Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

June 24, 1954

T. E. Poore was presented a lapel pin by the Treasury Department in recognition of more than 10 years of service as the Lewis County Savings Bond Chair.

Mrs. Armstrong was in Chicago negotiating with Quaker Oats, who was interested in buying her frozen pie crust. Quaker Oats had made three trips to Hohenwald in pursuit of her patented recipe.

The “With Our Service Boys” column reported that Paul Wiss was promoted to the rank of machinist’s mate third class, and D. T. Hardy was serving aboard the USS Los Angeles.

The grandchildren of the late Johnny Bell had a reunion at Meriwether Lewis National Park.

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Grimes announced the birth of their daughter, Joyce Marie.

Mr. and Mrs. Grady Weatherspoon celebrated their 15th anniversary with a reception attended by family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Thomas Coble, 62; Annie Kruger, 85; and for Ed Stockard, 75;

Willis Motor Company advertised that they had added Pontiac cars and GMC trucks to their line of vehicles for sale.

“The Fake,” starring Dennis O’Keefe and Coleen Gray, and “The Kid from Amarillo,” starring Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre.

June 25, 1964

A ribbon cutting was held for the new Sears Roebuck Company Store in Hohenwald.

A resident sustained injuries while burning trash in Napier, when his clothing ignited after gasoline was added to the fire.

Craig Turnbow won the first set of a tennis tournament being held at Memorial Park. James Adair won the second set on a forfeit from Mike Sisco.

Waymer Staggs caught a string of ten bass while fishing in Laurel Hill Lake.

Eddie Staggs graduated from an communications center specialist course at Fort Gordon, GA.

Golden Palimenos, formerly the General Café, advertised a weekly menu of items and prices, adding that food was “served cafeteria style for your convenience.”

Roy Butler announced his purchase of Peden and Lee Jewelry Store.

Funeral services were held for Will Cotham, 80; Sidney Williams, 77; and for Bertha Wisdom, 64.

“Muscle Beach Party,” starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, and “Hell Divers,” starring Stanley Baker and Herbert Lom, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

June 27, 1974

Hohenwald would be on the news when Huell Howser, reporter for WSMV-TV, would feature Chance, the pet blonde gibbon (ape) belonging to Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Carl on the six o’clock news.

Mayor Dol Willis was named Associate Ombudsman by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

The following births were announced: Katrina Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Harlow; Melonie Dawn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rick Cogdill; Deborah Deon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Clayton; Brian Dale, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Burlison; Jennie Coleen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cotham; Amanda Layne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Hinson; and Jason Alan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Hinson.

Advertised specials this week at Piggly Wiggly included fryers for $0.39 a pound, ten pounds of red potatoes for $1.59, a half-gallon of ice milk for $0.55, and two lemons for $0.05.

“Billy Two Hats,” starring Gregory Peck, and Desi Arnez Jr., and “Working Girls” starring Sarah Kennedy and Laurie Rose, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

June 28, 1984

A report of Hohenwald’s Waste-To-Energy project was given at the City Council meeting. The project had been under consideration by the City for about three years and proposed to burn waste products which would produce energy that could be used by local industry or sold as electricity to MLEC.

Lewis County native Tommy Bates was named Athletic Trainer for the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association.

Trinea Grimes and Perry Choate attended the 29th annual 4-H Regional Resource Development Conference at Fontana Dam, NC.

Joe Turner graduated from Army basic training at Fort Jackson, SC.

The following births were announced: Randal Hunter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Dawson; Jana Nicole and Jenny Noel, twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Shane Willis; and Miles Wayne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Staggs.

Funeral services were held for Elsie Lynch, 88.

“Sixteen Candles,” starring Molly Ringwald, was the weekend movie at the Highlands Drive-In.

June 23, 1994

A cooperative effort between the Soil Conservation Service and the Lewis County Highway Department resulted in the repair of a bridge on Hooper Road and sections of roads on Allens Creek and Little Swan Creek that had been damaged from an ice storm and heavy rains earlier in the year. The Soil Conservation District was able to acquire Emergency Watershed Protection Funds in the amount of $8,700, supply technical service, and provide 75 percent of the funding needed for the Highway Department to repair the areas.

The Lewis County Commission passed and ratified its Regional Solid Waste Plan and a $300,000 capital outlay note to finance the construction of a convenience center/transfer station to be located at the landfill.

A City of Hohenwald garbage truck slid off the shoulder of a private driveway and turned over on its side. Minor damage was reported. A wrecker service in Columbia was called to right the vehicle.

The 19th annual J. M. Adcox Memorial Walking Horse Show was announced for June 24 at Memorial Park.

Mary Beth Shannon’s “Remembrances of Gordonsburg” was published in the paper.

Carl Couch was honored for his 85th birthday with a gathering of friends and family.

Cyrena Harder was honored for her 86th birthday with a surprise birthday party.

June 24, 2004

The main headline for the week was “TDOT and 412 Contractor Have Differing Completion Dates.” Tennessee Excavating reported that they were unsure why TDOT announced work on Highway 412 would not be done until December 2004 as they claimed that work never stopped on the project. “We expect to be finished with the project in about 1 ½ months.”

A storm swept through Lewis County’s Trace Creek area on Memorial Day, causing extensive property damage to the JJ Ranch.

The J. M. Adcox Memorial Walking Horse Show was announced for June 25.

The Dr. Anand Memorial Classic Golf Tournament was announced for June 26.

The following City of Hohenwald employees were recognized with service awards: Billy Barber, 10 years; Willard Frierson, 10 years; Sam Livingston, 5 years.

William Dowling won first place in discus throw at the THCA Nursing Home Olympics held in Jackson, TN.

Josua and Cindy Brown announced the birth of their son, Chase Ethan.

Robert and Joyce Frazier celebrated their 40th anniversary with dinner held at the home of their daughter, Brenda.

Carl Couch was honored for his 95th birthday with a celebration attended by family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Hettie Bresbois, 92; Vernon Hayward, 99; Karen Ogg, 44; and for Delphia Simmons, 89.

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.