Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

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, 1982 with door prizes to be given away.

The following births were announced: Cody Brice, son of Bruce and Pam Holloway; and Philip Charles, son of Fred and Patricia Pero.

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

August 28, 1952

City Marshal Joe Fite warned all motorists that the speed limit of 15 mph must be observed through the school zone, and that he and other policemen would see that this limit was enforced.

A mobile x-ray unit from the Division of Tuberculosis Control, TN Dept. of Public Health, was scheduled to be in Hohenwald September 2nd through 5th.

Rodney Floied was serving aboard the USS Consolation which was scheduled to return to the United States after 10 months in Korean waters.

Claude Bates, Jr., James Jones, and Paul Wise, USN, were all three serving aboard the USS Wisconsin.

J.B. King advertised that his blacksmith shop, located on Park Ave. N., was for sale, and could be purchased privately any time prior to September 20th at 1 p.m., at which time it would be sold to the highest bidder.

“Kit Carson,” starring John Hall and Lynn Barl, and “Private Snuffy Smith,” starring Bud Duncan and Edgar Kennedy, were the Friday and Saturday double feature showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

“The Sell Out,” starring Walter Pidgeon and Audrey Totter, and “Rogue River,” starring Rory Calhoun and Peter Graves, were the Friday and Saturday double feature showing at the Strand Theatre.

August 29, 2002

Ricky Grayson pled guilty to felony murder and attempted felony murder and was sentenced to life in prison for the killing Hohenwald Police Officer Alan Ragsdale in November 2000.

Lewis Ambulatory Care Center was recognized for placing in the top 96 percentile of the nation for patient satisfaction.

Marisa Bryant and her four-year-old spotted saddle horse, ‘Tied into Colors,’ qualified to compete in the Under World Grand Championship in the Open Shod Youth riders 11 and under class.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Moore County with a score of 51 to 14.

Vernalissi Walker was honored for her 30th birthday with a celebration attended by family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Betty Asbury, 68; Odell Ashmore, 74; Marion Brackeen, Jr., 94;Wilton Furhman, 67; Robert Self, 59; and for Finis Spears, 95.

August 30, 1962

Mayor W. C. Keaton signed a proclamation designating September 1, 1962 as “Housing and Redevelopment Day” in Hohenwald.

Ground was broken for the construction of the new Lewis County Hospital. It was expected that the 32 bed capacity hospital would be completed in six months.

A driver lost control of a car on Swan Avenue, leaving the road and hitting a utility pole. Electricity was out for approximately one hour.

Jerry Holt was commended for his part in winning an award in communications excellence for the tank landing ship USS Windham County.

Ray Whitehead participated with more than 70,000 Army and Air Force personnel in Exercise Swift Strike II.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1814 announced it would hold a drive to obtain additional wheelchairs and sickroom equipment to supplement its “loan closet” which would be available to any resident of the county, veteran or not, without charge.

Reverend Ben Stringer, of the First Baptist Church in Hohenwald, would give a devotional on Centerville radio station WHLP during the week of September 3. The devotional would be broadcast each morning at 10:45.

Funeral services were held for Frank Voorhies, 91.

Highlands Drive-In published a notice “by order of insurance regulations” that parking or trespassing on the theatre grounds would be prohibited during racing days as several vehicles have been damaged when wheels came off race cars and roared through the theatre grounds.

“Saddle the Wind,” starring Robert Taylor and Julie London; and “the Horizontal Lieutenant,” starring Jim Hutton and Paula Prentiss were the Friday and Saturday night movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In and at the Strand Theatre.

August 31, 1972

Humberto Florian, M.D., opened offices at the Lewis County Hospital. He specialized in general surgery, but would also be in general medical practice.

Mrs. J.H. Warf, Superintendent, announced that the Board of Education set Tuesday, September 05 the as the date for the opening of schools for the fall term.

A teenager was seriously injured after climbing a TVA transmission line tower on Centerville Hwy and accidently touching the volt line.

The Lewis County Civic Club voted not to have the annual club horse show due to new federal laws regarding soreing.

Dennis Gowder, who retired June 30 as Lewis County Soil Conservationist, was honored with a retirement recognition dinner held at David Crockett Park.

Jackie Holt completed nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training at the Army Infantry Training Center at Ft. Polk, LA.

James Rhinehart completed a 12-week fuel and electrical systems repair course at the Army Ordinance Center and School.

The following births were announced: Randal Lee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie James; Bobbie Jean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lannie Crowe; Stephanie Nicole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Pope; Jonathan Paul, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lynch; and Stacy Marie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bell.

Mrs. W. B. Carroll was honored for her birthday with a dinner hosted by her children.

Funeral services were held for Maude Pace, 85; and for Parxie Williams, 64.

“Shoot Out,” starring Gregory Peck, and “Deep End,” starring Jane Asher, were the Friday and Saturday night movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

September 03, 1992

City and county law enforcement officers had a rash of calls concerning cattle that were roaming at large. One cow visited LCMS and gave both teachers and students a scare when it looked into a classroom and mooed at students. Motorists at night also had to deal with this problem.

ABC Home Health organized a drive to help the victims of Hurricane Andrew. $15,000-$20,000 of merchandise ranging from personal items, baby items, food, and clothes were taken on September 2, 1992 in two Tennessee National Guard trucks donated by the Guard with gas and drivers to south Florida.

Jane Rodriguez, of Hohenwald, won the Senior Division of the Fairest of the Fair and Christy Lomax, of Perry County, won the Junior Division.

June Thompson was featured in the weekly Teacher Feature column.

Donald Turner was inducted into the Order of Gownsmen at the University of the South at Sewanee on August 31.

Rodger Runions was chosen as Man of the Week at LCMS.

Garrick Couch, Stephany Lyell, Emily Rawdon, and Shelly Tanner of Blondy Church of God won, for the second year in a row, the Bible Quiz championship at Nacome Youth Camp.

Dr. Roger Bouldin visited the fifth grade class taught by Sue Sharp on September 01, 1992. He talked to the children about how it was to grow up 70 years ago.

Approximately 405 competitors from ten states participated in the 12 annual Hohenwald Open Karate Championship on August 29. There were 120 divisions with 360 trophies awarded.

The following births were announced: Tiffany Renee, daughter of Michael and Tracy Hodge; Ashlyn Brooke, daughter of Glen and Jennifer Tanner; and Staci Lyn, daughter of David and Joyce Lubeck.

Funeral services were held for Leonard Ashworth, 53; Annie Bates, 46, and for David Pirkle, 45.

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.