Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

May 20, 1954

The major headline this week was “Public School Segregation Must Now Await Further High Court Arguments.” Officials at the state, county, and city level urged “calmness” among residents.

Tax figures for beer revenue in Lewis County for the past eight months was reported as $2,542.26.

Paul Chandler enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Peery announced the birth of their son, James Douglas.

Funeral services were held for Dora Phillips, 73.

Kittrell Appliance Company advertised a Frigidaire automatic washer for $299.95 and a matching clothes dryer for $247.95.

“Yukon Gold,” starring Kirby Grant and Chinook, and “Rough Tough West,” starring Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnett, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

In area news: A Parsons fire truck collided with an automobile, injuring two people before crashing into the front of a bank building.

May 21, 1964

Boy Scout troop 322 of Lewis County announced that they would sell 5’x3’ U.S. Flags with “fifty stars” on them in conjunction with Memorial Day activities planned.

Judy Duncan was a first-place winner in the annual MLEC essay contest; Connie Lester was the second-place winner. The theme of the essay was “Electricity Powers Progress.”

James Kelley graduated from a U.S. Airforce jet aircraft mechanics training course at Amarillo Air Force Base, TX.

The following births were announced: Joe Wilburn Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Turnbow; and Judith Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Tatum.

Funeral services were held for Ruth Anthony, 55; and for Dallas Williams, 92.

Peden & Lees Jewelry advertised a going out of business sale. Diamond rings were half price, costume jewelry was selling for $0.75 per set, tie tacks were half off, and leather watch bands priced at $3 was marked down to $0.75 each.

Hohenwald Speedway advertised “something new” Figure 8 racing “for the first time” on May 24.

“Love with the Proper Stranger,” starring Natalie Wood, and “Captain Sinbad,” starring Guy Williams, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

May 23, 1974

Stephen Johnson was announced at valedictorian of the 1974 LCHS Senior Class. Bobby Barber was named as salutatorian.

A resident was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the March 2 death of another resident at a local tavern.

Rayfordean “Ray” Bowers was transferred to the Lewis County Field office of the Soil Conservation Service in Hohenwald.

Keith Lawson was chosen as the winner in the annual 4-H Dairy Poster contest. Alternate winner was Randall Bush.

The following births were announced: Alan Scott, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Floyd; Rose Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Akins; Vickie Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kelley; and Rhonda Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Uhl.

Funeral services were held for John Burlison, 51.

“The Female Response,” starring Raina Barrett and Jacque Colton, and “Five Guns West,” starring John Lund and Dorothy Malone, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

May 24, 1984

The final phase of renovation work at LCES was underway and scheduled to be completed by June 15.

A resident was arrested and charged with attempted murder in a shooting incident at the home of a city policeman.

Judy Mercer was elected president of the Lewis County Parent Teachers Organization.

Sue Conkle and Tommy Staggs were named as Outstanding Booster Club members for the 1983-84 year.

Sandra Staggs was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award from American Medical Technologies during the organization’s national meeting in Kansas City.

Elmer Adair was elected commander of the Fred E. Lomax American Legion Post 127.

The following births were reported: Jerre IV, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerre Fly III; and Alan Lawson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul O’Guin.

Funeral services were held for Reuel Bunch, 58.

“Up the Creek,” starring Tim Matheson and Don Monahan, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

May 26, 1994

A state-mandated reappraisal of all Lewis County properties was completed, and assessment change notices were scheduled to be mailed to property owners on May 27.

A local man was critically injured in a shooting at a local residence on Thomas Avenue.

The first group of prisoners were transported to the Lewis County Jail and Sheriff Department’s new facility on Swan Avenue on May 20.

Two 16-year-old juveniles escaped from the New Hope Diagnostic Center at Lewis Community Hospital on May 18 by jumping a fence.

Mickey Allen, Lewis County USDA-ASCS director, resigned his position after 8 years of service to accept a position with the Montgomery County ASCS office.

Devin Durham, fourth grade student, presented a time capsule to Bill Lynch, LCHS Principal. The capsule was to be “buried” at the LCHS library for the fourth grade class to reopen when they graduated from high school in 2002. The capsule contained memorabilia pertaining to the fourth graders.

Albert Ricketts shot a hole-in-one at the Hohenwald Golf and Recreation Club.

Gary Anderson caught a 24-pound catfish while fishing in Roy Burn’s ponds on Linden Highway.

Joe Joe Tanner caught a 10-pound catfish while fishing in a private pond in Lewis County.

Devin and Cindy Williams announced the birth of their daughter, Devin Michelle.

Funeral services were held for Lolamae Averett, 75; and for Monte McDermith, 43.

May 20, 2004

The State of Tennessee seized the Sentinel Trust Company, closing doors on May 18, due to the company’s inability to continue normal business operations.

The Lewis County Commission avoided a property tax increase by voting to issue capital outlay notes to not exceed $980,000. The notes would be used to roll in three existing notes, pay for projects already completed, and to fund future projects. In addition, the Highway Department and Landfill would send revenue back to the county.

Avalon Acres was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Lindsey Wayland and Mandy Willis were selected to represent Lewis County as the 2004 Volunteer Girls State.

An article ran on the history of American Legion Baseball. In 1952 the only organized baseball for local youth in Lewis County was a team sponsored by the Fred E. Lomax American Legion Post 127. In 2004, over one hundred baseball teams played in Lewis County. The 1952 team was managed by Odis Shaw, with Carmen Morrow and Ellis Poore serving as assistants.

Tilhelm McClain hit a hole-in-one while playing at Goose Pond Colony in Scottsboro, AL.

Robert and Amber Walker announced the birth of their daughter, Kaitlyn Jade.

Funeral services were held for Isabell Barber, 94; Rick Brewer, 42; Cynthia Burlison, 24; Joey Burlison, 32; Selma Colon, 73; Vickie LaRue, 46; Josephine Misurale, 81; Joseph Remke, Jr., 79; Emily Warren, 85.

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.

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.