Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

June 4, 1953

Word was received that Private James R. Mayberry had been seriously wounded in Korea.

The Trace Creek Road, connecting Highway 48 and Highway 20 was completed and open for traffic.

Jerry Fite was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Boyce Tatum completed advanced training at Fort Jackson, SC.

John Davis was undergoing Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base.

Eddie Baker was discharged from the Navy.

The Lewis County Board of Education was accepting bids for the purchase of one house formerly belonging to Clyde Pace.

Funeral services were held for Edward Akers, 72; and for Sallie Lomax, 76.

“The Raiders,” starring Richard Conte and Viveca Lindfors, and “Loose in London,” starring Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

“Battles of Chief Pontiac,” starring Lex Barker and Lon Chaney, Jr., and “Yukon Manhunt,” starring Kirby Grant, Gail Davis and Chinook the Wonder Dog, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theater.

In statewide news: a committee of the State Education Department reported that marriage among high school students had become an increasingly serious problem in the last few years.

June 6, 1963

Former resident Major Joseph Goodman left Southern Illinois campus for a year of duty in Vietnam.

Jimmy Barber, A.B. Sisco, Jr., and J.W. Turnbow, Jr. received varsity letters in golf at Austin Peay State College for their outstanding play last spring.

Mrs. C.R. Bell and Timothy Bell were honored with a going away dinner at the home of Miss Annie Pace. The Bells left for an extensive vacation through the western U.S. and into Canada.

E. Guy Hoover was honored on his birthday with a surprise party given at White’s Café.

The following births were announced: Maury, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maury Johnston; and Andre, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Porter.

Funeral services were held for Robert Ghist, 57.

Advertised specials this week at Piggly Wiggly included cantaloupes at the price of $0.25 each and Campbell’s tomato soup for $0.10 a can.

“Party Girl,” starring Robert Taylor and Cyd Charisse, and “The First Texan,” starring Joel McCrea, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatre.

June 7, 1973

Henry Steele assumed the duties of MLEC manager. He replaced Paul Tidwill who had retired after 34 years of service.

Kenneth Kistler, LCES Principal, was presented a Mary Osterday painting by Dave Mason, president of the local Art League and M. Scott Osterday, art instructor at the school.

The following girls were crowned as Baseball Queens at Dixie Youth ceremonies held on June 1st: Lisa Ammons, Diane Fite, Kenya Roden, and Belinda Spears.

Specialist Four Billy D. Sharp was honored as the 101st Airborne Division’s Soldier of the Month for March 1973.

Girl Scout Troop 1037 went on a camping trip to Meriwether Lewis Park.

A surplus of rainfall during the month of May caused problems for residents. A total of 13.09 inches were recorded in May which was 9.04 inches above the long-term average for the month.

Mrs. Robert Johnson entertained with a tea on June 1st to honor Mrs. C. W. Evans of Gateshead, England, who was visiting here.

Cucumbers were two for $0.39 at Baxter’s Bestway. A six-ounce package of red radishes cost $0.12 at McClearen’s IGA.

Funeral services were held for Napoleon Gregg, 54; Eugene Parlante, 24; and for Nell Whidby, 53.

“Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” starring Angela Landsbury, and “Bad Company,” starring Jeff Bridges, were the weekend movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In.

June 9, 1983

Roland Kemberlen, Senior Vice-President of Henry I. Siegel Company announced that the Hohenwald H.I.S. plant that closed on February 1st, would re-open and manufacture Chic jeans. Company benefits would be picked up, including annual leave and seniority to all former employees of the plant returning to work. All former employees would be recalled to work within the next few months, and approximately 200 additional employees would be hired.

Jimmy Miller, senior member of the LCHS baseball team, was selected to play in the 1983 Class A Mid-State Senior All-Star game.

Everett Dyer was presented one of ten Professional Gulf Oil Conservation Awards at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Mike Eaves of Dickson was named youth director at First Baptist Church.

The following Lewis County residents won first place in a twirling contest held in Kentucky: Tina Bonneville, Alaina Carroll, Amanda Carroll, Melissa Reeves, Dana West, and Misty Whitehead.

The following births were announced: Brandon Lee, son of Brad and Renee Pace; and James Daniel, Michael Edward, and Julie Nicole, triplets of Lester and Judy Hinson.

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hardy celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception held at the Hohenwald Primitive Baptist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Scott were honored on their 25th wedding anniversary with a reception at their home hosted by their children.

“The Outsiders,” starring Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

June 10, 1993

The Lewis County Sesquicentennial Committee announced that a dedication of the gazebo built in Wihelm Tell Platz would be held on July 3rd. A parade was also planned as part of the festivities.

Fred E. Lomax American Legion Post 127, along with co-sponsor Dana Corporation, fielded an American Legion baseball team in Hohenwald for the first time since 1952.

Johnie E. Davis, Tennessee Department of Transportation employee, was presented with an award for 40 years of service to the state government by Governor Ned McWherter.

The local manager of MLEC was arrested on charges of manufacturing marijuana for the purpose of resale.

LCES teacher Betsy Tiller was named an Outstanding Teacher at an awards banquet held at UT Martin.

Justin Stovall won first alternate in the Karen’s Dance Academy USA Pageant in Perry County. He competed in the 0-23 month old category.

The following births were announced: Colton Pete, son of Mike and Angie Whitwell; Emily Loren, daughter of Jeffery and Rebecca Davis; and Gerald Andrew II, son of Gerald and Paralee Hobbs.

Funeral services were held for Hershel Gordon, 73; Ada Hayes, 86; James Carroll, Jr., 72; Buster Sales, 71; and for Alma Spears, 96.

June 5, 2003

Tim Webb, Director of Lewis County Schools, accepted the position of Assistant Commissioner of Resources and Support service with the Tennessee Department of Education.

A FEMA mobile disaster recovery center would visit Lewis County on June 6.

Martha Angie Rasbury had a story about her parents’ churn selected for publication in the June 2003 issue of Reminisce Extra magazine.

The City of Hohenwald was initiating a clean-up campaign within the city limits and asked for residents to assist with improving the appearance of their commercial and residential areas.

Lester Bartley was awarded the Male Athlete of the Year Award at the South Central Tennessee District Senior Games closing ceremony.

Bobby Clift was selected to play in the 7th annual Tennessee Shrine Bowl East-West All-Star Classic on June 28th.

The following births were announced: Jaden Mack, son of Jimmy and Laura Grantham; David Caine, son of Russell and Alisha Mayberry; Summer Dawn, daughter of Richard and Mary Malbon; and Ashlee-Lynn, daughter of William and Tammy Scott.

Funeral services were held for Eirva Hurst, 97; Ottie Rodgers, 90; and for Jerry Trull, 39.

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.