Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

June 12, 1952

Hohenwald was a featured city in the then-current issue of “Tennessee Town and City” magazine, published by the Tennessee Municipal League in cooperation with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at the University of Tennessee. The magazine article gave a brief history of the town and other local information taken from a booklet prepared in 1951 by Mayor W.C. Keaton and other city officials.

The Hohenwald Genesco shoe plant’s newsletter, The General, won the First Award for Pictorial Story at a contest sponsored by the International Council of Industrial Editors. The General scored a 100 on the pictorial feature, and received a score of 91 for sports, 84 for editorial achievement, and an over-all rating of 91.

Albert Gore, Sr., candidate for U.S. Senator, was scheduled to speak in Hohenwald on June 13 at the corner of Main and Park Streets.

Mrs. Roy Murphree and Mrs. Elihu Johnston attended the sixth annual Tennessee Farm Bureau Home and Community Department Conference at the Middle Tennessee 4-H Club Camp in Columbia, TN.

Edward L. Akers was the first man to retire from Genesco with 10 years’ service in the Hohenwald plant. He was employed as a fireman at the plant.

The Marbet family held a reunion in Hohenwald. The article stated that “Hohenwald had done much for the Marbets and the Marbets for Hohenwald. And Hohenwald has taken the Marbets to its heart as much as all the Marbets have a warm place in their hearts for Hohenwald.”

H. L. Rasbury and Son advertised “Hey Kids! Don’t fail to see a real live monkey at H.L. Rasbury & Son Saturday and Sat. nite [sic].”

“Waco,” starring Wild Bill Elliot, and “The Last Musketeer,” starring Rex Allen and Mary Ellen Kay, were the Friday and Saturday night movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

June 14, 1962

Odis Malone was injured in a freak accident at his home. A car that pulled up and parked failed to shift the transmission to park. When the car began to roll forward, the driver reached for the brake, but hit the accelerator by mistake—running over Malone who was working in front of the car. He was dragged approximately 15 feet before the car came to a stop against a building.

The LCHS golf team won first place in the TSSAA state tournament with a score of 146. Members of the winning team were David Barber; John Barber; Terry Hickerson; Micky Meislohn; and A.B. Sisco, Jr.

The newspaper reported that Henry Harris played an unusual game of golf. Harris shot a one under par 35 at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club, yet failed to par a single hole. He had five birdies and four bogies for the nine holes.

Bobby Bryant was stationed with the Army at Fort Gordon, GA.

Charles Prince of MVA Motor Company won one of eight Thunderbirds that he was allowed to drive for a month as part of sales promotion by the Louisville District of Ford dealorships.

The All-Star team from Hohenwald defeated the Centerville baseball squad by a score of 8 to 4.

Pfc. Bobby Bryant was stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA.

Jerry Holt was serving aboard the USS Windham County with the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific.

Mrs. G. M. Cothran was honored for her 83rd birthday with a celebration attended by family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Otto Garrett, 58; and for James Russell, 67.

“Twist All Night,” starring Louise Prima and June Wilkinson, and “Two Rode Together,” starring James Stewart and Richard Widmark, were the Friday and Saturday-night double feature shown at the Highlands Drive-In and at the Strand Theatre.

June 15, 1972

Over $800 in merchandise and money was taken in a break-in at Horner Furniture Company. Several items of merchandise, including six guns and two black and white televisions were taken, in addition to $81 taken from the register.

Five people were injured in a grinding two-car crash when a car collided with a Hohenwald Police car pulling onto East Main from Old Piney Road. The driver was charged with driving under the influence.

John Shannon and Martha Smith attended the 17th Annual 4-H Regional Conference in NC.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Durham announced the birth of their daughter, Melissa Lynn.

Funeral services were held for Vanessa Seiber, infant; and for Evelyn Rose.

James “Bo Peep” Leigh advertised the opening of the Belly Stretcher Café, formerly known as the Hohenwald Café.

“Five Bloody Graves,” starring Robert Dix and Jim Davis, and “Horror of Blood Monsters” were the Friday and Saturday night movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

June 17, 1982

Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company announced plans to remodel and expand their banking facility. A temporary drive-in window would be located on Court Street, immediately behind their existing building.

The Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with the TBI and the District Attorney’s Office, seized a whiskey still in the Napier Lake area that had approximately 100 gallons of mash with it ready to be cooked off.

Unemployment in Lewis County rose to 16.3 percent in April 1982, up from 15.4 percent in March.

Christy James attended the 27th Annual 4-H Regional Conference in NC.

Members of the Hohenwald Ladies Bowling League participated in a national tournament held in St. Louis, MO. Members who went to St. Louis were Cherry Beckett, Stacy Johnston, Jo Ann Neal, Janie Peevyhouse, Ruby Scott, Diane Sharpe, Judy Whitworth, and Lola Whitworth.

The following births were reported: Leigh Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rick Wallace; Paul Lee Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Spears.

Mr. and Mrs. Buron Hinson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a party at the Riverside Church of Christ fellowship hall.

Swan View Restaurant advertised that they would give 100 “Quality Stamps” to anyone buying tow fish dinners with the coupon printed in the paper.

“Forbidden World,” starring Jesse Vint, and “Rabid,” starring Marilyn Chambers and Frank Moore, were the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

June 11, 1992

Judy Eads was named Chief Executive Officer for Lewis Community Hospital.

The Hohenwald Merchants and Retailers Association announced a downtown yard sale on Friday, July 3 with new and used items for sale.

The following births were announced: Daniel Holden, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Dudley; Matthew Joel Robert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Corlew; Britney Michelle, daughter of Jay and Angela Swaw; and Katelyn Virginia, daughter of George and Cynthia Collison.

Mr. and Mrs. Everette Hinson celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Willie McDonald.

Funeral services were held for Gurtie Bailey, 82; Lanty French, 42; James Harbin, 62; Elizabeth Johnson, 26; and for Jessie Spears, 84.

The Highlander Restaurant and Lounge advertised a Thursday special of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, giblet corn, and garlic bread for $3.29.

June 20, 2002

A methamphetamine lab was discovered on Summertown Highway by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

A computerized dispatching system was installed at City Hall at the request of the E-911 Board.

A two-vehicle wreck that involved unlicensed juveniles reported as runaways from Brentwood occurred in front of Community South Bank on Main Street.

Terry McClain completed in a four-man Air National Guard competition in Fort Drum, NY that took first place honors, giving them the world status as the top close air support unit.

Lance Everson was named the 2002 4-H Dairy Chairman.

The following births were announced: Sara Elizabeth, daughter of Josh and Tammy Brown; Jared Steven, son of Chad and Wendy Collier; and Kaitlyn Page, daughter of Jennifer Stump and Steve Hudgins.

Mae McLemore was honored for her birthday with a dinner hosted by her children.

Funeral services were held for Edward Tenison, Sr., 88.

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.