Leonard Simmons discusses growing up and living in Eleazer (Randolph County), N.C. and the changes he has seen to both the society and the land. Mr. Simmons originally lived in Asheboro, N.C. and remembers visiting family in Eleazer every weekend as a child. In 1966, he and his family moved to Eleazer. He recalls spending most of his free time by the Uwharrie River, which was only one mile from his house. He adds that camping and fishing were his favorite activities. His family has lived in Eleazer for over five generations. Mr. Simmons speaks in detail about True Bluegrass, a music hall he established in 1988. He describes people sitting on their front porches in the evening, playing fiddles, guitars, and other "mountain instruments." He believes people should have a place to go on the weekends to listen to bluegrass music. In addition to local artists, musicians come from all over the United States, and beyond. He tells of men from Australia and London who have visited. Mr. Simmons says that his radio program is an incentive for some of the artists. He tapes everyone who plays, and the best may have their song played on Saturday morning. He considers all the music and instruments as "mountain music" played on guitars, banjos, fiddles, and an occasional mandolin. He stresses that these skills are local to the northern North Carolina mountain area and he tries to involve youth in the music so skills will not be lost. Mr. Simmons thinks this kind of music is popular in the Randolph County area because the people have been poor for a long time and had to provide their own entertainment. Grandfathers teach their grandchildren to play the instruments. Mr. Simmons sees the skills being lost as the children grow and move away. He believes his music hall is popular with many older people because they feel safer there in large shopping malls. When asked how modern advances such as air conditioning have changed people's lives, Mr. Simmons replied that air conditioning cannot be used around instruments. It causes them to become out of tune. The interview then turns to a discuss of the land and its use. Mr. Simmons remembers a grist mill by the Uwharrie River, as well as a shingle mill, and a brickyard. He states that there is no longer that kind of activity around the river. Mr. Simmons claims a dam built on the river to provide Asheboro with city water has reduced the flow. He adds that in the past people raised corn, wheat, oats, and other grains. Mr. Simmons says he owns seven acres, which he bought from an uncle. He says that at one time a family might own 500 acres, but when the elder owners die, heirs sell it in parcels. He remembers open fields but there are now filled with pine trees because current owners do not have time to farm. Mr. Simmons discusses his favorite things about this area. Those are the peace and quietness. He hears wild animals and owls, and views deer, turkey, and otters. He claims the land users are outsiders. He thinks deer hunters cause hard feelings toward the land owners and gives an example of when he had to throw a deer hunter off his land. Land owners have become more protective. Mr. Simmons explains that the hunters obtain leases to use particular land for hunting but do not respect the boundaries. He adds that the government does not lease its land, but does allow hunting. He condemns the ATV drivers for tearing up hillsides, which leads to erosion. He often sees canoeists on the river and hopes they will not ruin the land as they camp on the riverbanks. Mr. Simmons explains that an influx of tourists will not help the local economy since there are no businesses which provide services. He believes that the established residents accept the wealthy newcomers but he fears a lose of a sense of community as people move in and neighbors do not become acquainted. When asked about wastewater being dumped into the Uwharrie River, Mr. Simmons believes that it is out of the control of local residents. Rather, he ends the interview with a brief summary of gold in the area. Mr. Simmons discusses flakes of gold in the creeks, the people who still come to pan for gold, and the mineralogical properties of gold. . He reminds the interviewer that Coggins Mill was one of the largest in the United States at one time.
