
Exciting developments are on the horizon for the East Depot/Mill Street Community in Mocksville, promising a safe haven for local students waiting for the school bus and a welcoming spot for neighborhood gatherings. The Heritage Alliance Project (HAP) and the Town of Mocksville recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new community pavilion at the corner of East Depot and Pine Streets.
In her address to the attendees, HAP President Tamela Tatum shared the significance of this moment, acknowledging the hurdles that had to be overcome. “This special day has been a long time coming for all of us. We had a lot of roadblocks along the way, and without the members of the community and representatives from the town, we would not be here.”


“One of my favorite scriptures, Zechariah 4:10, says to despise not the day of small beginnings. What you all have done as the town and the community may seem very small, but I believe your impact will be very big and resonate throughout the community.” She articulated HAP’s aspiration to set an example for other organizations, urging them to engage in dialogue and cooperation to foster community beautification and safety instead of adversarial relationships with neighbors.
Mocksville Mayor Will Marklin expressed his gratitude for HAP’s diligent efforts and applauded the cooperative spirit between the town and its residents. He eagerly anticipated the positive changes that would unfold in East Depot. Mocksville Commissioner Jenny Stevens and Davie County Manager Brian Barnett also came to show their support for the project.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt prayer and dedication of the property by Pastor Fred Terry of Second Presbyterian Church.


A Collaborative Community Endeavor
HAP, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has a mission to collaborate with other entities to enhance the beauty and safety of the East Depot/Mill Street community while preserving its rich history. Supported by local businesses, churches, and residents, HAP acquired and donated the land to the Town of Mocksville. The town will fund the construction of the pavilion and maintain the property. Tatum emphasized HAP’s commitment to investing in the community, advocating for its beautification, and preserving its history. “We wanted to show that we were willing to put our money where our mouth is by investing in preserving the history of this community and advocating for its beautification and safety.”
This pavilion project extends the beautification initiatives started by retired Mocksville Community Development Coordinator Tami Langdon. Under her guidance, a bench, a permanent trashcan, and a picnic table were added to the pavilion site, but the town wanted to do more. Langdon approached HAP for input.

Tatum explained that the community played a vital role in shaping the pavilion project. HAP sought input from residents through surveys to ensure that their needs and preferences were considered.
“Together, we decided to focus on the safety piece of our mission. Every day, I come out of my salon (Hair Solutions) and see young people standing near the road waiting for the bus and in all kinds of weather. A shelter will provide protection for these young people as well as people walking in the area.”
She shared that the pavilion has been a true collaboration. In addition to the Town of Mocksville, she thanked Fuller Architecture (John Fuller) for donating the design plans and W.C. Construction Company (William Cockerham) for donating part of the labor.

A Glimpse into the Future
Jennifer Evens, Mocksville’s marketing and communications coordinator, expressed the town’s enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Watching it grow has been an awesome experience. This won’t be our last project for East Depot!”
Tatum shared this sentiment, outlining the organization’s current and future projects. These initiatives include:
- Gathering memories of Davie County’s historic black communities, initially focusing on the people and homes of the East Depot Street and Mill Street areas and former businesses on The Corner.
- Completing the paperwork necessary to get the community recognized as a historic district.
- Designing a mural that captures businesses that have been part of the East Depot community, such as Bill’s Cab Stand, Lene’s Beauty Shop, Dulin Barber Shop, SW Brown Wholesale, Alice Briton’s Southern Kitchen, Martin Bros, Gaither Meat Market, JP Green Mill Co, Park’s Installation, just to name a few. Upon approval, the mural will be painted on the side of Corinthian Lodge #17.
Sharon Anderson serves as the executive director of HAP, and the organization’s board of directors includes Tamela Tatum, president; Joseph Johnson, vice-president; Edward Johnson, treasurer; Priscilla Williams, recording secretary; and Alice Brown, corresponding secretary.
Stay Connected with the Heritage Alliance Project
For more information about HAP, you can reach out via email at heritageAPDC@gmail.com.