Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

December 3, 1953

Construction began on a new mercury vapor street lighting system in the business section of Hohenwald and on portions of Park Avenue and Main Street. Fixtures replaced in the business section would be relocated to business section alleys. P.H. Tidwell, MLEC manager, stated that when completed, the system would be “one of the most modern of any small town in this vicinity.”

The Herald reported that work on the industrial factory building was “well underway” with foundation forms being placed within a few days.

Southern Bell Telephone Company reported that of the 50 million phones installed nation-wide, 580 telephones were in service in the Hohenwald Exchange.

Edna Baker and Horace Lawson were named county campaign directors for the Lewis County March of Dimes.

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Atkinson announced the birth of their daughter, Phyllis Kay.

Funeral services were held for L. Enoch Grimes, 77; and for Oliver Seiber, 71.

Lewiston Feed Company advertised a Grand Opening. The store was located across the highway from East Side Grocery and W. P. Grover & Sons Lumber Company and was operated by H. B. Grover, W. P. Grover, Jr., and Joe E. Lynch.

“Dangerous Crossing,” starring Jean Craine and Casey Adams, and “Topeka,” starring Wild Bill Elliott, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

December 5, 1963

The main headline for the week was “December 8th, Sabin Oral Sunday.” A county-wide mass polio immunization, was scheduled for December 8th. Residents who had already received inoculations with the Salk injection vaccine were encouraged to take the Sabin oral vaccine.

Sam Seigel, president of Henry I. Seigel Co., Inc, received a special Treasury certificate from Governor Frank G. Clement in recognition of “patriotic service in strengthening the nation and its citizens through the United States Savings Bond Program.”

Mr. and Mrs. Guy Nicholson announced the birth of their daughter, Amy Lou.

Dollie Cox was honored for her 80th birthday with a celebration held by her children and grandchildren.

Funeral services were held for Laura Craig, 69; Maude Fielder, 89; Marion Jackson, 93; John Massey, 56; and for John Ray, 85.

Advertised specials this week at Piggly Wiggly included oork roast for $0.29 a pound, a four-pound bag of pinto or Great Northern beans for $0.39, a pound of Folgers coffee for $0.69, and a three-pound bag of pecans cost $1.00.

“Call Me Bwana,” starring Bob Hope, and “Beauty and the Beast,” starring Joyce Taylor and Mark Damon, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

December 6, 1973

Heavy rain fall of 8.12 inches caused thousands of dollars of damage to roads and bridges in Lewis County, with approximately 35 bridges impassible throughout the county.

The Tennessee Public Service Commissioner petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to intervene on behalf of Hickman, Dickson, and Lewis counties following the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company’s petition to abandon rail line in said counties.

Two youth were arrested following a break-in at the Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company.

Adonis Creel was elected worshipful master for the Hohenwald Mason Lodge.

Marty and Bill Kittrell attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Mt. Pleasant with a score of 62 to 60 and Linden with a score of 62 to 58. Randy Carroll led the team in scoring in the Mt. Pleasant game with 21 points and in the game against Linden with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The LCHS Pantherettes defeated Mt. Pleasant with a score of 54 to 50. Susie Davis led the team in scoring with 26 points.

The following births were announced: Anna Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hall; Walter Christian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Himes; and Beverly Sue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Pulley.

Funeral services were held for Jessie Miller, 3 months; Mrs. Haute Loveless, 92; Laura Russell, 69; and for Edna Whitehead, 65.

“Wild Wheels,” starring Don Epperson and Robert Dix, and “The Young, the Evil, and the Savage,” starring Michael Rennie and Mark Damon, were the Friday and Saturday movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In.

December 8, 1983

Ray Frederick was named Grand Marshall of the 1983 Christmas parade. The parade route would travel from Fourth Street north on Park Avenue to Smith Street, west on Smith to Court Street, and south on Court to Hohenwald Elementary.

First Citizens Bank announced the forthcoming introduction of Hohenwald’s first automatic teller machine, which would be located on a walk-up facility under construction at the branch property on West Main Street.

Gladys Roden was presented a trophy for Outstanding Achievement in membership retention for the Girl Scouts program in Lewis County.

The LCHS Panthes defeated Loretto with a score of 70 to 67. Tim Cotham led the team in scoring with 20 points and 6 rebounds.

The Lady Panthers defeated Brentwood High with a score of 68 to 57. Kim Sublett led the team in scoring with 16 points and 7 assists. They also defeated Loretto with a score of 65 to 44. Kathy Dye was the top scorer for the team with 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Ethel Holt was honored on her 91st birthday with a dinner held at the home of daughter and son-in-law.

Funeral services were held for George Burns, 85; Betty Thompson, 60; and for James Wallace, 56.

“Dead Zone” and “Night School” were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

December 9, 1993

Catherine Davis was the Grand Marshall for the 1993 Christmas parade.

LCHS football players Wesley Duncan and Randal Hankins were named to the class 2A Tennessean All-Middle Tennessee football team. Wesley Duncan, Randal Hankins, Bubba Hall, Barry Kilpatrick, and Brian Norton were named to the All-Region 6-2AA team.

LCHS head football coach Bobby Sharp was selected as the Tennessean All-Middle Tennessee Coach with an 8-4 record, advancing the Panthers to the second round of state playoffs. At the time of the award, Sharp had a career record of 38-29.

An article ran on Lee Burklow who played a key role in the Freed-Hardeman University Lion’s basketball team’s 6 to 1 start.

Collin Townsend was named King, in his age division, at the Perry County Beauty Pageant.

Renee Meredith was featured in the weekly “Teacher Feature” column.

The LCMS Raiders basketball team defeated Lobelville 57 to 17 at the Centerville Christmas Tournament.

Funeral services were held for Lois Ayers, 76; Millard Frazier, 78; Billy Harris, 53; and for Brenda Reno, 31.

Fischer’s bologna was on sale at Cee Bee Food Express for $0.99 a pound, and sliced slab bacon was $0.89 a pound.

December 11, 2003

The main headline for the week was “What’s The Hold Up On 412 East?!” Delays continued in the construction of a four lane highway from Hohenwald to Mt. Pleasant.

District Attorney General Ronald L. Davis was featured in the “A Closer Look…” column.

The Elephant Sanctuary came to the aid of Delhi, an Asian elephant confiscated by the USDA from the Hawthorn Corporation.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Marshall County with a score of 56 to 41. Luke Curfman was the lead scorer with 17 points, five rebounds, and one blocked shot.

Kendra Bates was named LCMS Student of the Week.

Justin Morton was named to Freed-Hardeman’s Homecoming Court.

Former 2002 LCHS Homecoming Queen Shanika Hatton would participate in the AXA Liberty Bowl Football Classic Parade in Memphis. The parade would be aired on ESPN.

The City of Hohenwald recognized the following employees with service awards: Jerry Hensley, 30 years; and Billy Roden, 10 years.

The following births were announced: Jaxon Lee, son of Randy and Pam Mercer; and Ashlyn Nicole, daughter of Darren and Jennifer Cameron.

Funeral services were held for Shirley Freeman, 66; Thelma Grinder, 94; and for Martha Moore, 58.

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.