Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The popular lakeside park in Greenville, Fla. carries her name, but just who was Haffye Hays?
Not much is known about the woman after whom Haffye Hays Park is named. According to local historian, Justina Cone, Haffye Hays was the daughter of one of the founders of modern Greenville, Elijah Hays. She was born in 1872 and passed away in 1962, at the age of 90. She never married or had any children of her own.
According to the book, "A History of Madison County," by Elizabeth Sims, Elijah Hays was a successful businessman who, in the latter half of the 19th century, had bought a great deal of land on which Greenville now sits. Elijah Hays operated large farms, ran a drug store, a general merchandise store, a grist mill, a cotton gin, a cotton warehouse and a turpentine still. Elijah Hays was also the first president of the Bank of Greenville, which served the citizens of Greenville for many years.
The story goes that Elijah Hays donated the land on which Haffye Hays Park sits to the Town of Greenville. The park now plays host to many community events throughout the year. One can also find the bronze statue of one of Greenville's more famous native sons, Ray Charles, on the grounds of the park.