By Michel Outridge

THIS week, the Pepperpot Magazine visited the riverside community of Christiansburg, Wismar, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), an idyllic village which was the very first established by three friends, one of whom had a logging business.

This village originated as a logging settlement before Linden and its early settlers were three friends: Patterson, Spencer and Blount.

Patterson settled and established Christiansburg, Wismar and he was the founder of the first sawmill in Christianburg, which is under the National Trust, but that very sawmill was dismantled and only the waterwheel remains as a historic landmark.

Next to the waterwheel, the old Magistrate’s Court used to be which housed the home of Patterson and his ancestors are buried in the compound.

Christianburg is divided into three sections, A, B and C and has one of the oldest cemeteries known.

The water wheel was built in 1985 by a Scottish engineer, John Danglish Patterson, who installed the very large iron wheel as a prime mover for his sawmilling equipment.

Patterson’s hydro-powered sawmill is the only of its kind. The sawmill was dismantled, but the water wheel remains as an example of how the timber industry was mechanised and the rich natured resources of the area.

Christiansburg is a ward of the municipality and was one of three wards, that is, Wismar, McKenzie before the municipality was formed, but there is a local government in place and it was called Mackmarburg.

The people are skilled professionals, teachers, nurses, miners, business people, small-business operators, carpenters, masons, contractors and many others, who work in both the private and public sectors.

The population is very large and is scattered across the three sections of Christianburg.

It is a community which overlooks the Demerara River and it is a tranquil setting, which brings out nature at its best with a lot of greenery.

This place has a lot of trees, colourful plants, flowers in many bright colours and well-kept yards and houses.

Over the years the place has seen some development in terms of all-weather roads and it seems that newer buildings have been constructed and the people are trying their hands at different things to make their livelihoods.

There is a stillness of this village and it is the perfect place to live if you want to enjoy some quiet and to do so in a picturesque community.

In this community, no one seems to be in a rush and they go about their daily routine civilly and it is a close-knit village where the people are very neighbourly.

Christianburg, Wismar has a lot of landmark buildings, including churches that have withstood the test of time and other historical sites which remind the people of its history.

It can very well become a tourist destination and it is very accessible overland and water and it is one of those places you go and want to sit a little bit longer by the river.

By the river, there are benches and other chairs under shady trees where you can sit and have some quiet time to yourself anytime you wish.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Consultant of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Leon Roberts, who gave developmental highlights within Christianburg said the primary school is under construction, replacing an old building that was once a church.

He related that an entrance bridge linking Section B to Section C Christianburg was constructed, but the bridge will be redone because of many issues which are undermining the bridge and and that costs the RDC a lot annually to do revetment works.

Roberts, who was speaking on behalf of the Regional Chairman Deron Adams, who was otherwise engaged at the time stated that the Community Centre building which once housed the Magistrate’s Court is undergoing rehab works.

He explained that when the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court was burnt, all proceedings were shifted to the Community Centre building in which temporary holding cells were constructed to accommodate court cases.

Roberts reported that Christianburg has produced a lot of sportsmen and sportswomen, including footballers, the Hutson brothers, volleyball players and many more.