Eighty-five years ago, the Mathews County Board of Supervisors, in a burst of farsightedness, did the following piece of business at a meeting held on May 20, 1927 in the courthouse:

"Present, T. C. Edwards, chairman; H. L. White and L. W. Hudgins, members.

"The Board of Supervisors of Mathews County, being of the opinion that the County of Mathews would be materially benefited by the deepening and widening of the channel of the creek from East River to Mathews Court House,

"Therefore, be it Resolved by the Board of Supervisors that the United States Government be requested to appropriate sufficient funds … to provide a suitable steamboat channel from the East River to Mathews Court House."

Steamboats at the Court House! What a vision! It was a true dream of the Roaring Twenties, when cash was flowing and possibilities seemed endless.

Today, the sewage treatment plant is coming down, a beautiful sight for those who would like to make the most of t...