On around December 10, 2004, Stratics Reporter Fawne Goldynhart published a history of the Chesapeake shard.  It focused primarily on the earlier years when the Shard was young and many communities were forming, including PaxLair.  You may read the full article here at the official UO site.  Some of Fawne's reference information was submitted by Winfield, and that article is here.

The following is some text from Winfield's 9-page consolidated history of PaxLair.

THE BEGINNING -- THE BAND

When the Stranger broke the Gem of Immortality into many shards (1997) [ref 1], a guild called The Band led by Nightfall and Ender quickly appeared on the Atlantic Shard. Within a few months, though, The Band moved to the Chesapeake Shard where it established houses on the guard-protected Prison Island of Yew near the Court of Truth. The Band, being a mixed group of people with a variety of goals, sought to enjoy the Realm to its fullest. People in The Band were builders, fighters, healers, adventurers, craftsmen, and diplomats. Within several months, their protected island estate became too small and restricted for their ambitions. They sought a place that was more open for all to come to, including murderers of the Realm, and needed more facilities for their crafting and fighting ambitions.

So, one day (January 19, 1998) The Band set out with shovel and pickaxe in hand to build a place to expand. They came across a meadow between two forests just northwest of the Compassion Shrine. With mortar, stone, and wood, they soon built a saloon, two large forges, a tower, and several other buildings in that meadow. Key people who placed buildings were Wild Mike (who placed the first forge in the meadow, which still stands today, now claimed by the Orcs and called the Orcs Tavern), and Red (Soulweaver).

Band members and friends came from across the shard to see the new buildings. Several more wealthy people and guilds constructed buildings in the area. Within a few weeks, the once peaceful meadow bustled with activity as people trained, fought, and forged weapons and armour for residents and travelers.

As more people and guilds came along, such as The Sillyhood who established its guild house in the meadow, it was obvious this was becoming a large community. So The Band called the community "PaxLair" meaning "Peace Place" and set the stage for all to follow.

... this article by Winfield is continued here ...