Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

September 2, 1954

Mayor W.C. Keaton and J.H. Warf, Lewis County Public Building Committee Chair, announced that Wynn Industries was unable to establish operations in Hohenwald. However, Mr. Wynn expressed his willingness to relinquish his opportunity, allowing the City of Hohenwald and Lewis County Government to lease the Industrial Building to another company that would provide employment for twice as many individuals than Wynn Industries would have. To facilitate the establishment of this new factory, an additional 20,000 square feet of additional space would have to be constructed.

The Lewis County Quarterly Court met and approved an election to be held on September 25, 1954, to allow residents to vote on a $100,000 bond issue for the purpose of enlarging the new industrial building by 20,000 additional square feet.

First place winners of Lewis County 4-H dress contest were Merle Whitehead, best dress; Janice Warren, junior cotton school dress; and June Sublett, senior cotton school dress.

Jerry Akers enlisted in the Air Force.

Eddie Duncan was promoted in the Air Force to the rank of staff sergeant.

Mr. and Mrs. James Cotham announced the birth of their son, Justin Dale.

Funeral services were held for Florence Rochelle, 78; and for Ambrose Warren, 68.

Harris Studio advertised that they were “Hohenwald’s Newest” photography studio. Located at 117 Park Avenue North, next door to the L-P Gas Company. “We do anything in the line of photography—portraits, commercial and roll film.”

“The Bowery Boys Meet the Monster,” starring Leo Gorcey and the Bowery Boys, and “The Desperado,” starring John Wayne, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

September 3, 1964

Mrs. J.H. Warf, School Superintendent, announced that 1,667 students had enrolled in the Lewis County School System for the 1964-65 academic year. Additionally, Mrs. Warf also reported that LCHS successfully integrated without any incidents, welcoming ten new students as a result of this integration.

Jo Ann Malone was crowned the 1964 Fairest of the Fair at the Lewis County Fair. Johnnie Armstrong was first runner-up and Joan Ashworth was second runner-up.

Pittman Baker and Ward Harder defeated Tommy Mann and James Adair, 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 to win the tennis doubles tournament held at Memorial Park.

Mr. and Mrs. Leedy Goodman announced the birth of their daughter, Alisa Kolette.

Louisa Clay was honored for her 84rd birthday with a dinner held at Meriwether Lewis Park.

Funeral services were held for Ervin Rochelle, 74.

“The Pink Panther,” starring David Niven, and “Law of the Lawless,” starring Dale Robertson and Yvvone DeCarlo, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

September 5, 1974

Over 200 interested parents and teachers met at the Hohenwald Bank community room to organize and charter a Parent-Teacher Association. Janet Turner was elected President.

Doris Russell, of Grinder’s Creek, had a one-year-old banana tree growing in her front yard. The tree was expected to bear fruit when it was two years old. Mrs. Russell was quoted as saying, “With the price of food these days, growing one’s own banana pudding is the thing to do.”

Funeral services were held for Rufus Arnold, 71; Evelyn Hinson, 72; Jim Loveless, 65; and for Emma Spann, 93.

Advertised specials at Piggly Wiggly included a two-pound bag of pinto beans for $0.99 and jars of Heinz strained baby food for $0.10 each. Cabbage was $0.09 a pound at IGA, and ground beef was $0.89 a pound. A 171-ounce box of Tide detergent was on sale at Baxter’s Bestway for $2.99, and a two-pound box of fresh or frozen fryer breasts was $1.39.

“Pets,” starring Ed Bishop and Joan Blackman, and “The Convention,” starring Gene Hackman, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

September 6, 1984

Vickie Hooper was crowned the 1984 Fairest of the Fair in the senior division at the South Central Area Fair. Sonya Rainey was crowned Junior Fairest of the Fair.

A school bus collided with a 1984 Chrysler while both vehicles were travelling to LCHS. The Chrysler was stationary at a yield sign on West Linden Street when the bus struck the rear of the vehicle. According to the bus driver, he experienced a mechanical failure with the brake pedal, which detached and caused him to lose control of the braking system. The Chrysler sustained significant damage in the incident.

Terry Colley won the Club Championship at the annual Club Golf Tournament held at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club. He shot 207 in the 54-hole event. Bob Turnbow finished second with 213.

Mike Hickerson, with his dog Star, won first place in the September Buffalo River Coon Hunters Club hunt.

Keith and Lisa Hamm announced the birth of their son, Kyle Garrett.

Funeral services were held for Charley Anderson, 88; Wallace Cotham, 64; and for James Trull, 69.

Grimes Hardware, 23 East Main, advertised a Going Out of Business Sale beginning September 5.

“Grandview” starring Jamie Lee Curtis was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

September 1, 1994

The Lewis County Civil Defense received $6,250 from the Levi Strauss Foundation of Little Rock, Ark. to assist with the cost of refurbishing a mobile communications vehicle.

The Lewis County Volunteer Fire Department received $7,500 from the Levi Strauss Foundation to assist with the purchase of communications equipment.

Emily Rogers won the senior division of the Fairest of the Fair at the South Central Area. Christy Lomax was first runner up; Amy Williams was second runner up. Whitney Nutt was selected as the Junior Fairest of the Fair. Tiffany Webster was first runner up; Bobbie Chaffins was second runner up.

Applications were being accepted for the title of Mrs. Hohenwald, an official preliminary to the Mrs. Tennessee USI Pageant.

The 14th Annual Hohenwald Open Karate Championships were held on August 20 with approximately 475 participants.

Brian Hinson shot a hole-in-one at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club. The shot was for 270 yards.

Carolyn Gafford was among 4,000 entrepreneurs who attended the BeautiControl Cosmetics annual conference in Nashville.

The following births were announced: Kayla Lynn, daughter of Michael and Carla Peery; Kerri Rose, daughter of Leana Penny; Jacob Williams, son of Floyd and Wanda Sealey; and Shasta Renea, daughter of Gary and Ronda Turner.

Funeral services were held for Claude King, 83; and for William Whitehead, Jr.

Spears Food Mart on West Main advertised a Grand Opening with a number of specials and giveaway prizes.

September 2, 2004

County Mayor Kenneth Turnbow signed a proclamation declaring September 2004 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

An article was published to inform residents about the services provided by the city government and those offered by the county, aiming to clarify the topic of “Who pays for what?” that often caused confusion among the community.

The newspaper reported that the completion of Hwy. 412E was not a high priority for the Tennessee Department of Transportation or contractor. Updated information provided by the TDOT indicated that the final phase of the construction project was expected to be completed in December 2004.

The 2004 South Central Area Fair experienced a 30% decrease in attendance, which was attributed to significant rainfall on a daily basis during the event.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles were donated to the Sherriff’s Department and Hohenwald Police Department for use in exchange for an evaluation to be returned to the company. The motorcycles were debuted during the August 21 parade to welcome home the 771st Maintenance Company.

Lewis County Schools announced that would honor the 771st Maintenance Company with a welcome home celebration planned for September 3 at the LCMS football field.

Mitchell Jones completed Navy basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois.

The following births were announced: Caiden Matthew, son of Derek and Jenny Cotham; Mason Anthony, son of Kevin and Allison Weddle; and Madison Riley, daughter of Jim and Carolyn Williams.

Funeral services were held for Bobby Peery, 69; and for Roger Wilson, 48.

In area news: The Natchez Trace Parkway announced the closure of a section of parkway between milepost 282.5 and 307.6 was closed due to heavy rains and flooding.

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.