Old Rock Springs
By: Alice Coats
Source: Bloomburg USA

This was a farming community just about two or three miles north of Bloomburg.

One of the first settlers was J. M. Short, who owned several hundred acres of land. It was on his farm that a postoffice was established in the year of 1894, which was named Sheffield. Mr. Short was the postmaster, assisted by his daughter, Etta Short. The postoffice was discontinued when one was established in Cass.

There was only one store, which was operated by J. M. Clements.

The community was named for the big, natural springs between two hills, which was surrounded by natural rocks. It supplied water for the first settlers, the church, and baptizing pool.

Even today it is a beautiful drive out through this area.

Mr. Short donated the land for the school and church. There was one building, which was used for both.

Some of the early teachers were: Jim Arnold, Will Hornsey, and Rufus Hill. Later teachers were: Viola Griffin, Carrie Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. Alvis Penny, Mr/ and Mrs. C. C. Ramey, Roy Glass, Christine Patterson, Dave Wommack, Pauline and Joe Beneley. There may be others we do not recall.

The first school building was a wooden structure, which burned, and a new two story brick was constructed.

Rock Springs consolidated with Cass in the thirties and the school was named Cass Springs. S. D. Nichols
Was the superintendent at this time. A new building was constructed and school was taught there. Later, Cass Springs consolidated with the Bloomburg School district.

The children of both former districts are now bused into Bloomburg. The school building at Cass is now a private home owned by Mr. Carl Spivey.

According to the minutes of Rock Springs Church, it was organized June 6, 1885. The first pastor was J. A. Jackson. He chose his text from Mathew 16:18 "Upon this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The title of his sermon was "The Durability of Christ".

Mr. J. M. Fletcher was the church clerk.

The Presbytery consisted of the following: Rev. J. A. Jackson, W. B. Simons, who was minister and served the church at different times. He was pastor when Mrs. Mildred Cash's mother joined the church. She later moved her letter to become a charter member of First Baptist Church Bloomburg. The other organizers were: J. F. Bentley, Rev. Nelson Porterfield, who pastored many early day churches, and J. M. Fletcher, who made up their first committee.

The third Saturday and Sunday was the meeting dates for church.

The only recorded salary for the pastors who served at this time were Seventy-five dollars a month. It was not always paid in cash. Many times they were paid some cash, but mostly in farm products.

Mr. John E. Spiva was a long time settler of Rock Springs. He was married to May Hearne. They reared their family there and were faithful workers of the community. Mr. Spiva served as church clerk and trustees of the school until it was consolidated with Cass.

Rev. W. B. Simmons was the pastor of Rock Springs church for many years. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Myrtle Simmons Porterfield and father of H. A. Simmons, who was a long time druggist at Bloomburg.

Rock Springs church was pastored later by local pastors of Bloomburg, Atlanta, and Queen City on Sunday afternoon.

All that remains of Rock Springs now is the hayfield and grazing cattle, along with pulp wood and the logging industry for the paper mill.

The old school building was torn down several years ago. Rock Springs is no more. Just the land site of beautiful country and happy memories.