WE Live Here. Better Know BATESVILLE.

Community history

Laurel & the Long Branch

A small town understood through the people who lived it — the Long Branch, Haspin Acres, and the old high school.

LaurelLast updated November 4, 2026

Laurel & the Long Branch

The story so far

What happened here.

Darrick got a real look at Laurel through Joyce Rogers, who has lived it her whole life — buildings, stories, pride, history.

See Darrick's original post →

What neighbors remember

According to the locals who lived it.

Worked as an electrician at Haspin Acres in about 1974. Because his job was local, hillbilly bar etiquette got him into the Long Branch.

— Eric White

At 17, broke down with no phone, he walked into the Long Branch because it held the only pay phone in town that worked.

— Rick Cate

The old high school next to the library looks nice with its new gym floor, where he plays pickleball now — the building has a lot of uses.

— Dan Laker

Still to learn

Open questions.

  • What do you remember about Haspin Acres? Neighbors noticed it didn't make the piece.

See also

Connected pieces.

Do you remember this place?

Share a memory, a photo, or a correction — or answer one of the open questions above. Submissions are reviewed by a person before anything appears publicly, and nothing is posted as-is. Photos are used only with your permission and with credit as you give it.

Last updated November 4, 2026. New memories appear here after review.

One photo, up to 10 MB. A JPG, PNG, or phone photo works — it goes to BetterKnow only, same as the words above.

Goes to BetterKnow only — never shared, never posted publicly without review.