STOCKTON — On Oct. 11, the new Stockton  Community Center was dedicated to the memory of Davida Richerson Hastie. A Stockton native, Hastie was a respected local historian and conservationist. 

Her knowledge of the area’s history was undisputed, and her willingness to share that information was appreciated by the local community as well as by history buffs throughout the state.  Through her affiliation with numerous historical societies she became well-known and admired for her contributions to historical preservation.  

Among those affiliations were The Baldwin County Historic Development Commission, the State Historic Commission, the Baldwin County Historic Society, and Friends of the Tensaw Delta. 

She served on the county’s first Planning and Zoning Commission and was the founder of Fort Mims Restoration Association. She also was a member of the Board of Blakeley State Park. 

She and her husband John Melvin Hastie owned and operated Live Oak Landing on the Tensaw River from 1949 until 1981.

Hastie was instrumental in the development of the site where the new Community Center was constructed at Old Schoolyard Park on Highway 59 in Stockton. 

Because of her lifetime work in promoting and protecting the history and natural beauty of the area, it was an easy decision for the Stockton Civic Club to dedicate the new facility to her.

Dr. Mike Mann gave the Invocation. He serves as pastor at Stockton Presbyterian Church where Hastie was a life-long member and the first female Deacon to serve the church.

Baldwin County Commissioner Frank Burt addressed the large crowd of friends and family, recounting his experiences working with the honoree through the years.  He referred to her as “a legend with the ability to lead people, but never standing in the forefront seeking recognition.” 

He added, “She could move mountains in a persuasive, but unassuming way.” Her extensive accomplishments are an obvius testimony to that fact.

An engraved plaque was unveiled and will be prominently displayed in the new structure, dedicating the building to Hastie’s service and devotion to her community.

The inscription reads:

"This building is dedicated to Davida Hastie Richerson.  She worked tirelessly to preserve the history of our region for the present and future generations.  She motivated and inspired others to be involved in maintaining the historic integrity of the area.”

In attendance were Hastie’s daughter Lynn Hastie Bozone and her husband Bill as well as John and Kim Hastie, Jr. Other guests included beloved grandchildren and over one hundred fifty community friends.

At the close of the ceremony, Lynn Hastie Bozone thanked the gathering for honoring her mother in such a meaningful way.  She referred to her mother as a “Bridge Builder” referring to the poem by Will Allen Dromboole.  Like the old man in the poem, Hastie did not work for herself, but for those who will come after her.  Because of her efforts, future generations will enjoy clean waterways and the pristine beauty of Baldwin County.

Shortly following her death in March of this year, the Baldwin County Commission Department of Archives and History in conjunction with the Stockton Civic Club, awarded a similar recognition when the Bicentennial Park Nature Trail was named in her honor.