Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

August 21, 1952

A diorama depicting Meriwether Lewis approaching Grinder’s Stand was on exhibit in the replica cabin at Meriwether Lewis National Monument. The diorama was created by artists employed by the Bureau of Public Roads and donated to the National Park Service.

A delayed report was received on the annual Hohenwald Old Timers Picnic held in Dixon, IL. A total of 81 persons attended.

Vocational Agriculture Teacher, A. O. Ramy wrote an article about the E. B. Dyer farm and how the seeding of Sudan grass was helping to keep the Dyers’ cattle well-fed.

A Square Dance would be held at the Memorial Hall on August 23. The Sunshine Valley Boys would perform and Osteen Lynch would call the sets.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Adair announced the birth of their son, Danny Wayne.

“Bowery Battlion,” starring Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall, and “Under Mexa Stars,” starring Rex Allan and Dale Patrick, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre.

“Along the Great Divide,” starring Kirk Douglas and Virginia Mayo, and “Killer Shark,” starring Roddy McDowall and Laurette Luez, were the Friday and Saturday night double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

August 23, 1962

A man was stabbed in the shoulder while sitting in Taylor’s Taxi and Café business on August 18, and cut in three places. The perpetrator, who was intoxicated when he came into the café and stabbed the victim without saying a word, was released on a $1,000 bond.

Tom Miles was named the new personnel manager at the Hohenwald Genesco plant.

Reverend Jack Sides resigned as pastor of the Hohenwald Methodist Church in order to accept a full time position as chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Speedy Mayfield, championship stunt driver, was scheduled to drive a burning car with only a crash helmet and a jacket, along with other stunts, at the Hohenwald Speedway on August 26.

James Zimmerman won first place in the two-year-old walking horse class of the Tennessee State Horse Show at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, TN.

Micky Meislohn won the annual Dickson Invitational Golf Tournament.

Mr. and Mrs. Dalon Whitwell announced the birth of their daughter, Gina Renee.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. W.N. Armstrong, 87; and for Sallie Roden, 73.

Piggly Wiggly advertised that they had rented part of Kittrell’s car lot so that there would “always be plenty of free and available parking for our customers.”

“Ride the Hige Country,” starring Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott; “Trouble in the Sky,” starring Michael Craig and Peter Cushing, and “Hand of Death,” starring John Agar and Paula Raymond, were the Friday and Saturday night triple feature shown at the Highlands Drive-In and at the Strand Theatre.

August 24, 1972

Lois Pennington was crowned 1972 Fairest of the Fair at the Lewis County Fair.

Youth winners at the Lewis County Fair included, Lee Hooper who won the boys sack race and Shirley Dabbs who won the girls race. Randy Robertson and Ricky Bullion won the boys egg throwing contest, and Shirley and Glenda Dabbs won the girls egg throwing contest.

Darlon Smith was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Women in America for 1972.

A Country Boy Horse Show was scheduled to be held at the Lewis County Bridle and Saddle Club on August 26.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Darden announced the birth of their daughter, DeAnna Kay.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Tutor celebrated their 50th anniversary with a buffet luncheon attended by family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Sadie Crowell, 76; and for Charles “Penny” Floyd, 64.

“Night of the Blood Monster,” starring Christopher Lee and Maria Schell, and “Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb,” starring Valerie Leon and Andrew Keir, were the Friday and Saturday night movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

August 26, 1982

Governor Lamar Alexander announced the approval of a $498,330 Community Development block grant for industrial park improvements in Hohenwald.

Local law enforcement confiscated 17 marijuana plants found growing on the old railroad bed near Hwy 48 South.

The Rural Fire Department of Lewis County announced that it had entered into an agreement with Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch and Jamboree Music Productions to sponsor a fund raising benefit to help purchase another fire truck to replace the older tanker. Ladies Auxiliary Civil Defense and Rural Fire Department would sell tickets to the Bluegrass Festival at Loretta Lynn’s. A portion of the ticket sales would be donated back to the Fire Department.

The Bible Quiz team from the First Pentecostal Church won the Bible Quiz Championship for the Tennessee District of the United Pentecostal Church. Team members Mitzi Austin and Greg Glover with coaches Gary and Marilyn Hensley would go to Salt Lake City to represent Tennessee in the North American Bible Quiz Tournament.

Hassell and Tommy Kelley earned a national Award for Excellence from Chrysler Corporation. Only about nine percent of all Chrysler dealers earn the award.

The Dixie Youth major league baseball team, sponsored by Glenn Woodall, attended a Nashville Sounds baseball game.

A Panasonic microwave oven demonstration was scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. at Chandler Furniture on August 27 with door prizes to be given away.

Bruce and Pam Holloway announced the birth of their son, Cody Brice.

“The Thing,” starring Kirk Russell, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

August 27, 1992

The Lewis County Sesquicentennial Committee announced a contest for a seal design to be used in connection with the 1993 Sesquicentennial Celebration in the county. $100 would be awarded to the created of the design selected.

Lewis County law enforcement arrested four persons in the Kimmins area on drug charges. Information had been received from a local landowner who believed marijuana was growing on his property. Two men were arrested on drug charges during a roadblock held on Frazier Ridge Road.

Donald Turner completed eight weeks in Washington, D.C. as a congressional intern on the staff of Congressman Bart Gordon.

Renovations were made at LCES and LCMS during the summer to make additional classrooms to handle the lower student/teacher ratio and to accommodate an expected increase in students. The old industrial arts building was converted to four classrooms, and other classrooms were partitioned to create additional rooms.

Kay Starling was the featured in the “Teacher Feature” column.

Crystal Potts competed in the Kid of America Pageant held in St. Louis, MO.

Mary Miller grew a watermelon in her garden weighing 27 pounds.

Funeral services were held for Jennie Ellis, 79; Emma Gantt, 79; Ila Mahon, 90.

McDonalds was scheduled to celebrate its first anniversary in Hohenwald on Saturday, August 29, 1992. Events included appearances by Grimace and the Hamburglar, four performances by Cowboy Louie, face painting, a balloon release, and free birthday cake and coffee.

The South Central Area Fair was scheduled to open on Monday, August 31 and run through Saturday, September 5, 1992. Admission was $5 and scheduled activities included free hot air balloon rides on Wednesday, bungee jumping with the first 32 jumpers being allowed to jump for free on Thursday, and the Forester Sisters in concert on Friday.

August 22, 2002

Dr. Kelly McQueen joined the medical staff at the Lewis Ambulatory Care Center.

Melissa Bradley was crowned Fairest of the Fair at the South Central Area Fair. Brianna Yarbro was crowned Junior Fairest of the Fair.

Allen Collins was the winner of the $10,000 give-away at the South Central Area Fair.

Retiring County Executive Terry Bunch presented certificates to all commissioners who had served during the past four years.

Vernalissi Walker won first place in a karoke contest held by Bigmamastudio.com in Seymour.

Bobby and Sara Runions announced the birth of their son, Dillan Wade.

Funeral services were held for Bonnie Hinson, 50; Lendal McDonald, 70; Billy Moore, 60; and for Mary Wiss, 92.

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.