Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

July 22, 1954

R. K. Roney, Jr. was elected Middle Tennessee Division Commander of the American Legion.

J. O. Yokely was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 127.

Robert Evans completed a nine-month Marine Corps course at Quantico, VA.

A sewing demonstration was scheduled to take place at Wallace Poore’s store on July 23. Dorthea Brooks would be demonstrating new and cost-saving ideas on sewing children’s clother.

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Haskins announced the birth of their daughter, Trinace Marie.

Funeral services were held for Samuel Boyce, 64; Otto Evans, 68; and for Myrtle Schrader, 55.

“Shark River,” starring Steve Cochran and Carlon Mathews, and “Silver Canyon,” starring Gene Autry, were the Friday and Saturday night double feature at the Strand Theatre.

In statewide news: the Tennessee Health Department reported that polio cases was up 50 percent in the state.

July 23, 1964

An armored Wells Fargo truck made its first delivery to the First National Bank in Hohenwald. According to bank president Claude Ricketts, the Federal Reserve had just begun the delivery of money to the local bank in this manner. In the past, cash was received through the United States Postal Service.

Two Fort Campbell soldiers were arrested following a high-speed chase by Tennessee Highway Patrol over a large portion of Hohenwald. The driver was charged with running 12 stop signs, speeding at 75 mph in a 30-mile zone, no drivers license, and resisting arrest. The car owner who was a passenger in the vehicle was charged with permitting an automobile to be driven contrary to the law.

Dwayne Talley was serving aboard the Navy submarine USS Runner.

Funeral services were held for J. F. Casteel; and for Harland Coop, 51.

“Diamond Head,” staring Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux, and “Bullets for Billy the Kid,” starring Steve Brodie, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

July 25, 1974

The Lewis County Fair was set to open on July 29 and would run through August 3.

Lewis County schools was set to open for the new school year on September 3.

Randy Carroll was selected to participate in the TSSAA East-West All-Star basketball game at MTSU.

Construction of the Lewis County Nursing home was progressing. The building was expected to be completed by October 15. Furniture and other equipment had already been purchased and would be delivered at the approximate time the building would be ready for occupancy.

E. H. Wright was the winner of a Senior Golf Tournament at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club.

A resident was charged with murder following the suffocation death of their child.

Thomas Davis was commissioned a lieutenant following his graduation from the ROTC program at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

The following births were announced: Christopher David, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gay; and Joshua Paul, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Roberson.

Agnes Sharp was honored for her 84th birthday with a dinner held at Slippery Church of Christ.

Funeral services were held for John Goodman, 51; and for Martha Loveless, 85.

“The Super Cops,” starring Ron Leibman and David Shelby, and “Deadly Weapons,” starring Chesty Morgan and Harry Reems, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

July 26, 1984

The City of Hohenwald would be conducting a house-to-house survey to gather information to be used for application of a Community Development Block Grant and other federal funds to construct a municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Charles Gray was named the plant controller at the Hohenwald Boston Industrial Products plant.

Alton Williams caught a string of 12 blue channel and yellow catfish while fishing with his son. The largest fish weighed 12.5 pounds.

Mr. and Mrs. Flavil Ray, Jr. won a 1984 Chevrolet Chevette in a drawing held by Mid-State Automotive in Nashville.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Whitworth, Jr. celebrated their 25th anniversary with a reception at the Hohenwald Recreation and Country Club. The event was followed by a dance.

Funeral services were held for Clayton Gilmer, 76; and for Aubrey Goldtrap, 66.

“Rhinestone,” starring Dolly Parton, was the weekend movie at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

In statewide news: A new law would go into effect on August 1st prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to person under the age of 21. The law would exempt members of the armed forces as well as 19 and 20-year-olds who were accompanied by a parent.

July 21, 1994

The Hohenwald Post Office announced the addition of a new postal route, effective July 23. Rural Route 5 would provide earlier service for a large part of the Hohenwald delivery area since overburdened Routes 1 and 3 would be relieved.

Construction at LCHS was underway with a new addition sporting partial outside walls. On completion, the building would have 13 new classrooms and an office complex to ease the load of overcrowding.

Construction was also underway at LCES. When completed, the school would have 8 new kindergarten classrooms, library, kitchen/cafeteria, and 11 other classrooms.

The State Building Commission approved a recommendation from Governor Ned McWhirter to begin planning a $2.6 million upgrade of the Tennessee Technology Center at Hohenwald. The project included $2,242,000 for major additions and renovations, along with $391,400 in funding for new equipment.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Collinwood with a score of 48 to 39 in a scrimmage game. Jeremy Conner caught a pass from Panther quarterback Wesley Duncan for a 20-yard touchdown.

Phyllis Moore was honored by Avon Products, Inc. for her outstanding sales achievement at an awards luncheon held in Nashville. Moore achieved the highest annual sales level among 300 representatives in her district.

Laredo/Code West honored the following employees with service awards: Melissa Quillen, 10 years; Marion Brackeen, 5 years; Dennis Hensley, 5 years; Randall Kilpatrick, 5 years; Joanne Runions, 1 year; and Debbie Spears, 1 year.

Local anglers reported catching the following fish at Uncle Curly’s fish ponds: Joe and Catherine Gray, 32 pounds of catfish; Liz Leigh, an 8-pound catfish; and Jennie Coker, a 7-pound catfish.

The following births were announced: Bronson Randall, son of Jason and Marcie Sharpe; and Brooklyn DeLayne, daughter of Tim and Rhonda Vice.

Funeral services were held for Dois Garrison, 65; and for Peggy McNamara, 53.

July 22, 2004

The main headline for the week was “Governor Bredesen Put on the Spot to Keep Campaign Promise: Highway 412 Concerns Discussed.” A group of 15 individuals from Middle Tennessee had the opportunity to have lunch with Governor Phil Bredesen on July 15. During the meeting, concerns were raised by one attendee, Ronnie James, regarding the incomplete status of the Highway 412 project. James urged the Governor to fulfill his promise made during his election campaign to ensure the road’s construction without delays. Governor Bredesen assured Mr. James that he would investigate the matter further.

Officials at the local Eaton Corporation facility stated the closing for the Global Hose Division had been pushed up to May 1, 2005. October 2004 was originally planned as the absolute closing date of the factory.

An editorial was published under the title “Transportation Money Comes on the Heels of Death.” The article highlighted how Josh Carroll who was in need of a liver transplant was unable to be flown out of the Lewis County Airport due to a failed lighting system on the runway. Carroll and his mother had to drive to an airport in another county. A state grant to replace the runway lights was awarded too late to benefit the young man. The editorial noted that the runway “may not have been a contributing factor” in the youth’s passing… “but thanks in part to him, the airport will now receive attention that is long overdue. Bittersweet will be improvements made to this airfield as the story of Josh Carroll’s failed flight spurs growth in Lewis County.”

Caleb Carroll caught his first fish, a 5.5-pound catfish while fishing with his father and sister at his grandfather’s pond.

The City of Hohenwald recognized the following employees with service awards: Corbit Moody, 15 years; and Amy Ross, 15 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Les Hensley celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception at the First Pentecostal Church Activity Center.

Funeral services were held for William Brown, 81; Bobby Crowell, 67; and for James Mayberry, 74.

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.