Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

October 14, 1954

The Lewis County Quarterly Court approved its contribution towards the purchase of right-of-way for the proposed highway project extending Park Avenue in Hohenwald to a location three miles north of Linden on Highway 100.

An open house was held at the new factory building on Forrest Avenue. Prizes, band concerts, and industrial exhibits by local manufacturers were held as part of the festivities.

A man was charged with the fatal shooting of his wife at their residence. It was reported that he had returned from visiting Nunnelly, and subsequently engaged in an argument with his wife upon his arrival home. While there were no eyewitnesses to the shooting, their 12-year-old daughter was present in the house during the incident.

The Hohenwald General Shoe plant received recognition for maintaining the highest quality shoes in General Shoe’s Pyramid Division, which included manufacturing plants in TN, AL, and GA. The plant was awarded a quality banner which would be flown from the flag pole.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Dickson with a score of 14 to 13.

Funeral services were held for Amy Haley; Jesse McNeal; and for Sara James, 81.

“The Iron Glove,” starring Robert Stack, and “Blazing Bullets,” starring Johnny Mack Brown, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

October 15, 1964

Ed Holman, superintendent at the Hohenwald Genesco plant announced that he was resigning his position to become General Manager of an Endicott-Johnson shoe plant in New York.

The resident charged with first degree murder in the shotgun death of his brother-in-law was acquitted following a four hour jury deliberation.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Centerville with a score of 20 to 14, giving the Panthers a 3 to 0 record in the Tennessee Valley Conference.

Boyd Crowe was promoted to Private First Class in the USMC.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn Mash were honored on their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner at their home.

Funeral services were held for Bernice Brownlow, 60; and for Wilburn Mash, 70.

McDonald Funeral Home advertised that they were now offering an air ambulance service via Centerville Aero, Inc.

“Tarzan and the Lost Safari,” starring Gordon Scott, and “Stage to Thunder Rock,” starring Barry Sullivan and Marilyn Maxwell, were the Friday and Saturday night movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

October 17, 1974

An estimated 8,000 people were at Meriwether Lewis National Park for the 2nd annual Country Fair sponsored by the Maury County Creative Arts Guild.

Ronald Nutt was named the technical director of ORTEC at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Douglas Threet graduated from recruit training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA.

The following births were announced: Joshua Lee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Mack; and Kendall Lenee and Shannon Marie, twins of Mr. and Mrs. James DePriest.

Charlie Duncan was honored for his 72nd birthday with an event at his home.

Advertised specials at IGA included a quart of Kraft Miracle Whip for $0.99 and fresh cranberries for $0.39 a pound. A 49-ounce box of Gain detergent was $0.99 at Baxter’s Bestway, and a 10-ounce jar of Maxwell House coffee was $1.59.

“Sweet Sugar” starring Phyllis Davis, and “Scalawag,” starring Kirk Douglas, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

October 18, 1984

The City of Hohenwald reminded residents that the old dump site off Highway 99 East would permanently close on November 18 in order to comply with state and federal regulations.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Riverside with a score of 16 to 14. Bill McClain tied with Ed McClain in rushing yardage with 27 yards. Chad Cothran complemented that gain with four passes for 50 yards.

Bessie Webb won $2,900 from Holt’s I.G.A. by having her name drawn and by having her shopping card punched. Mrs. Webb, after tithing a portion of the winnings, used the money to dig a new well for her home that would replace her then-current shallow well.

Tony Turnbow became an associate attorney in the law firm of Alexander, King, and Williams in Franklin.

Amy Curtis was among those who greeted Queen Elizabeth II when she arrived in Lexington, KY for a six-day visit. Amy curtsied to the queen and presented nosegay of flowers to Her Majesty. The queen spoke to Amy, saying, “Thank you, how very kind of you.”

The following births were announced: Christy Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cotham; and Summer Dawn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Frazier.

Frank Brown was honored for 92nd birthday with a dinner held at his home.

Funeral services were held for Clyde Oatts, 68.

“Purple Rain,” starring Prince, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

October 13, 1994

The first annual Fall Classic Car Show was held on October 8 and 9. There were 119 vehicles entered in the show. Three cars received first place trophies for being “Best of the Best”—Bill Cabaniss of Tuscumbia, AL with a 1966 Ford Mustang, Butch and Nancy Corder of Kelso with a 1947 Dodge-DZ4C, and Bob Hess of Shelbyville with a 1952 Chevrolet. Donald Gentry of Blue Springs, MS on the Committee Choice award for his 1954 Chevrolet Bel-Air.

Shacie Garrison was scheduled to be crowned 1994 LCHS Homecoming Queen at the Homecoming game on October 14. Her attendants were Nikki Loveless, Christy Garner, Amanda Adcox, and Shandra Hinson.

Members of the Lewis County Cleaner Roads Committee spruced up the roadside park on Highway 412 East.

The FCC granted Way of Life, Inc., a group affiliated with the Lewis County Ministerial Association, a license to maintain a radio tower at the frequency of 91.9 FM. Way of Life would broadcast contemporary Christian music, scripture, and local Christian events that originated from WAY-FM 88.7 in Brentwood.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Lawrence County with a score of 15 to 8. Bubba Hall led the defense with 16 tackles. Donald Sparkman led the rushing with six attempts for a total yardage of 62.

Twenty-four students in Cindy Grave’s fourth grade class participated in an English Essay Writing Contest. Winners were Hans Schwendimann, first place; Chris Seiber, second; and Tiffany Miller, third.

Stephen Lyell caught a 12-pound catfish at Pickwick Dam.

Ward Frazier grew two pumpkins in his garden weighing 60 and 100 pounds, respectively.

The following births were announced: Clara Lane, daughter of Steve and Janet Cook; and Jordan Kyle, son of Rick and Lori Brewer.

Funeral services were held for Alice Plummer, 88.

October 14, 2004

Lewis County Schools would offer Parents are Teachers (PAT) classes. PAT is the award-winning Bowdoin Method that shows parents how to work with their children from infancy to school age.

The 2004 Civic Bowl was scheduled for October 16 at LCMS and would feature the first double header in the history of the event.

6th grade student Matt Hobbs wrote a song expressing his emotions as he waited for his father, Byron Hobbs, to return from military service in Kuwait. Patrick Canfield, Hobbs’ uncle, added a chorus and music to the song and recorded it. The song, “Daddy, I’ll Do My Best,” was picked up by stations across Tennessee including airplay on WMLR as well as FM 100 in Memphis. A copy of the song reached Matt’s father in Kuwait.

Gene Medford won first place in the slow race at the CMT/Abate Motorcycle Rodeo finals in Millington, and was named the 2004 Champion.

The elephant barn at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald won a AIA-Gulf State Design Award. The barn was designed by Architect Cary F. Dunn of Nashville.

H & R Block was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Crystal Shirley was named LCMS Student of the Week.

The following births were announced: Keira Aline, daughter of Keith of Gena Halbrooks; Azia Elizabeth-Gail, daughter of Michael Jones and Natalie Barnes; Shelby, daughter of Daniel and Cassie Seiber; and Jayce Aaron, son of Aaron and Misty Clayton.

Funeral services were held for James Hensley, 39; Bedford Durham, 81; Delbert Robertson, 81; Samuel Sweeney, 91; and for Oxford Staggs, Jr., 71.

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.