Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

May 6, 1954

Mayor W.C. Keaton was a speaker on the program of the Tennessee Municipal League’s 15th annual convention at Nashville. Keaton would participate in a debate on whether small municipalities should undertake to subsidize industries to obtain new factories needed for continued growth and prosperity.

Robert Lee Wiggins and Kenny Graves were selected as LCHS winners in the MLEC essay.

The 1954 LCHS Senior Class took a three-day trip to the Lookout Mountains.

The American Legion Post 127 announced that they would sponsor a Donkey Baseball game on May 14 at the LCHS football field.

The following births were announced: Allan Sidney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arelus Dye; Marsha Jean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Smith; William Andrew, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Evans; and Larry Leon, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Hardiman.

Funeral services were held for Reverend Charles Galloway, 77.

“Fort Algiers,” starring Yvonne DeCarlo and Carlos Thompson, and “Border City Rustlers,” starring Guy Madison, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

May 7, 1964

Paul Bridges was named valedictorian of the 1964 LCHS Senior Class. Claudia Ricketts was named salutatorian.

ROTC Cadet Prentice Bennett was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Bennett was an 11th grade student at Columbia Military Academy.

Frank Poor and Cecil Grimes were victorious over Cecil Floyd and Penny Floyd in the Lewis County Rook Tournament. Due to illness, Bobby Herrin and J.D. Cogburn forfeited to W.C. Amacher and Billy Grimes. According to Frank Poore, Amacher and B. Grimes forfeited to Poore and C. Grimes, putting Poore and Grimes in the finals. Ray Grimes and Leo Schwendimann won a match against Claude Ricketts and Bob Harwood.

Bobby Clayton completed advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, LA.

Charles Woolridge graduated from the technical training course for plumbing specialists at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX.

The following births were announced: Rhonda Annette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Long; and Barbara Elaine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Phelan.

Annie Pace was honored for her birthday with a three-course dinner held at the home of Mrs. C. R. Bell.

Funeral services were held for Bessie Bates, 74; and for William Laxton.

Hohenwald Speedway advertised races every Sunday with time trials at 1:30 and races at 2:30. Admission was $1 for adults, children under 12 were admitted free if accompanied by parents, children not accompanied by parents were charged $0.50 admission.

“Who’s Minding the Store?,” starring Jerry Lewis, and “Sword of the Conqueror,” starring Jack Palance, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

May 9, 1974

Thirteen piano students of Mrs. Graves performed in the National Piano Playing Auditions held at Columbia State Community College. All made superior ratings with a span of 93 to 97 percent. The students were Darron Casteel, Tara Dobbins, Becky Dunn, Jennifer Falkner, Melanie Grimes, Rheatta Kelley, Gerri Mayberry, Shirley Pope, David Rochelle, Nancy Sharpe, Carla Staggs, Brenda Talley, and Glenda Talley.

Ronald Smith was promoted to the rank of Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class.

The following births were announced: Katrina Sue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Adkins; and Brian Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Stephens.

J.S. Seiber was honored on his 60th birthday with a surprise supper held by family and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Dutch Clayton were honored on their 25th wedding anniversary with a reception at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Clayton.

Armstrong’s Bakery advertised decorated cakes for Mother’s Day, “decorated beautifully with delicious frosting with one dozen pink sweetheart roses or a spring bouquet of flowers.” Prices ranged from $5 to $8.

Funeral services were held for Roxie Dyer, 73; Julia Fraley, 74; and for James Spann.

“Deaf Smith and Johnny Ears,” starring Anthony Quinn and Franco Nero, and “The Amazons,” starring Alena Johnston and Angelo Infanti, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

May 10, 1984

W.T. Rasbury, Lewis County Executive, cut the ribbon to officially open the Money Belt 24-Hour Teller at First Citizens Branch Bank on May 03. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Kimble were the first customers to use the ATM machine.

The State of Tennessee awarded Lewis County Airport grants totaling $600,000 for improvements including the extension of the runway and construction of a hangar with terminal.

Randal Leighton was elected president of the Lewis County Jaycees.

The following births were announced: Michael Brian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Grant; Abigail Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson, Jr.; and Jamie Lea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor.

Funeral services were held for Guy Mash, 60; Sophia Mitchell, 96; and for Charles Rochelle, 73.

“Scarface,” starring Al Pacino, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

May 12, 1994

The 1994 Maifest was rescheduled for May 14 due to rain on the previous weekend.

Nick Ramey was named the new administrator at Lewis County Manor.

Vandals broke twelve windows at the local h.i.s. plant. Damage to the building was estimated at $150.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a new worship center at First Baptist Church in Hohenwald on May 01.

Patty Hedge and Marjorie Graves were awarded a certificate of merit by the Tennessee Historical Commission for compiling and publishing a Pictorial History of Lewis County.

Evan Ward, a member of the LCHS tennis team, competed in the District 15 semi-finals held in Columbia on May 04. Ward played Kamel Patel of Columbia Academy, winning the match 2-6, 6-2, and 7-6. Ward advanced to the District 15 finals on May 11, where he defeated Blake Malone of Columbia Central, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6.

Lincoln Dabbs was one of 120 high school seniors across the State that was named to the Tennessee Honors Class of 1994 by State Education Commissioner Wayne Qualls.

Cathy Kavara was featured in the “Teacher Feature” column.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree Dokes reported for duty aboard the USS Dixon.

Tiffany Battles won first place in the Mother’s Day Essay Contest sponsored by Wal-Mart Pharmacy of Hohenwald. Roseanna Rodgers placed second, and Brock Spears placed third.

The following births were announced: Kyle Paige, daughter of Dennis and Gina Barber; and Elizabeth Millicent, daughter of Wendell and Michealena Kelley.

Ostien and Rosetta Shann celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception held at their home.

Funeral services were held for Nancy “Nannie” Bunch, 102; Myrtle Goforth, 81; and for Annie Horner, 87.

May 6, 2004

The Lewis County Civil Air Patrol held an official presentation of their new charter at a ceremony held on May 3 at Lewis County Airport. Named the 189th Lewis County Composite Squadron, the group would serve cadets aged 12 to 18. The group would be headed by Major Daniel Norton who would serve as Commander of the squadron.

A Hohenwald woman was arrested on charges of identity theft. According to the Hohenwald Police Department the woman had been employed earlier in the year by a local tax preparation service and as a result was able to obtain personal information on her victim.

Tristan McPherson was named valedictorian for the LCHS Senior Class of 2004. Jennifer Leach was named salutatorian.

A household hazardous waste collection event was planned for May 8 at the Lewis County Courthouse.

Lewis County Schools Transportation Department would conduct bus evacuation drills starting May 10.

The Adorable Dames chapter of the Red Hat Society was organized. Charter members of the chapter were Betty Belton, Darlene Carroll, Angela Milan, Doris Myers, Glena Sikes, Virginia Spears, and Ann Strickland.

LCHS Band Members Josh Head and Robert Rawdon III participated in the 2004 University of North Alabama Honor Band.

Funeral services were held for Clint Grinder, 81; and for Irene Lawson, 90.

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.