There is no question that in the local history of coal mining, the town of Mather plays a major role. We have covered some of Mather's history before and plan to return to cover more. Today, however, we did a quick stop to check out another Mather landmark, the Liar's Den. The Liar's Den is a circular gazebo-type structure that has sat in the center of Mather since 1919 (according to the steps). For as long as I can remember, folks gathered there to hang out.
I suppose that the name Liar's Den came from the fact that it was the perfect spot to hear a tale or two. I can only imagine 94 years worth of stories the little concrete and wooden structure has been the stage for! Since today was the first time in my life I've actually stepped foot on the Liars Den, I would be ...well...lying if I told you I knew a lot about it.
We're leaving this one up to you! Share any stories or memories you have of the liar's den ( and any real history,too!) As always, let us know if you have any old photos of the Liars Den, we'd love to post em up!
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| Sent in by Soupy. |
Found this above shot on the WWW
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| And here it is today after the rebuild in all it's sterile glory. |
SPENT A BIG PART OF MY LIFE THERE!!! MANY BEERS AND MANY J'S WENT DOWN THERE!!!MATHER USED TO BE A GREAT PLACE. ALOT OF PUNKS HANG OUT THERE NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE BY WHEN I USED TO POST UP THERE!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Mather during the 60's. The Liar's Den was a big part of my life (and I am not lying). At 7am, the high school kids would go to the Liar's Den to wait on the bus, that took them to Jefferson. At 9am, the old timers would come down to sit and talk. At 3pm, the high school kids would return from school and hang out. At dark, post high school kids would come down until the wee hours of the morning. The next day the same routine would happen.
ReplyDeleteThe big thing there was playing cards on the steps. "Bid Wisk" was the main game. We actually got into playing checkers and then chess on the steps of the Liar's Den.
In the 60's in had wooden 4x4 poles holding up the roof. Then around 1980, some kids started to twist it and it came down. My Dad actually organized and rebuilt it the the way it stands now. A bunch of old senior coal miners. I have a picture from the paper that shows them building it.
I lived in Mather 1957-1960. Never stood in the "Liar's Den" (wasn't allowed). I am now 70 and still have many wonderful memories of living there. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteIn the video about the liars den, across from the company store is that tan building, the first part of it was ( not sure what it started out as) but sometime in the late 50's my Aunt and Uncle Mary and Ray Dunham bought it and it was a small store where you could buy household staples like bread and mily, it also had a lunch counter where you could get some good burgers, hot dogs, fries and orangeade and cherryade, and a lage part of the store was penny candy. In the same building next to that was the original movie theater, have no idea what year it closed down, I was bornin 1961 and moved to ohio in 1965 and I never remember it being opened, and next to that was the post office
ReplyDeleteThe Liar's Den was originally used as a Bandstand. They had live music / musicians on the weekend and people would dance on the square behind it. There is at least one woman living in Mather who remembers the music and the dances. I lived in Mather starting in 1960, and only remember it as a place for people to congregate. I stood on the steps once in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI have a nice picture of the Liars Den in the winter if you would like to post it. It doesn't look like the one you posted at all-- That's sad. My entire family is from Mather and that general area but I haven't been back there in a while. Back in the 50's I'd watch the miners come up from the mines and many would gather at the Liars Den. I wasn't allowed in it. My Grandmother told me it was for the men in Mather and ladies don't go over there. I would watch them from this little store where we took pop bottles back for 2 cents and buy candy. Lovely town back then. Everybody new everybody. My Grandpap worked in the Mather mine and two of my uncles were killed in the Mine explosion in 1928.
ReplyDeleteSure! We'd love to see the pictures!
DeleteIf you are a member of the Mather Group on facebook could you possibly post the picture there also
DeleteHow do I post them or where to send it??
ReplyDeleteSend them here, I'll do the rest....thanks!
Deleteetw2_2001@yahoo.com
The streets are named as numbers First Street, Second Street etc. There was a bigger building near there that was the furniture part of the company store, I believe.In the early 60's I walked from our home in Sistersville to the building near Christmas time for surplus food with my father (who had 32 years in the mine by then) and his burlap sack. He got his surplus allotment and we headed back. I remember it was the first place I ever seen a Barbie Doll and we couldn't afford it. Never did get one but my daughter did,LOl.
ReplyDeleteIt has been torn down now. So sad to see an empty spot there
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Mather, 1937-1960's, and The Liar's Den was a definite part of the town center, with Mather Grade School, the Hamilton Supply building, the "furniture" building, the Drug Store, Movie House, and Post Office. I'm pleased to hear that it is being renovated/reconstructed: it certainly was unique, as was Mather as a mining community. There was no other town in Greene County like it with the streets lined with maple trees...alas, most of those are gone!
ReplyDeleteI have the benches and the "closed 10 PM" sign in my backyard. also the blue and white pies that went around the den.
ReplyDeleteim Patrick mullen btw.
Deleteand that should say pipes not pies.
ReplyDelete