Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

November 15, 1951

The City of Hohenwald completed the laying of sidewalks along Park Avenue from the corner of the Courthouse square to Main Street. The sidewalk project was nearing completion as workers were busy pouring sidewalks on West Main across from Kittrell Motor Company.

A Thanksgiving service was scheduled to be held at the LCHS Auditorium on November 21. The high school Glee Club and several local ministers were listed as participating in the program.

Joe Staggs graduated from U.S. Army basic training at Fort Braggs, NC.

Junior Hensley was inducted into the U.S. Army on October 5.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Overbey observed their 50th wedding anniversary at home with family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Marie Prince, 31; and for Webb Seaton, 58.

Kitrrell Motor Company offered a Frigidaire automatic clothes washer that required “no bolting down” for $302.75.

“Trail of the Yukon,” starring Kirby Grant, and “Frontier Outpost,” starring Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette, were the Friday and Saturday night films showing at the Strand Theatre.

November 16, 1961

Elizabeth Stayrook received won first place in the Lewis County Soil Conservation District essay contest.

Hal Christiansen, personnel manager at the local Genesco, was promoted to administrative assistant to the president of Genesco.

The annual community Thanksgiving service was scheduled for November 21 at First Baptist Church.

LCHS opened their 1961-62 basketball season by winning two games from Collinwood. The Lady Panthers took the opener with a 52 to 32 win; and the Panthers ended the night with a score of 49 to 45. Paula Curry led the Lady Panthers by scoring 22 points. Terry Hickerson led the Panthers in scoring with 15 points.

William Worrell was a member of the 77th Army Ordnance Company football team which won the subregion touch football championship in Mannheim, Germany.

Genesco employees were honored with service awards. Receiving pins were Lillian Hinson, 15 years; Bessie Tatum, 5 years; and Clyde Turnbow, 15 years.

W.H. Boyce was honored for his 90th birthday with a dinner held at his home.

Funeral services were held for Whithorne Bell, 81; and for Myrtle Peery, 82.

“The Naked Edge,” starring Gary Cooper, and “Revolt of the Slaves,” starring Rhonda Fleming, were the Saturday-night double feature shown at both the Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatre.

November 18, 1971

A Lewis County jury found Stephen Gaskin and three members of his commune guilty of manufacturing marijuana. Gaskin, who was sentenced to three years in prison, maintained that his followers used marijuana as part of their religion, and that it was their constitutional right to worship as they chose.

The Oak Grove community opened a solid waste disposal area which was free to the public. The pit was located back of the Oak Grove community building in a chert pit. Garbage dumped there would be covered by community members thus meeting State pollution requirements.

C.R. Bell was presented a plaque in appreciation of 25 years’ service with Western Auto at a Merchandising Show held on October 24, 1971.

The annual community Thanksgiving service was scheduled for November 24 at the First Pentecostal Church.

The LCHS Girls basketball team defeated Mt. Pleasant with a score of 48 to 38. Michelle Berwick was the top scorer with 22 points.

James Scott graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base.

Funeral services were held for Ezra Elkins, 62; Curtis Hankins, 42; and for Arthur Talley, 73.

Advertised Thanksgiving specials this week at Piggly Wiggly included: Tom turkeys for the price of $0.31 a pound, fully cooked whole or half hams for $0.65, five cans of green beans for $1.00, five 16-ounce cans of Empress sliced pineapple for $1.00, a can of King Phar yams for $0.29, fresh coconut for $0.19 each, and a pound of fresh cranberries for $0.29.

“Bloody Mama,” starring Shelley Winters, and “Cat O’Nine Tails,” starring James Franciscus and Karl Malden, were the Friday and Saturday night double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

November 19, 1981

The Lewis County Commission met in a special session to approve the transfer of several parcels of land at John A. Baker Airport to allow for the construction of a roadway and make possible access to the construction of the Certified Industries plant.

The Hohenwald Merchants Association decided to continue plans for the beautification and improvement “Townlift” of the downtown shopping area.

The Community Chorus met for the first time on November 14 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The annual community Thanksgiving service would be held on November 25 at Blondy Church of God.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Spring Hill in the first playoff game with a score of 14 to 12. Ken Crowell, senior tail back, was named the Nashville Banner Mid State Class A Most Valuable Player of the Week.

Alan Moore won first place in the fast car race of the Cub Scout Troop 322 Pinewood Derby.

The following births were announced: Leza Ra’Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Ingram; and Lori Michelle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Carroll.

Funeral services were held for Thelma Hood, 87; and for Harry Hooper, 68.

Memorial Park advertised that beginner’s roller skating lessons would be offered at the Skating Hut.

Hohenwald Livestock Market advertised it was under the new management of Westley Rader, III, and that a Grand Opening would be held November 21.

“Going All the Way” was the weekend movie at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

November 14, 1991

An inmate serving time on drug charges in the Lewis County Jail filed a class action lawsuit against county officials, challenging the living conditions of the county-run jail located on top of the court house.

Jim Allen was presented the 1991 E.B. Dyer Conservation Farmer of the Year Award by Glen Ammons at the annual Soil Conservation banquet.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sent a team of consultants to the Tennessee Natchez Trace area to evaluate its potential for tourism.

The 1991 Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Extension Homemakers Club was cancelled.

Anne Moore was featured in the weekly “Teacher Feature” column.

The following births were announced: Leah Elizabeth, daughter of Randy and Nicki Jones; Keston John, son of Johnny and Ginger Kilpatrick; and Blake Alexander, son of Rick and Tonya Buillion.

Funeral services were held for Arthur Baxter, 79; Earline Hinson, 85; Lucy Hinson, 92; Edward Goodman, 82; Charles Livengood, 66; Jennifer Lowrimore, 37; and for Helen Watson, 54.

Butterball turkeys cost $0.99 a pound at Harris Cee Bee Food Store. A Big Mac cost $0.99 at McDonald’s. Pizza Hut advertised that they were accepting applications through the TN Employment Security Office.

November 15, 2001

The Lewis County Commission officially proclaimed November 18-24 as America’s Christian Heritage Week in Lewis County. A celebration in conjunction with this week would be held in the Wal-Mart parking lot on November 19.

The LCHS Panthers advanced to the third round of TSSAA Playoffs with a 35 to 28 victory over the Harpeth Indians. Kip Kelsey raced for a 33-yard touchdown at 1:18 in the fourth quarter to give Lewis County a victory.

The Lewis County Jaycees announced that the 2001 Christmas parade would be dedicated to the memory of the late Hohenwald Police Officer Alan Ragsdale.

Avaleen Springs Bed and Breakfast was featured in this week’s Chamber Spotlight.

The Lewis County Quilters club completed their first quilt for foster children in Lewis County.

Melissa Bradley was crowned Miss Cover Miss USA at a pageant held at Shady Brook Mall in Columbia.

Terry Bunch was named Soil Conservationist of the Year at the 19th annual Soil Conservation Banquet.

The following births were announced: Jerrid Alan, son of Kenny and April Runions; and Alexander Scott Esen, son of Sean and Christi Griffin.

This article was written using local history resources available at the Lewis County Public Library and Archives. Libraries are guardians of history. Visit the library and archives to learn more about our community’s unique past.