If you are lucky enough to live in a small town and you are lucky enough to know people that have lived there most of their lives, then you are the lucky one who gets to hear stories about the past.

Here in Hansville, there were many happenings as it grew from a farming community into the charming town it now is, and I’ll tell you a few stories I’ve heard about the community.

This is hearsay, but the story goes that because ships couldn’t get in close to shore at Point No Point, every day someone from this community had to row out to the ship that carried mail, gather the communications and bring them back to the post office. One day, the seas were particularly rough and they were looking for someone to do this rowing-out deed. They chatted about it for a while then someone said in their best Scandinavian accent, “Don’t worry, Hans vill do it.” And sure enough he did, and was very reliable there after. And so the town was named Hansville in appreciation for his services (his full name was Hans Zachariasen).

After that tale (are you still laughing?), I’ll tell you a couple more stories from the past that are more grounded in fact.

Did you know there was a hamburger stand near where the Hansville Store is now and before the Forbes family built the building that became the restaurant? In the early 1950s, Peggy Zachary opened this stand, which seated several people on pop-out stools. When the stand was closed, wooden doors on hinges covered the inside workings.

When the stand opened for business, doors that were hinged at the top would be propped open and form a sort of awning or covering for those enjoying their coffee or soda and hamburgers. Peggy’s son, Al, remembers there was also candy and gum sold and he thinks maybe cigarettes too. The stand was very popular with the fishermen and locals and especially during the fishing derby weekends. Don’t exactly know what a hamburger cost, but Tootsie Pops were 2 cents each.

And are you aware of the steep set of stairs in the Point No Point area that go up to the park? These stairs were put in by the county, but not for beachcombers or hikers to get up to the park (although that happens a lot). They were installed so people that were in the park could get down to the water. I know this is a minor point, but officially they were built to augment the park goer’s enjoyment.

So stand by for more stories from our past in upcoming columns. And look at what is happening this month in Hansville.

— June 1: Hansville Church Flea Market/Bake Sale (at the church parking lot).
— June 1: Ladies Air Dinner Dance (HCC).
— June 25: Social Hour (at HCC), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
— June 29: Writers’ How-to (Little Boston Library).

— Contact columnist Donna Lee Anderson at welltoldtales@aol.com.