Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past By Crystal Nash

April 8, 1954

The Herald reported that a “good headway” was made on the new factory building under construction in town, with half of the concrete for the floor poured. It was hoped that the building would be completed by mid-summer and that “Breezy” Wynn would begin his operations before fall.

More construction workers were arriving daily in connection of the laying of a gas pipeline through Lewis County.

Sam Bates advertised a $10 reward for the finder of his missing blue parakeet that could say “Hello Sweetie, give me a kiss” and “pretty boy.”

The following General Shoe employees were recognized for ten years of service: Fannie Carroll, Eva Harris, Gertrude Roth, and Irene Voorhies.

Reverend H.H. Bixler, Celia Broadway, Josephine Warf were honored for their birthdays with a dinner held by Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Sisco.

Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Humphreys, Sr. celebrated their 50th anniversary with a surprise party held at the home of their son, D. D. Jr.

Funeral services were held for Elias Fite, 90; and for Barbara York, 71.

A 9.5 cubic feet Admiral refrigerator cost $299.95 at Wallace Poor Appliance Company. A 10.3 cubic feet Frigidaire Cycla-matic refrigerator cost $429.95 at Kittrell Appliance Company.

“Loose in London,” starring Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys, and “Wagon Team,” starring Gene Autry, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre. Red Garrett, the “Nation’s Top Hillbilly Impersonator” and his Tennessee Valley Gang along Milton Estes were scheduled to appear in person at the theater on April 15th.

April 9, 1964

Bertha Ashton of the Lewis County Red Cross reported that 146 pints of blood was donated when the Red Cross Bloodmobile visited on April 1st.

John Schultz completed eight weeks of advanced Army infantry training at Fort Polk, Louiisanna.

An article was reprinted from the February 8, 1948 issue of the Nashville Tennessean titled “Lewis County Pioneer Merged 2 Villages To Develop Friendly Town of Hohenwald.”

The following births were announced: Kenda Marie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Lawson; Shaw Gerald, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Lewallen; and Eddie Wayne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Carroll.

Hohenwald Dry Cleaners advertised that they had secured the Strand Theatre lot and made a side door into their business so that customers could drop off or pick up clothing without having to leave their car.

Funeral services were held for James Bryson, 71; John A. Carroll; Fannie Conner, 61; and for James Pace, 39.

“The Old Dark House,” starring Tom Poston, and “Tarzan the Ape Man,” starring Denny Miller, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

April 11, 1974

A total of $1,036.72 was collected during the Lewis County Palm Sunday paper sale. Monies collected would be used at the children’s hospital in Nashville.

Sam Cothran and Karen Smith attended 4-H Congress in Nashville.

Randall Bullion graduated from recruit training at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FL.

Glen Ammons was recognized for 20 years’ service with the State Employment Security Department.

The Lewis County Civic Club was offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons responsible for shooting at Lewis County Hospital.

The following births were announced: Theresa Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brasfield; Marcus Alan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Graves; and Barry Wayne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Garry Treadwell.

Super D Discount Drugs held its grand opening. Items specially priced for their opening included 15 bars of Jergens soap for $1.00, three cans of Aqua Net hairspray for $1.00; Wilkinson stainless steel shaving blades for $0.39, a Polaroid Square Shooter 2 land camera for $19.88, and a pocket portable AM radio for $1.99.

The Snip Snap Bite Restaurant advertised that it would re-open on April 11 under the new management of Harold W. Smith.

Funeral services were held for Bessie Jackson, 78; Mrs. Statter Jones, 76; Melissa Rosson, 84; and for Richard Scott.

“Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” starring James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson, and “Swinging Models,” starring Angel Wehbec and Ingrid Steeger were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

April 12, 1984

City Mayor Guy Nicholson signed a proclamation naming April 1984 as Fair Housing Month.

Sea Gull Manufacturing signed a lease-purchase agreement on the former bowling alley property with the intent to open up a clothing manufacturing plant.

The Lewis County Commission approved the application for two grants to the State which would allow the runway at the John A. Baker airport to be extended by 1,000 feet with a 1,000 feet approach.

Betty Nutt was named Home Economics Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Home Economics Association.

Kathryn Schwendimann was crowned Little Miss Lewis County and Barry LaRue, Jr. was crowned Little Mister Lewis County in the 5-7 age group of the Little Miss and Mister Contest held by the Lewis County Jaycees on April 8, 1984. Britany Woodall and Brandon Harris were crowned Little Miss and Mister Lewis County in the 2-4 age group category.

The Lewis County Department of Human services announced it was moving to a new location at 32 East Main Street. April 13 would be the last day business would be conducted at 119 North Park Avenue.

Bailey Wheeler was honored for his 75th birthday with a surprise dinner at his home.

Funeral services were held for Sarah Armstrong, 70; Janie Leighton, 9; and for C.F. McCarty.

“Footloose,” starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

April 14, 1994

Tennessee Treasures, a traveling exhibit from the Tennessee State Museum, would be open in Hohenwald on April 18 and 19.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department announced that an open house would be held at the new Sheriff’s Department and Jail located on Swan Avenue. The event was scheduled for Sunday, April 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Mike Kinnard was selected by his peers as the 1993-94 LCHS Teacher of the Year.

The LCHS baseball team defeated Giles County with a score of 12 to 3. Jason Herring pitched ten strike-outs, allowing only three hits.

Tony Estes was named as Assistant Extension Agent in Lewis County.

The following people retired from Dana Corporation in Hohenwald: George Lowe, 27 years of service; Danny Swaw, 27 years of service, and Neoma Whitehead, 26 years of service.

Greg Mullinicks was featured in the Teacher Feature column.

Darlene Pevahouse was promoted in the Navy to the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class.

Patrick Reeves and Adam Talley attended 4-H Congress in Nashville.

William and Sherry Stovall announced the birth of their son, Matthew Kyle.

Claudia Anderson was honored for her 98th birthday with a party held by the Older Adults from the First Methodist Church.

Bessie Edwards was honored for her birthday with a celebration attended by friends and family.

Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Page celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception held at the home of their daughter and son-in-law.

Funeral services were held for Edna Barnes, 60; Melville Kelly, 43; and for Thomas White, 71.

April 9, 2004

The City of Hohenwald was working to rectify numerous issues throughout the city water system that was causing over one million gallons of water to be lost each day. Worn out meters, old steel pies that had rusted, and other valve and pipe issues were reported to be the cause of water issues.

Approximately 130 people attended the spring reopening of the Lewis County Museum of Local and Natural History. Kassie Purkey was the recipient of a bicycle given away during the Wild Spring Safari at the museum reopening.

General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn were featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

The Swiss/American “Alpenroesli” Chorus of Hohenwald was looking for additional members to help in carrying on a singing tradition over 100 years old.

The following births were announced: Shaylan Brooke, daughter of Jeff and Melissa Barber; Hailey Marie, daughter of Joseph Clark III and Michelle Brown; Payton O’Dell, son of O’Dell and Ashley Tripp; and Mercedeze Grace, daughter of Christina Hudgins.

Doris James was honored for her 70th birthday with a celebration held at the Memorial Park Community Building.

Funeral services were held for Athena Coone, 25; Katie Haymer, 87; Carolyn Marlin, 73; and for Mary Massey, 69.

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.