Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

May 27, 1954

The LCH reported that much progress had been made on the construction of the industrial building. The roof was completed and almost all of the masonry work was finished.

The construction of gas pipelines was moving fast in the county, with ditching complete. The Herald noted that “the business men of Hohenwald would welcome a construction crew each day in the year as the dollars have been really jingling in the cash drawers the past few months.”

Coach Reed announced that supervised recreation and play periods would start at the school playgrounds on May 31, and would run for a period of 8 weeks. Parents were requested to only send children that were eligible to enter school in the fall.

Ernest Pollock announced that he had purchased equipment for the showing of CinemaScope movies at the Strand Theatre, adding that National Theatre Supply Company would come and install the equipment with the next five to six weeks.

Funeral services were held for Elizabeth Schubert, 85.

Kittrell Motor Company advertised that a Field Day would be held at the W.L. Kittrell Farm on May 28 and 29, 1954, to demonstrate the Allis-Chalmers Hay-Rake Bailer.

“No Escape,” starring Lew Ayers and Marjorie Steele, and “Under California Stars,” starring Roy Rogers and Trigger, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

In area news: the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis railway, which ran through Lewis County, won a national safety award.

May 28, 1964

The American Legion ran a donation form in the paper for the purpose of soliciting donations for the War Memorial Monument that was to be erected and dedicated on May 30.

The Hohenwald Babe Ruth baseball team was first place in the Tri-County League as a result of winning their first three games of the season.

Sixteen members of the Lewis County Civil Air Patrol Cadets participated in the Tennessee Wing Drill competition at Sewart Air Force Base on May 23.

Loudene Keathley and Joyce Moore caught 63 bluegill, weighing a total of 10 pounds, while fishing at Lee’s Lake. Mrs. Hardison and Mrs. Davis also fished at Lee’s Lake, catching a string of bluegill weighing 10 pounds.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles McLemore were honored with a bon voyage party held by the Young Adult Sunday School Class of Hohenwald Church of Christ.

“Comedy of Terrors,” starring Vincent Price, and “For Love or Money,” starring Kirk Douglas and Mitzi Gaynor were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

May 30, 1974

A. B. Sisco Appreciation Day was set for June 8 at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club. A good response was being received from out-of-town graduates and friends, and a number of community groups have joined in planning to help ensure the day’s success.

Bobby Johnson was named Club Champion at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club, having shot a two under par.

Three youths were injured in two separate motorcycle accidents. Two were injured when they ran together on a motorcycle in Riverside. The other youth ran into a barbed wire fence while riding in a field behind Anderson Clinic. All were treated and released.

Rhonda King won the bread baking activity in the Junior Division at the 4-H Demonstration Day, and received prize money from Martha White Foods, Inc. King would participate in the district break baking competition.

Mr. and Mrs. Elihu Johnston celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception held at the Hohenwald Bank Community Room.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Mack Tharp.

A loaf of bread cost $0.38 at IGA. Fresh corn was on sale at Baxter’s Bestway for the price of five ears for $0.59. Farm fresh fryers were $0.39 a pound at Piggly Wiggly.

“Deranged,” starring Roberts Blossom and Cosette Lee, and “Tales that Witness Madness,” starring Joan Collins and Kim Novak, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

May 31, 1984

County Executive W.T. Rasbury signed a proclamation naming the week of May 27 through June 3 as Soil Stewardship Week in Lewis County.

Marsha Mash, Farm Bureau Blue Cross and Blue Shield, received an award for being one of 14 farm bureaus to have the highest net gain in Blue Cross and Blue Shield contracts during the 1983-84 sales period.

The 3rd Annual Science Fair was held at LCES on May 10. Approximately 250 exhibits were entered by students from the 5th through 8th grade. Students receiving first place ribbons in Life Science were Steve Booz, Angela Messina, Kellie Carroll, and Elaine Turnbow. Students receiving first place in Earth Science were Kristi Gilbert, Lea Ann Burns, Kelli Hinson and Neil Ann Mitchell (tie), and Jeff Barber. Students winning first place in Physical Science were Jesse Stacy, Greg Horner, Donald Turner, and Laura Dicus. Students winning first place in Social Science were Matt Oglesby and Kris King. Blair Scott and Shelia Scott won first place in Collections. Melissa Whitehead and Sandy Holt won first place in Models.

David Craig was recruited to play college basketball at Northern Michigan University.

Martha Tacy, fourth grade student, received a prize for having a balloon returned from the farthest distance when the elementary school released 4,000 balloons during Balloon Day. Tacy’s balloon was returned by Amman Sowell, a third grade student in Paint Lick, KY who found the balloon while looking for frogs in a tree on May 05, 1984.

Royce Denton was recognized for five years of service at the local Dee Cee apparel plant.

Bessie Webb won $2,900 in the weekly “Cash Bankroll” contest at Holt’s IGA.

Mrs. Jess Cothran, Jr., Chad Cothran, Bonnie Cothran, and Mike Clay celebrated their birthdays together at a dinner held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Cothran, Jr.

Funeral services were held for Eugene Perry, 82.

“Splash,” starring Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

June 2, 1994

Naymond and Marjorie Graves were members of the funeral procession for Civil War Veteran Lt. Simeon W. Cummings, whose body was relocated from Africa and reburied in Maury County. Lt. Cummings was the only known Confederate soldier who died and was buried in a foreign country.

Melvie Hargrave, Lewis County Civil Defense Weather Statistician, recorded 46.2 inches of precipitation for the county in the first five months of 1994.

The Watauga Saxophone Quartet of Kingsport was scheduled to perform at the bandshell at Wilhelm Tellplatz Park on June 4.

Mickey Allen, county executive director of the Lewis County USDA, was honored with a reception on May 27. Allen resigned as director on May 28 to accept a position as director of the Montgomery County USDA.

Private Jason Grimes graduated from advanced individual training at Ft. Gordon, GA.

Members of the local TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter, Linda Box, Betty Hankins, and Myra Hinson, attended Area Recognition Days in Clarksville on May 20-21, where they were honored with several awards for weight loss.

Carol Sharp won Nordic Track exercise equipment in a contest held at Morrow’s FoodTown.

Crystal Rogers, a member of Brownie Troop 0954, was awarded a trophy for the highest Girl Scout cookie sales in Lewis County. Sasha Reeves had the second highest number of cookie sales.

Funeral services were held for Raymond Willis, 76.

May 27, 2004

Lewis County’s first winery, Keg Springs Winery, was set to open June 1.

RikkiDee’s Gifts and More was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Luke Newbold won the championship trophy in the boys’ 14s division at the Racquet Club of Murfreesboro Spring Classic.

Rick Baur was sworn in as Post Commander of the Fred E. Lomax American Legion Post 127.

The Farm School in Summertown hosted the national meeting of the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools. The theme of the meeting was Peace Begins at Home.

The archeological firm that conducted the excavations at three prehistoric sites discovered near Swan Creek in the U.S. 412 widening project would present their findings at the June meeting of the Lewis County Historical Society.

John Reeves was recognized for 30 years of service with Eaton Corporation.

Alexandria Willis was crowned Little Sweetheart Princess in the Springtime Pageant hosted by the Lewis County Jaycees.

Funeral services were held for Joshua Carroll, 15; Marie Carroll, 90; Jerry Clayton, 64; Christine Hickerson, 78; James Long, 52; James Pope, 47; Russell Tatum, 62; and for Mary Whitehead, 72.

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.