a new lobby, bowling alley, kitchen and dining area, library, and additional game rooms were added. The swimming pool built in the front, facing new River, was the most popular addition. Through the years semi-professional baseball has been sponsored by the "Y". It has housed meetings for the Fries Garden Club, organized in 1932, Fries Lions Club organized in 1938, and the Fries Women's Club organized in 1953. The Fries Recreation center now hosts The Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Red Cross Training Courses, Hunter Safety Courses, Visiting community minded college students, and many more groups and activities. The Fries Recreation Center also houses the Fries Town Hall and the Fries Police Department Excerpts from Fries & Fries Recreation Center History were written by Martha Nichols and Avery Bond Photos courtesy of Fries High School Website http://www.frieshighschool.com/ |
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History of The Fries Recreation Center |