Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

July 29, 1954

Authorities destroyed a still capable of producing 100 gallons of finished whisky per day in Lewis County. This still was believed to be the largest ever dismantled in the county and was situated in the 3rd Civil District, approximately 8 to 9 miles from Hohenwald on Dry Branch. Two individuals from Hickman County, Albert Tyler, Sr. and his 22-year-old son, were apprehended and arrested on charges of unlawful whisky production.

The Herald received numerous reports of snakes being killed in town, one having seven rattlers and measuring 31 inches in length. Readers were warned to be on the lookout for snakes in town, especially if they had children outside playing.

The Strand Theatre announced that it would show its first CinemaScope film, “Night People” starring Gregory Peck and Broderick Crawford, on Sunday and Monday, July 31 and August 1.

James Spann was honored for his 34th birthday with a surprise dinner given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pollock.

Mrs. Eddie Duncan was honored for her birthday with a surprise supper held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kittrell.

Funeral services were held for Christalee Hinson, 41; Annie Rasbury, 77; and for Jim Skelton, 75.

“Apache Rose,” starring Roy Rogers, and “Donovan’s Brain,” starring Dennis O’Keefe, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

July 30, 1964

A wreck and fire at Hohenwald Speedway during the July 26 Figure 8 race resulted in several drivers being injured. Speedway officials met and decided to discontinue the Figure 8 race and replace it with a Hobby race on the round track.

Herbert Ford was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Waymer Staggs caught a four-pound, eleven-ounce bass while fishing at Laurel Hill.

The following births were announced: Brownie Franklin III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brownie Hankins; Susan Camille, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy James; and Kerrie Lee, daughter of Claude and Carline Mathis.

Funeral services were held for Donna Adair, 76; and for Calvin Bloom, 86.

Ronnie Leverette announced the grand opening of the Leverette Sausage Plant, following his acquisition of the business. Customers would be treated to complimentary sausage sandwiches and coffee, and there would be a special giveaway of a frozen pig for the individual who could guess its weight most accurately.

“Masque of the Red Death,” starring Vincent Price, and “Just for Fun,” starring Bobby Dee, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

August 1, 1974

The City of Hohenwald announced that a mausoleum would be constructed at Swiss Cemetery. “This chapel-type building will be an imposing and beautiful structure…as fine as money, art, and science can build.” A mausoleum representative would be canvassing the community to show pictures and explain “exactly what the mausoleum is.”

The following births were announced: Jennifer Leslie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bunch; Amber Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny Canady; Kevin John, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Creasy; and Clasha Dawn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garry Hinson.

Laura Couch was honored for her 90th birthday with a party at her home. A number of Lewis County residents traveled to Arizona to celebrate her birthday.

Funeral services were held for Andrew Craig, 66.

“Jeremy,” starring Robby Benson and Glynnis O’Connor, and “Born Losers,” starring Tom Laughlin, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

Advertised specials at Baxter’s Bestway included a half gallon of Clorox bleach for $0.43 and a ten-pound bag of potatoes for $0.99. Items on sale at IGA included three pounds of Sno Kreem shortening for $1.39 and semi-boneless hams for $0.89 a pound. A two-pound block of Golden Best cheese was on sale at Piggly Wiggly for $0.99 and smoked jowls was $0.39 a pound.

August 2, 1984

American Materials and Manufacturing Company (AMMCO) opened a new factory in Hohenwald which would recycle old and rejected tires along with other rubber products. The plant was located at a temporary location on Roney Street and was expected to hire 75 to 100 persons in the next year.

Lewis County Bank announced that it would celebrate one year of business in Hohenwald with refreshments served to anyone during business hours of Friday and Saturday on August 3 and 4.

Arlelus Dye hit a hole-in-one with a wedge while golfing at Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club on July 29.

Elizabeth Turnbow was promoted to director of the Hemophilia Clinic at Akron Children’s Medical Center in OH.

Mr. and Mrs. Bill McDonald announced the birth of their daughter, Julie Elizabeth.

Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Wright celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception held at their home.

Funeral services were held for Willard Dabbs, 66; and for Dena Riley, 79.

Bowen Magnavox Home Entertainment Center advertised they would be holding their grand opening on August 11. A drawing would be held for the following prizes: a 19-inch color TV, a 12-inch black and white TV, and a portable AM-FM cassette/radio.

“Gremlins” was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

July 28, 1994

Lewis County Schools would open for the 1994-1995 school year on August 18.

Tommy Carroll was honored for 25 years of public service at the Hohenwald Post Office.

Robert Johnston was elected as Seventh District Commander of the American Legion.

Elizabeth McDaniel was elected president of the Lewis County Friends of Animals Foundation.

Tim Watkins was hired as the LCMS girls basketball coach.

Roger Patterson, Ken Walker, and “PineKnot” Winfrey won $215 as winters of the first Techno-Hunt team shoot at High Forest Archery.

Chris James enlisted in the U. S. Army.

The following births were announced: Darrian Michelle, daughter of Steve and Janet Horner; Kyle Nicholas, son of Keith and Penny Bobo; and Madelyn Brice, daughter of Glen and Jennifer Tanner.

Lloyd Curtis was honored for his 56th birthday with a surprise dinner held at the home of his sister and brother-in-law.

Trent and Mary Anderson celebrated their 68th anniversary with a dinner held in their honor.

Funeral services were held for Irene Burt, 78; Emmett James, 64; Virginia Young, 85.

July 29, 2004

The announcement of grant money for participating downtown business owners got positive feedback at a meeting with the Mayor and members of the Hohenwald City Council. A Rural Development grant worth $99,000 would allot approximately $3,400 per merchant to refurbish the facades of their buildings.

Lewis Count E-911 invited residents to visit their completed Phase II Dispatch Center along with their County Mapping Center.

Cadet Orientation flights began in June with 12 Civil Air Patrol cadets completing their first flight.

Tiffany Woods participated in the Governor’s School for the Humanities at UT-Martin.

Tina the Elephant passed away peacefully at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

A human interest feature was published highlighting Lynn Ammons. Ammons had been employed at Oliver Technologies since April after seeing a story in the local paper about a die press being bought by Oliver Technologies.

The Lewis County Homeschool 4-H Club were recipients of a WaterWorks! Championship prize of $500 for their explorations in water quality and water habitats.

T. J. Scarbrough and Jill Underwood announced the birth of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Funeral services were held for Joyce Andrews, 65; John Barber, 83; Mamie Cotham, 88; Chad Griner, 20; and for Dwayne Hinson, 38.

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.