Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

July 8, 1954

The Herald reported, “The Fourth of July passed in a quiet manner here with practically all businesses closed… Insofar as we have been able to learn, there was not a single accident in the county over the weekend…”

Bids would be taken for the old Springer Church of Christ building until July 17. The winning bidder would have to remove the building from the land by July 31. Bids could be made at the Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company.

Clovis Anderson and Thomas Lawson were serving aboard the USS Gurke.

The Oak Grove News column reported, “They had tried everything to conjure up a little shower for the parched fields and gardens around here, even to hanging up all the snakes they had killed. Hanging up snakes is supposed to be real good to bring rain. It looks like it was going to fail this time—and then came last Saturday. Along with the rain came wind which blew shingles from roofs, broke trees as large as 16 or 20 inches in diameter, drove the rain under windows as though the windows were not there. It hailed. Ruby Carroll got pelted as she ran through the worst of the storm to the safety of Ollie Davis’s storm cellar. Lightning flashed thick and fast and much too close…”

Mr. and Mrs. McCoy Parker announced the birth of their daughter, Tracy.

Funeral services were held for Sophronia Turnbow, 87.

Advertised specials this week at U-Tote-‘Em Super Market included a one-pound box of Premium crackers for $0.25, a ¼ pound of Lipton tea for $0.31, an economy size of Colgate dental cream for $0.59, and old-fashioned cloth bologna for $0.29 a pound.

“Miss Robinson Crusoe,” starring Amanda Blake, and “The Lone Star,” starring Clark Gable, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

July 9, 1964

Wilson B. West was named head football coach at LCHS. West had previously coached for a school near Chattanooga for the past seven years.

The per capita personal income in Lewis County in 1962 was $1,114 according to a business report by the University of Tennessee; a substantial increase from $679 in 1950 for the county.

Buron Hinson and his grandson, Gary Hinson, caught two catfish weighing six pounds, five ounces and seven pounds. They also caught a string of bluegill.

The girls’ softball team, Hohenwald Hornets, defeated the Hohenwald Honey Bees with a score of 25 to 5. Janice Bates was the winning pitcher with Betty Cook on the mound for the losers. Carol Johnston aided the Hornets by hitting a home run.

Moritz Brown re-enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Ronnie Poore was the Mid-Season Champion at the Hohenwald Speedway.

Winners in a fishing contest held at Lake Highland were: Charles Hinson, bass division; Rod MacDonnel, bluegill division; Maryland Spears, crappie division; and Henry Coble, catfish division.

The following births were announced: Jerry Dwyane, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Runions; and Robin Angela, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Black.

Funeral services were held for Ernest Duncan; and for Frances Holley, 71.

“Wild and Wonderful,” starring Tony Curtis and Christine Kauffmann, and “Wild in the Country,” starring Elvis Presley, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

July 11, 1974

Construction of a new vocational educational facility in Lewis County moved a step closer to reality, as it was announced by Governor Winfeld Dunn and Commissioner of Education Benjamin Carmichael that the $382,311 project had been approved by the Tennessee Building Commission.

The Blue Grass Cooperage Company, a stave mill off Highway 99, was broken into during the weekend, with a calculator and $20.00 in change being taken. The lock on the gas pump had been broken, and some gasoline was believed to have also been taken.

Wives of members of the Lewis County Jaycees met with a group of Jaycettes from Mt. Pleasant to re-organize the Lewis County Jaycettes and elect officers. Mrs. Wayne Dye was elected President.

James Clifton was honored as Outstanding Enlisted U.S. Coast Guard Reservist for the Year.

James Roder completed an eight-week tracked vehicle maintenance course at Fort Knox, KY.

The Lewis County Jaycees advertised that a 1974 Vega would be given away at the Lewis County Fair on July 31.

Funeral services were held for William Coble, 56; Anthony Harden, 22; and for Robert Kobeck.

“Thieves Like Us,” starring Keith Carradine and Shelly Duvall, and “Centerfold Girl,” starring Andrew Prime and Tiffany Bolling, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

July 12, 1984

The City of Hohenwald ran a labor survey in the paper that residents could fill out and mail back to City Hall. The purpose of the survey was to determine a percent of available labor available for stitch and sew operators for Dixie Sewing Supply, and for future industry.

Employment Security Commissioner Tom Yount announced that Lewis County’s unemployment rate was at 15.1 percent, the lowest rate since December 1981.

Judge Billy Townsend announced that July 19 would be observed a Youth Appreciation Day in Lewis County. To celebrate the day, a picnic was held at the Natchez Trace Wilderness Preserve for young people aged 13 to 18.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, acting on a tip from a local citizen, confiscated 107 marijuana plants found on Highway 99 East. No arrests were made.

Diana Bayer, Auction Coordinator for the 1984 WDCN Action Auction, stated that Lewis County deserved special applause for their help in the public television fundraiser due to a 62 percent increase in contributions from the area.

Ronnie Harder was elected president of the Lewis County Band Booster Club.

Terry Skelton returned from a seven-month Navy deployment in the Mediterranean Sea.

Perry Choate and Chris Groves attended the 8th Annual Youth Conservation Camp at Brandon Springs Group Camp in Stewart County. This was a Conservation ’84 project sponsored by the Lewis County Soil Conservation District.

Gerry Rosson, member of the Lewis County Senior Citizens, won a bronze metal after placing third in the one-mile track event at the Senior Olympics held at MTSU.

Funeral services were held for Cecil Blackwell, 75; Genevia Clayton, 58; James Henderson, 73; Edward Rochelle; and for Ora Talley, 88.

“Romancing the Stone,” starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

July 7, 1994

Governor Ned McWhirter announced that for the second straight month, Tennessee’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since the state began keeping seasonally-adjusted records. In Lewis County, out of a labor force of 4,490, there were 280 unemployed. The unemployment rate dropped slightly from 6.4% to 6.2%.

A 4th of July celebration was held at Memorial Park with country, gospel, and pop bands performing. John’s BP softball team was the winner in the Jack and Jill softball tournament held during the celebration. Snappy’s Pizza team won the volleyball competition. Winners in the 10- to 13-year-old three-on-three basketball competition were Aaron Sigler, Josh Keltner, and Nick Spicer. Jason Pierce, Chris Overbey, and Patrick Hinson were winners in the 14- to 17-year-old bracket. In the 18+ competition, David Baxter, Paul Sheilds, and Blair Scott were winners.

A group of 19 from Lewis County or with Lewis County connections returned home following a 12-day trip to Europe.

David and Tammy Carroll announced the birth of their daughter, MaKenzie Renee.

Funeral services were held for Colonel Alvin Durham, 90; Richard McClanahan, 70; and for William Wilder, Jr., 65.

July 8, 2004

Two concerned citizens met with the City Mayor and Councilmen concerning trespassing concerns. A single-wide house trailer had been parked in a public alleyway for 20 years. The City of Hohenwald sent a letter to the owner in 2002 stating the trailer could not be inhabited because of its location. In July 2004 the city passed a resolution stating that the alleyway must be cleared. The occupant’s request to have the alley abandoned was denied.

The 54th annual Oak Grove Fish Fry was scheduled for July 9th.

The 7th annual Fraternal Order of Police rodeo was scheduled for July 24 at Memorial Park.

Daniel Duby caught two catfish weighing a total of 30 pounds while fishing with his uncle Wess Barber in Perry County.

Danielle Carroll caught an albino catfish weighing 6 pounds while fishing in her grandfather’s pond.

Alberto Morgan was honored by Eaton Corporation for 25 years of perfect attendance.

The following births were announced: Cooper Zane, son of Vic and Julie Reeves; Avery Walker, son of Lantz and Kendall Dabbs; and Regan Marie, daughter of Joshua and Holly Kelley.

James Odom celebrated his 77th birthday with a party hosted by Aileen Peery, Granny Eleanor Cox, and Ruby Odom.

Funeral services were held for Robert Davidson, 69; Betty Griner, 73; Jimmy Keener, 68; Toni Keener, 59; Daniel McCrackin, 42; Jewell Paschall, 77; Charles Roder, 69; and for Mary Trousdale, 88.

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.