Founded in the late 1700s, Keysville fell on hard times after its sawmill industry left, its railroad stopped running and its schools consolidated and moved away. In 1988, though, school teacher Emma Gresham called on help from high-profile friends and, with vision, drive and organization in mind, she stepped in as mayor and encouraged the city's revival. 

Today, Mayor Maggie B. Cartwright does the same, working daily to cut cost and keep the still fledging city government afloat.