Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past By Crystal Nash

January 29, 1954

Representatives from Southern Bell reported that telephones in Hohenwald, as well as, throughout Tennessee increased materially during 1953. The number of telephones in service in Hohenwald increased by 50 in 1953.

The Lewis County Civic Club announced the following projects as their goals for 1954: a swimming pool, natural gas, a recreation program for young people, and the rebuilding of State Hwy 20.

Mrs. George Davis, Sr. was honored for her birthday with a surprise dinner hosted by her children.

Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a gathering of relatives and friends at their home.

Funeral services were held for John Durham, 80; Wamer Poore, 60; and for Lloyd Willis, 49.

Advertised specials this week at U-Tote-‘Em Super Market included fresh ground beef for the price of three pounds for $1.00, a ten pound bag of sugar for $0.99, and a half gallon of milk for $0.39.

“Murder Without Tears,” starring Craig Stevens and Joyce Holden, and “Barb Wire,” starring Gene Autry, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

In area news: Lawrenceburg police arrested four men from Napier who were caught attempting to steal gasoline from a parked truck.

January 30, 1964

Jane Ann Adcox participated in the “Fairest of the Fair” pageant held at the 42nd Annual Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention in Nashville.

The Mothers March on Polio conducted a canvas of Hohenwald to raise funds for the annual March of Dimes of Campaign.

John Bennett was stationed in Japan aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk.

Maggie Porter was honored for her 80th birthday with a celebration held at the home of her daughter.

Funeral services were held for Albert Hargrove, 76; Myrtle Leigh, 63; Andy Lomax, 82; Edward Kappeler, 75.

Reeves Sausage Company advertised chickens on sale for the price of twenty-four and a half cents per pound, bologna for twenty-three and a half cents per pound, and fresh ribs for twenty-nine and a half cents per pound.

“Rock-a-Bye Baby,” starring Jerry Lewis and Marilyn Maxwell, and “Twist Around the Clock,” starring Chubby Checker and Vicki Spencer were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

January 31, 1974

The City of Hohenwald released an architect’s drawing of the new City Hall to be constructed on the corner of West Linden Street and Oak Street.

Larry Dorning received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Memphis State University of Law.

Maurice Burgess was recognized by Tennessee Farm Bureau for meeting qualifications for the 1973 President’s Club.

The Webelos Den of Cub Scout Pack 322 of Hohenwald visited the Hunstville Space Center.

Randall Bullion enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Advertised specials this week at Piggly Wiggly included a five-pound bag of oranges for $0.75, a box of Zesta crackers for $0.49, and pork chops at the price of $0.99 a pound.

“Invasion of the Bee Girls” and “They Only Kill Their Masters” were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

February 2, 1984

A survey conducted at the City of Hohenwald landfill determined that 15 tons of garbage was deposited in the landfill per day.

Lawrence Bromley was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Dallas, Texas Police Department for willingly encountering danger at a much greater level than what is normally expected in an already dangerous job.

David Jackson was appointed to serve as clerk in the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 1984 session of the General Assembly.

Kevin Ferguson was commissioned an Army second lieutenant.

Michael Hodge enlisted in the Army and was receiving basic training at Fort Dix, NJ.

Howard Spears was elected president of the Board of Directors for the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Battle Ground Academy with a score of 58 to 42 and Waynesboro with score of 58 to 43. Jill Tharp led the team in scoring against BGA with 15 points. Kathy Dye was the top scorer for the team with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 recoveries.

The following births were announced: William Travis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Bunch; and Dustin Lance, son of Jerry and Martha Holt.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Galloway celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception at the Buffalo Valley United Methodist Church fellowship room.

Funeral services were held for Charles Melton, 59; and for Grover Neeley, 68.

“Flashdance,” starring Jennifer Beals, and “Staying Alive,” starring John Travolta, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

February 3, 1994

The main headline for the week was “18 Month-Old Child Seriously Injured in Fire.” A small child was seriously injured in a mobile home fire.

The City of Hohenwald announced that the city landfill would be closed in six months’ time; the approximate cost of closing the landfill would be $286,000.

The Lewis County Civil Defense was called to clean up a gas spill in Piney Creek. An employee of Weeks Oil Company drained two 55 gallon drums into an underground storage container that leaked gas into the Mill Street drainage system which flows into Piney Creek. A private citizen called Channel 4 News in Nashville who notified Mayor Guy Nicholson of the problem. Mayor Nicholson, in turn, activated the Civil Defense to clean up the spill.

The Lewis County Sesquicentennial Committee announced the publication of a pictorial history of Lewis County. Monies from the sale of the books would be used to place a roof on the gazebo at Wilhelm Tellplatz.

Kim Hudgins was featured in the “Teacher Feature” column.

The following births were announced: Joshua Lanis, son of Lanis and Wanda Garrison; Samantha Marie, daughter of Elvis and Illien Hammack; and Haylee Rae, daughter of Allen and Cindy Trull.

Funeral services were held for A. G. Ashley, 66; Carl Baker, 85; Roy Hargrave, 62; Nancy Hendrix, 98; and for Edith Trull, 82.

January 29, 2004

County Mayor Kenneth Turnbow signed a proclamation naming January 25 through 31 as School Board Appreciation Week.

A settlement of a sheriff versus Hickman County Government caught the notice of some Lewis County citizens. The Hickman County Sheriff filed a lawsuit for the county’s failure to provide salaries to hire six additional deputies. Similarly, Lewis County Sheriff Dewayne Kilpatrick filed a lawsuit against Lewis County Government for the provision of equalization of salaries and benefits and for the additional hiring of new deputies.

Over 70 people attended a reorganization meeting for the Civil Air Patrol.

Don Meredith of the Hohenwald Utility Department and Bobby McCann of the Hohenwald Street and Sanitation Department were featured in the “A Closer Look…” column.

A letter sent to Mayor Bob Burklow from Staff Sgt. Jim Runions in Kuwait was published. The letter expressed thanks to the citizens for their support of the 771st Maintenance Company.

Vincent Flynn received a Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained near Pygongyang, North Korea in 1950. Flynn was assisted by Congressman Lincoln Davis and Edd Sharp in obtaining the medal.

Keith Mash retired from MLEC after 33 years of service.

Faye Holt retired from Hohenwald City Hall after 20 years of service.

Justin Calvert was named LCMS Student of the Week.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Marshall County with a score of 49 to 44. Allyson Brewer was the leading scorer for the team with 15 points and 2 rebounds.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Marshall County with a score of 58 to 35. Jeff Sparkman led the scoring with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 blocked shot. The Panthers defeated Loretto with a score of 52 to 35. Jeff Sparkman was the top scorer for the team with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots.

Jason and Laretta Duncan announced the birth of their daughter, Reese Victoria.

Lockie Sharp was honored for her 90th birthday with a celebration held at the Hohenwald Housing Authority.

Funeral services were held for Robert Fuhrman, 73; and for Revis Hobbs, 91.

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.