Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

April 30, 1953

Charles Hinson entered the armed services and was taking basic training with the Medical Replacement Training Center at Camp Picket, VA.

The Hohenwald Speedway announced that they would open each Sunday afternoon with races at 2 p.m.

Buie’s Service Station was scheduled to hold their grand opening on May 2. A free five-pound bag of sugar would be given to customers to bought 10 gallons of gasoline, and a 2-pound bag of sugar would be given to those who bought five gallons of gasoline on opening day.

Thurston Fite advertised that he was in search of a housekeeper and plain cook.

The following births were announced: Jane Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bradley; and Rickie Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Billie Carroll.

Funeral services were held for Willie Higgins, 45; Isham Hurt, 82; and for John Nobs.

“Wild Stallion,” starring Ben Johnson and Edgar Buchanan, and “Canyon Ambush,” starring Johnny Mack Brown and Lee Roberts were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

“Slaughter Trail,” starring Brian Donlevey and Gig Young, and “Big Timber,” starring Roddy McDowell and Jeff Donnell were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theater.

May 2, 1963

Mayor W. C. Keaton signed a proclamation naming May and June as Hohenwald’s annual Clean Up - Paint Up - Fix Up months.

W.T. Starbuck retired as postmaster of the Hohenwald post office after serving in the position for nine years. He also served as postmaster for 12 years from 1923 to 1935. His combined service of more than 21 years at the post office was longer than any other postmaster in Hohenwald at the time. Aileen Warf was appointed acting Postmaster.

Lewis County Government announced that all county offices would be closed on Thursdays beginning May 9 and would continue to be closed throughout the summer months.

Genesco was awarded a military contract for 10,404 pairs of women’s shoes to be made at their Hohenwald plant.

The spring drought was broken when weekend rains brought a total of 3.41 inches to Lewis County.

Bill Lawson was first place winner in the Teenage Road-E-O driving contest held by the Lewis County Jaycees and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Nancy Meislohn won first place in the MLEC essay contest; Danny Hensley won second place.

Louis Ferrell enlisted in the United States Army.

Gene Sisco was elected cub master of Pack 322.

Funeral services were held for Clifford Carroll, Jr., 22; Gennette Garrison, 22; and for Michael Henley, infant.

Yogie Spears advertised “Good news for Lewis County. Purity is here. This fine milk you have heard so much about is now available to you.”

“The Bramble Bush,” starring Richard Burton and Barbara Rush, and “Francis Joins the WACs,” starring Donald O’Connor and Julie Adams, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatre.

May 0\3, 1973

Lewis County had an estimated per capita personal income of $2,343 in 1970, according to a publication released by UT Knoxville.

Dr. Harvey Anderson announced that Anderson Clinic would be open 24-hours a day for emergency service.

W.C. Keaton, Jr. was promoted to Administrative Manager of the Women’s Footwear Manufacturing Division of Genesco.

A total of 9.35 inches of rain fell in April. 3.30 inches of this amount fell in an hour period on April 20 causing flash flooding over the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Andy Baker announced the birth of their son, Matthew Lee.

Funeral services were held for Robert Barber, 65; Maude Goodman, 76; and for Pauline Sims, 46.

Big Dip Café advertised free home delivery. A five-pound bag of flour cost $0.47 at IGA. Fresh strawberries were $0.55 per half pint at Piggly Wiggly.

“Now You See Him, Now You Don’t,” starring Kurt Russell and Cesar Romero, and “Puppet on a Chain,” starring Alisair MacLean, were Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

May 5, 1983

County Executive W.T. Rasbury proclaimed the week of May 8-15 as Soil Stewardship Week in Lewis County.

More than 95% of Tennessee’s high school seniors passed the state’s proficiency test. Lewis County exceeded the figure with 99% of LCHS seniors passing the state test.

1,581 applications were taken in the labor survey conducted by City and County officials for a major manufacturer interested in locating a plant in Hohenwald.

Due to an increase in hydraulic hose orders, Dana Corporation announced that they would recall 40 people from lay-off status.

South Central Bell announced that in May 1983 Hohenwald would have “touch-tone” calling featuring telephones with push buttons instead of rotary dials. The service would be offered on an optional basis.

Tony Turnbow was awarded First Prize in the Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition at the UT College of Law in Knoxville. The award was presented for his paper on copyright protection for video games.

Andrea Johnston and Jamie Clifton were crowned Miss and Mr. LCMS at the Spring Fling sponsored by the Lewis County Parent-Teachers Organization.

A total of 14 inches of rain fell during April, giving Lewis County a surplus of over 9 inches.

Greg Brewer, who found a tagged balloon at Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club, received a letter form Mike Hass who released the balloon at High Ridge Elementary School in House Springs, MO.

The following births were announced: Cortni Layne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Holt; and Steven Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Carroll.

Funeral services were held for Luther Clifton, 66; and for John Mathis, 79.

Morrow’s Bi-Rite and Foodtown advertised that they would give away free love Mother’s Day corsages to the first 100 customers who purchased $30 or more during Mother’s Day week.

“Pink Motel,” starring Phyllis Diller and Slim Pickens, and “Cinderella 2000,” starring Catharine Burgess and Jay B. Larson, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

May 6, 1993

Channel 2 News announced they would visit Hohenwald on May 12 as part of its 20 cities in 20 days “Hometown Tour.”

City and county officials were briefed about the state’s plans to take a traveling museum to all 95 counties in advance of Bicentennial celebrations in 1996.

Fourteen Lewis County Senior Citizens participated in the District Senior Games held April 26, 1993 at CSCC—bringing home 44 ribbons from the event. The following seniors won first place ribbons: Bill Ashley, Lester Bartley, Luella Carroll, Ruby Carroll, Don Leach, Lucille Leach, Ruby Naimota, and Roger Young.

Dr. Roger Bouldin was presented a plaque of appreciation by Tony Turnbow during the May 1993 meeting of the Lewis County Historical Society. Dr. Bouldin was a charter member of the organization and served as president for many years.

Lori Hinson won first place in a statewide literary contest held by the Tennessee Association of Non-Public Academic Schools Association.

The LCHS tennis teams completed their season with a perfect record. The boys team had a 7 to 0 record, and the girls had a 6 to 0 record.

The LCHS baseball team won over Marshall County, 4 to 2, to tie with Marshall County for the district championship. Both teams completed the season with a 9 to 1 district record, their only loss to each other.

Jim Downs and Danny White caught a 24-pound white catfish while fishing at the ponds between Linden and Hohenwald.

Tim Bates caught a 6-pound largemouth bass and Dennis Skelton caught an 8 3/4-pound largemouth bass while fishing in Lewis County on May 2.

The annual Maifest Festival was planned for May 8. Merchant drawings would be held throughout the day.

Pat Choate was elected president of the Lewis County Historical Society.

Phillip Chilton enlisted in the U. S. Navy.

The following births were announced: Logan Chase, son of Ricky and Tara Barber; Robert Wesley, son of Robert Turnbo, Jr. and Trista Bailey; Zachary Clayton, son of Eddie and Renee Ray; Chrissy Lane, daughter of Chris Marlin and Penny Rogers; and Benjamin Alexander, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brewer.

A birthday party honoring Finis and Hazel Spears was held at their home. Mr. Spears turned 86 on March 7, and Mrs. Spears turned 81 on March 3.

Funeral services were held for Madison Gladden, 71; and for Dorothy Tuttle, 92.

May 1, 2003

Two teens were charged with 18 counts of vandalism in connection with the BB gun shooting of business, home, and vehicle windows.

The Lewis County Historical Society planned a May 5th walking tour of the historic district as part of a membership drive.

Judy Negri was named LCMS Teacher of the Year.

The following births were announced: Jayden Alexa, daughter of Chad and Melissa Spears; and Zachary Michael, son of Michael and Kim Holder.

Paul and Marie Miller celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception at the First United Pentecostal Church.

Funeral services were held for Ellen Newbell, 95; Billy Peden, 75; Wilma Tatum, 53; and for Ashley Yates, 20.

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.