Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

April 24, 1952

The Baccalaureate sermon for the graduating class of LCHS was scheduled for Sunday, April 27 at the high school gymnasium.

Grady Leigh was elected president of the Lewis County Farm Bureau.

Members of the American Legion Post 127 and Auxiliary were scheduled to visit the Veterans Hospital in Nashville on April 24, 1952 for the purpose of entertaining the veterans there.

John Brewer, John Ellis, James Jones, and Claude Duncan, all U.S. Navy, were reported to be returning home from Korea aboard the USS Wisconsin.

Bobby Tucker was stationed in Alaska with the U.S. Army.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. John Fite; and for Earl Hickerson, 48.

The General Café advertised curbside service. The invited residents to “keep cool with frosted malt: the family desert” and to sound their horn for curb service.

“Square Dance Katy,” starring Vera Vauge and Shelly Ryan, and “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” starring Whip Wilson and Fuzzy Knight were the Friday and Saturday double feature showing at the Strand Theatre.

April 26, 1962

Kenneth Craig was named manager of the Hohenwald office of the Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative. Mr. Craig had been associated with MLEC since 1949.

Reverend Jack Sides, minister of the Hohenwald Methodist Church, was named Chairman of the 1962 Clean Up- Paint Up- Fix Up campaign in Hohenwald.

The Cadets of the Lewis Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol received third place honors in a drill competition held at Berry Field in Nashville on April 21.

Bill Estes, Park Ranger at Meriwether Lewis Park, was scheduled to show slides and give a commentary on them at the meeting of the Hohenwald Rotary Club on May 02.

The Hohenwald Methodist Church would hold a Historical Observance of its Sesquincentennial of the founding of the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church on April 29 with services at the local church, followed by a dedication and open house at the new Swiss chalet parsonage on West Second Street.

Fannie Wisdom was honored for her 87th birthday with a dinner at the home of her daughter.

Funeral services were held for Carlton Holt, 34; Elizabeth Parnell, 84; and for Sam Stephens, 91.

“Madison Avenue,” starring Dana Anderson and Eleanor Parker, and “Quantrill’s Raiders,” starring Steve Cochran and Diane Brewster, were the Friday and Saturday-night double feature shown at the Highlands Drive-In and at the Strand Theatre.

April 27, 1972

The Lewis County Board of Election announced that there would be a special referendum during the Presidential Preference Primary on May 04. The referendum was to give voters the opportunity to express their opinions on the question of bussing public school students for the purpose of achieving racial balance in school enrollments.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Grimes donated 32 acres of riverfront property on the Buffalo River for a Boy Scout facility and canoe base.

Hohenwald Billards on Park Avenue was broken into on April 25; with the thief taking about $100-all in nickels and small change.

A painting of Mary Osterday of Hohenwald was selected for purchase following its entry in the Fall Creek Falls State Park Art Purchase Competition. The paint was a still life in oil entitled “Tennessee Road-Side Flowers.”

Mahnee Barnette joined the WMLR radio station news staff as a reporter of local news, as well as some special events.

Larry Ferguson enlisted in the U.S. Army.

The Senior Class of 1972 were scheduled to present the senior play “Grandad Goes Wild” on May 05.

Terry Cherry, of the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission, released 300 rainbow trout into the waterways of Lewis County.

Jerry Jones caught a 12.5-pound muskellunge while fishing at Laurel Hill Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brown announced the birth of their daughter, Stephanie Nicole.

Funeral services were held for Lillian Hinson, 60; Claude Quillen, 71; and for Curtis Mathis, 64.

Genesco and Henry I. Seigel both announced that they were increasing production in the Hohenwald needed machine operators or anyone interested in training for machine operators.

“Fury on Wheels,” starring Tom Ligon; and “40 Graves for 40 Guns,” starring Robert Padilla, were the Friday and Saturday night movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

April 29, 1982

City Hall announced an Open House would be held on Sunday, May 02, so that residents could view the newly-purchased fire truck and equipment. Members of the Volunteer Fire Department would be on hand to explain how the truck and equipment work and to answer any questions.

The Hohenwald Merchants Association planned a motorcycle show on Main Street to be held on May 01.

Ronald James was elected commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1814.

Tony Woodall hit a hole-in-one while playing at the Stoneybrook Golf Course in Columbia, TN.

Mark Sisco was one of eight members of Freed Hardeman College’s Free Enterprise Team to attend the Mid-West Regional Free Enterprise competition in St. Louis, MO. Sisco’s team came home with the National Honors Project Award.

The LCHS baseball team defeated Parson with a score of 9 to 3. Brian Hinson and Dwayne Wilson pitched the game, allowing only three hits. The Panthers also defeated Clifton with a score of 10 to 2. Brian Hinson and Jimmy Miller pitched for the team, striking out 12 and allowing only 3 hits.

Delano and Celeste Himes announced the birth of their daughter, Aleczandria Bianca.

Funeral services were held for Johnny Hickerson, 55; Thomas Rigsby, 62; and for John Sharp, 93.

“Night Crossing,” starring John Hurt and Jane Alexander, and “Swiss Family Robinson,” starring John Mills and Dorothy McGuire, were the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday movies at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

April 23, 1992

Governor Ned McWherter attended the grand opening of the Laredo/Code West second plant on April 21.

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners appointed a committee to plan the 150th anniversary of Lewis County.

“Bernice” Bobby Page won the Womanless Beauty Review held on April 11 at LCMS. Proceeds from the event benefited Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Chuck and Jeralyn Cassidy announced the birth of their son, Kyle Alexander.

Hilton Loudermilk was honored for his 80th birthday with a dinner given by his daughter, Phyllis McCoy.

Funeral services were held for Wiley Bates, 68; Robert Brewer, 45; and for Deborah Skelton, 34.

April 25, 2002

Byrne Dunn and the staff of the Lewis County Herald were honored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans of Columbia for their ongoing efforts to promote Confederate history of Lewis County.

Three Lewis County Men received Federal indictments on drug-related conspiracies to manufacture.

Three Lewis Countians were arrested in Maury County after law enforcement received a tip that they were buying large amounts of prescriptions medications.

Two Lewis County residents were indicted in Lawrence County on charges of transporting stolen explosive materials (dynamite) across a state line.

Transfer Designs were featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

The following Dana employees were honored with service awards: Bobby Fry, 30 years; Sam Jordan, 35 years; James Quillen, 25 years; and for Glenda Stowe, 25 years.

Funeral services were held for Peggy Bates, 59; Conyar Craig, 90; Jewell Grimes, 49; Randall Grimes, 43; Hayden Mathis, 4; Ester Rochelle, 88; and for Alexander Spears, 16.

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.