July 02, 1953

The main news for the week was that many Hohenwald businesses planned to be closed for the Independence Day holiday. The newspaper reported, “From all indications Hohenwald will be a quiet city on Saturday, July 4th… If you will need groceries over the weekend you had better lay them in store Thursday or Friday, for they will be closed as tight as a jug Saturday…all garages will be closed also, so keep this in mind.”

Jesper Jensen was serving in Europe with the U. S. Air Force.

Rodney Floied returned home aboard the hospital ship USS Consolation after 10 months of duty in Korea.

John Brewer was promoted in the Navy to the rank of gunner’s mate third class.

Ollie Spears, Jr. completed a course in medical aidmen at the Eta Jima Specialist School in Japan.

Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Campbell celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Funeral services were held for James Staggs, 67.

V. A. Brownlow’s Federated Store advertised that it would be open all day on Saturday, July 4th.

“Voodoo Tiger,” starring Johnny Weismuller, and “The Lone Hand,” starring Joel McCrea and Barbara Hale, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre.

July 04, 1963

Work on the 109,000 sq. ft. expansion to Lewis Products Company plant was underway and scheduled for completion by September 27. The company hoped to start production operations in the addition by the end of October and be in full production by early 1964. The additional facilities would employ an additional 100 to 150 employees.

Dr. Edgar Akin joined the staff of Lewis County Hospital.

Cecil Floyd was elected commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

The lawn of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Plummer on Park Avenue South was named “Lawn of the Week” by the Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up committee.

Eight rains in the last fourteen days of June brought a total of 4.42 inches of precipitation to Lewis County. The high temperature of the month recorded at 103 degrees on June 10. There were six days during the month when the temperature reached or exceeded 100 degrees. The low for the month was 57 degrees recorded on June 3.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Couch were honored with a surprise home warming at their new home on West Second Street.

Mrs. H. R. Brady was honored for her 70th birthday with a dinner at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club.

Brother and Mrs. J. B. Campbell celebrated their 60th anniversary with an open house at the home of their son Melvin in Alabama.

Funeral services were held for Doc Baker; V. A. Brownlow, 70; Shirley Hankins, 21; and for Melvin James, Sr., 67.

Kidd Auto Parts advertised “For your summer driving safety, we now have 100% nylon, steel buckle seat belts. As well as a complete line of automotive accessories and parts.”

Joe Lynch advertised his purchase of Rester’s Service Shop at the corner of Main and Court Street.

W. B. Hinson & R. C. Hinson advertised that Tee-Off Miniature Golf was now open off Linden Highway just beyond Thompson’s Service Station. Admission was 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children under 12.

“Operation Bikini,” starring Tab Hunter, Frankie Avalon, and Scott Ready, and “The Three Stooges in Orbit” were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

July 05, 1973

A Junior-Senior life saving course was taught at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Course.

Ernest and Kenneth Stewart of Columbia were the first place winners in the second canoe race sponsored by the Lewis County Jaycees.

The Lewis County Civic Club announced that Handshaker’s Delight, the 1972 World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse, would be on exhibition at the 14th annual Horse Shoe scheduled for July 12 at Memorial Park.

The high temperature for June was 96 degrees on June 14 and the low was recorded at 52 degrees on June 7 and June 28. The total amount of rainfall for the month was 4.19 inches.

Richard Lay was promoted in the Marine Corps to the rank of corporal.

Jerry Holt was serving on a six-month deployment to the Middle East with the Navy aboard the USS Stribbling.

“The Little Cigar Mob,” starring Angel Tompkins, and “Bluebeard,” starring Richard Burton were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

July 07, 1983

W. C. Keaton was appointed a member of the court of the Judiciary, a 14-member board appointed to hear charges brought against the judges of the state.

Lewis County Hospital held a birthday party June 26 to celebrate 20 years of service to the community.

The Sherrif’s Department found and destroyed five patches of marijuana located in the Pond Creek area of Lewis County.

Ruby Staggs retired from Genesco after 37 years of service.

Mark McCann returned home after a six-month Navy deployment in the Mediterranean aboard the USS Kidd.

Steven Staggs returned home after a Navy deployment off the coast of Beirut aboard the USS Guadalcanal.

James Whitehead returned home after a four-month Marine deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Drs. Jerry and Paula Hinson announced the birth of their son, Adam Bryant.

Gene and Johnnie Durham advertised their purchase of B & M Grocery on Summertown Highway.

July 8, 1993

Lewis County marked its 150th birthday with celebrations held July 3 that included LCHS alumni pancake breakfast, a parade with Nannie Bunch serving as Grand Marshall, the ringing of a bell that had been run at the end of World Wars I and II and during the 1976 Bicentennial, a ribbon cutting and musical performance at the Wilhelm Platz Band Stand.

A group of Lewis County citizens sought reversal of the hospital provider number change that allowed both Perry Memorial Hospital and Lewis Community Hospital to operate under one provider number. Residents charged that the sunshine law had been violated as neither local officials nor most Hospital Advisory Board members that the Board of Licensing Health Care Facilities held a meeting concerning the operation of the local hospital.

First Citizens Bank was awarded the Volunteer State Student Funding Corporation’s 1992 Community Service Award for outstanding community service by participating in the Tennessee Educational Asset Management Program and for providing access to educational loans for Lewis County students.

A Hohenwald man faced charges after allegedly breaking into and setting fire to a cabin located in the Tablerock Resort area of Lewis County.

The latest “Swiss Up” for Hohenwald took place on South Maple Street with the restructuring of two buildings owned by Mary Mayfield.

Collin Townsend was named king in the 7 to 10-month old division in the Perry County Summertime Pageant.

The following births were announced: Brenton Sean, son of John and Angie Atkins; and Joseph Clevland III, son of Joseph and Patty Righter Jr.

Eula Baker was honored for her 90th birthday with a celebration held at the West Side Nursing Home in Decaturville.

Funeral services were held for Dewey Durham, 90; Samuel Escue II, 25; Charles Fite, 90; and for Annie Trull, 76.

July 03, 2003

The City of Hohenwald received a $152,992 grant to assist in infrastructure improvements for Wedlake Industries.

The South Central Career Center was offering a series of free job readiness workshops called “Employment Safari—It’s a Jungle Out There.”

The Hohenwald Police Department and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department were conducting “Click It or Ticket” and “Booze It and Lose It” roadblocks July 3 through 31st.

Joe Garner, Lewis County Trustee, was featured in the “A Closer Look” column.

Ronnie Taylor retired from the United States Postal Service after 18 years of service.

Elvis Williams retired from the United States Postal Service after 27 years of service.

Jeff Hill was recognized for 25 years of continuous service with Eaton Global Hose.

Larry Leigh was recognized for 30 years of continuous service with Eaton Global Hose.

The following births were announced: Clayton Walker, son of Christopher and Lachelle Staggs; Victor Coleman, son of Tracy and Laura Luna; and Emily Paige, daughter of Jason and Chanda Graves.

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Willis celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception at their home.

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Turnbow celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception at the Blondy Church of God fellowship hall.

Funeral services were held for Jason Bates II, 45; Alton McBride, 81; Viola Knight, 89; Chastina Skelton, infant; and for Zula Turnbow, 76.

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.