Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

April 10, 1952

The State Highway Department announced that the highway between Hohenwald and Linden would be relocated down Coon Creek, intersecting the highway at Parnell School on Coon Creek, 2.5 miles east of Linden. This change would shorten the distance to Linden by more than three miles.

J.C. Bisbee announced that Bisbees Comedians would make their annual appearance in Hohenwald the following week. Bisbee would pitch his tent theatre on the Court House lot. His show was scheduled to include Boob and Rod Brasfield; in addition to, wire walkers, jugglers, trampoline artists, contortionists and royalty plays. Adult admission was $0.60 and children’s admission was $0.25.

R.K. Roney, Jr. declined the appointment of postmaster at the local post office. Roney stated that he turned down the appointment due to the fact that his business as co-owner, and production manager of the Old Black Joe Company required his attention and made it impractical to accept the position.

Funeral services were held for Nole Breece, 53; Vesta Gordon, 72; and for Roy Murphree.

”Captive Park,” starring Johnny Weissmuller as Jungle Jim, and “Deputy Marshall,” starring Jon Hall and Frances Langford, were the Friday and Saturday night films showing at the Strand Theatre. An “Adults Only” screening of the film “Pin-Down Girl” was advertised for Thursday, April 10 at 10 p.m.

April 12, 1962

A first grade student at Hohenwald Elementary School was killed when he was run over by a school bus on April 11. The child had disembarked from the school bus and proceeded towards the south entrance of the school when he suddenly ran back, apparently to pick up an item he had dropped, and ran into the path of the slow-moving bus.

The Lewis County Quarterly Court passed a resolution for the issuance of $60,000 in bonds to be used for a vocational training school.

Dennis Gowder was honored for his 20 years of service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A dinner meeting of civic leaders and county officials held at General Café resulted in the group voting to take part in a Rural Area Development program.

Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Black, Jr. announced the birth of their daughter, Kelly.

Funeral services were held for Michael Anderson, 6; and for Claude Baker, 60.

“Hey Let’s Twist,” starring Jerry Dee and the Starliters, and “Valley of the Dragons,” starring Cesare Danova and Sean McClory, were the Friday and Saturday-night double feature shown at the Highlands Drive-In and the Saturday night feature shown at the Strand Theatre.

April 13, 1972

The main headline for the week was “Lewis County Budget Near Two Million Mark.” The Quarterly Court passed setting the tentative budget at $1,899,317—which was a combined total of general fund, highway department, and county school budgets.

LCHS students Nancy Hamilton and Teresa Tatum took honors in a commercial contest held at Columbia State Community College.

Terry Cotham and Hulon Dunn, Jr. were named delegates to American Legion Boys State. Alternates were Ricky Clayton and Larry Russell. Jan Lynch was named the delegate to Girls State. Nancy Hamilton was her delegate.

A hillbilly-themed teen party and dance was scheduled at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club on April 14; and a casino party featuring various games with play money only and decoration supplied by Harold’s Club, Reno, NV was scheduled for April 15.

Betty Nutt was an official entrant in the Blue Ribbon Food Fair sponsored by Favorite Recipes Press.

Funeral services were held for Olen Ammon, 66; Ellen Brewer, 84; Ida Carroll, 79; and for William McClearen, 77.

“Gone With the Wind,” starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, was the Friday and Saturday night movie showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

April 15, 1982

One of the Lewis County-ran ambulances wrecked shortly after midnight on April 09 while enroute to an accident on Hwy 99.

A house fire on South Walnut Street claimed the life of a child.

An accident at the traffic light at the intersection of West Main and Court Street resulted in a gas pump at the Gulf Station being knocked over.

The Senior Class of 1982 was to present “Meet Me at the Fair,” a musical by Dennis Noble on April 23 and 24 at the new high school. Admission was $2.00.

The annual Spring Fling Festival was scheduled to be held at Hohenwald Elementary School on April 24. Kindergarten through 8th grade would have games, balloons, crafts, foods, and other types of booths.

A Flea Market was scheduled for Memorial Park on April 17 & 18. Interested parties were to bring their own tables.

Mark McCann and William Shirley III enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Thomas McKay reenlisted in the U.S. Navy.

The LCHS baseball team defeated Waynesboro with a score of 2 to 1. Scott Williams pictched the entire game, allowing only three hits and striking out ten batters.

Funeral services were held for Eric Rogers, infant; William Starbuck, 88; and for Mica Taylor, 3.

Potts Mobile Station advertised two drawings each Saturday for a case of free beer—winner’s choice of brand

“Slumber Party Massacre,” starring Michelle Michaels, Robin Stille, and Michael Villella; and “Hills Have Eyes,” starring Suze Lanier-Bramlett and Robert Houston , were the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday movies at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

April 9, 1992

Over 1,000 marijuana plants were discovered in various places of the county during a joint raid conducted the TBI.

The Lewis County Heritage League announced that a Franz Schubert Musical Festival was scheduled for May 03 at the LCMS auditorium as part of Maifest celebrations.

Over 100 people attended the annual Fashion Show held by the Pilot Club of Hohenwald on April 04.

The Lewis County Jaycees were scheduled to host an Easter Egg Hunt on April 18 for all Lewis County children ages 2 through 9.

Wilma Churchwell was featured in the weekly “Teacher Feature” column.

A womanless beauty review was scheduled to be held on April 12 at the LCMS auditorium. The event was sponsored by the employees at Wal-Mart with all proceeds benefiting Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Tharp and Mr. and Mrs. S.B. O’Guin were honored at the annual Farm Bureau meeting held on April 02. The Tharps received plaques for over 35 years of service on the Board of Directors. The O’Guin’s plaque was for serving as Directors at Large for 27 years.

Gwen Denton and Tabitha Morton competed in the Tennessee AAU Basketball Championship in Cheatam County.

David Carroll was awarded two trophies in the Pinewood Derby Race held on April. He won first place in speed and in appearance of the car.

Christopher Bishop enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Funeral services were held for William Lay, 64; and for Elsie Lawson, 86.

April 11, 2002

The Hohenwald “Wheels for Life” St. Jude’s bike-a-thon was scheduled for April 13 at the Natchez Trace Wilderness Preserve.

Slide shows featuring the history of the Meriwether Lewis Monument would be held throughout the spring at the Meriwether Lewis Campground Amphitheater.

Dana Corporation recognized a number of employees with service awards. Receiving awards were Joyce Hilderbrandt, 40 years; Gabby Spears, 40 years; Coy Reeves, 35 years; Herbert Stevens, 35 years; and Rich Novogurski, 25 years.

The LCHS baseball team defeated Fairview with a score of 8 to 4 in district play. Johnny Mendez and Braden Pace each had three hits in the game.

Marty and Debbie Murphy announced the birth of their daughter, Meaghan Martyna.

Funeral services were held for Rita Duncan, 85; Malcolm Edwards, 69; Dempsey Garrett, 74; Goldie Hensley, 67; and for Dollie Simmons, 96.

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.