Gillespie (Central Province)

The 1980 warehouse located on the east side of Gillespie.

Gillespie, also known as the Central Province, is a province located in the central region of the Holy Republic of FRID. It was the first territory claimed by the HRF in 2021 and serves as a hub for economic activity due to its location, industry, and resources. Officially, the total area is 11 acres with a perimeter of approximately 1.06 miles. The name "Gillespie" originates from the American jazz trumpeter, "Dizzy Gillespie," who was a pioneer in the be-bop genre. Several markets have opened in the province, with a farmers market opening during the warmer seasons. Games of "stickball" and tennis can be commonly found during this time.

History

2021

On 16 May 2021 at approximately 16:00, four representatives of the HRF planted a flag at Gillespie's "central overlook," marking the official founding of the Holy Republic of FRID. The makeshift flag was a printed piece of 11x8 with a plastic bag protecting from rain. Since then, the flag has been removed in place of a polyester one.

The summer of 2021 saw major activity in the province, with several infrastructure projects being conducted. Roads, pathways, shelters, and storage sites were all completed during this time. A military outpost was established at the central overlook where the original founding occurred. Later in 2021, the HRF purchased the warehouse located on the east side of the province. It was later discovered that the building was built in 1980 to store water treatment equipment.

2022

2022 saw a decline in activity in Gillespie. Markets which had opened in the province were affected by the increase in military presence due to recent attacks by the Salt Creek Republic. The central overlook outpost was abandoned and replaced by a new military base located on the east side of the province. Gillespie was attacked in early October by a small group of SCR revolutionaries, also known as "Creekers." The group had vandalized and destroyed several structures. The group remained in the area for an estimated hour before being forced out by HRF forces in military trucks. Despite this, the SCR still claimed to occupy the western sector of Gillespie. By 2023, what forces of the SCR that still remained had been driven out. In January 2023, the main gate to the province was repaired after being damaged during the conflicts.

2023

The main entrance to the province facing west. Circa January 2023.

2023 marked the beginning of a re-building phase after the SCR had been completely driven out of the central region. The HRF warehouse had new lights installed both inside and along the exterior. In May, 2023, the HRF approved the funding to light up sections of the province. The lights, planned to be warmly colored LEDs, would be installed on posts and chained together above ground, similar to a telephone line. Powering the system would be the pre-existing electrical generator located near the warehouse. In June, several structures that had been destroyed during the conflict were re-built. A composting center was established on the north side of the province. In January, during the night in a snowstorm, a civilian car had gotten stuck in a snow bank on the north side of Gillespie as a result of poor visibility and slippery roads. An HRF patrol arrived shortly afterwards to assist. Snow underneath the car was dug out, until the car was finally recovered by an HRF vehicle equipped with a winch.

The Mysterious Figure Incident

In mid-January, an incident occurred between four HRF patrols and mysterious figure. During the night, at approximately 22:15, an unidentified shadowy figure was spotted in the middle of the main road by an HRF patrol. The figure did not appear to move and did not respond to call-outs by the patrol crew. Shining a spotlight mounted on the patrol vehicle revealed nothing due to the snowfall. The figure had reportedly stood in the middle of the road four approximately five minutes before slowly walking off the road and disappearing into the forest. Another patrol had arrived shortly afterwards. The two patrol groups searched the forest but could not find the mysterious figure. Afterwards, the patrols jokingly labeled the figure as an "SCP," and nicknamed it "Ralph." The shadowy figure remains a mystery and somewhat of a legend in the HRF.