As I travel around the country, people are always asking about my hometown of PROSPERITY. Whether I'm in Maine, Texas, Florida or any other state they always ask about our little town. After hearing about our town in my concerts, some have even said that they were traveling through our state and stopped by to visit downtown. We would love to have you come in and take a look around if you're ever in the area. Just park your car and take a stroll down Main Street. While you're visiting the stores, be sure to let the folks know where you're from. And also be sure to save your appetite and have some good country cooking while you're here. Some of the best barbecue you will ever put in your mouth is at the Hawg Heaven buffet. You'll leave there all pigged out! The food is just fantastic. And be sure to go by the ole fashion soda fountain in the Prosperity Drugstore and get a scoop of some hand dipped ice cream or a "real" shake.
But for those that won't be able to make it here, we took your advice and put a page so that you can get a little taste of the place that I'm proud to call my hometown.....PROSPERITY. (And yes, we do have a stop light)
Prosperity's History
(Formerly known as "Frog Level")
One hundred years of official tradition is a proud heritage. It is an even prouder heritage when one considers the solid foundation upon which this tradition rests -- forty-six years of official community life before the charter of Prosperity and gravestones that attest to settlement by some of the earliest colonists. Captain Matthew Hall was the first settler in the area in 1827. By 1830 he had erected a small dwelling, a little log store, twelve by sixteen feet. This was used as the post office for Frog Level from 1832, when Hall was appointed postmaster, to 1848 when it was moved to Stoney Battery.
The next merchant in town was David Kibler, who was also the first mayor. He erected a home and place of business nearby. The town area these men and others settled was already known as Frog Level locally.
Long before settlement, the area was known as Frog Level. There are several legends as to how the name originated. The most popular version of the legend claims that there was a pond of water where the Ira Cousins Gin now stands. This pond was infested with innumerable frogs. The legend goes on to tell that an old man became intoxicated and lay down at the edge of the pond and fell asleep.
When he awoke the frogs were croaking and he, being stupefied, imagined that they were crying "frog level" and he repeated it. The pond or place was called "Frog Level" from this incident until 1873. The town was actually chartered by this name in 1851 with the advent of the Southern Railroad. In 1873, at the insistence of a majority of its three hundred citizens, the Legislature changed the name to Prosperity.
The name of Prosperity is presumed to be borrowed from the name of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian meeting place, which appeared on an 1825 Mills' Atlas map and was designated as Prosperity Meeting House.
Today the Town of Prosperity combines old fashioned charm with all the necessary conveniences. The Town Square with its antique clock and gazebo faces down town. There is a craft & gift shop as well gas station, hardware store, florist, dry cleaners, laundromat, drugstore, beauty shop, a few restaurants and a Piggly Wiggly grocery. But most of all, Prosperity has some very friendly folks. Ya'll come......
A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!!!!