Looking Back …
A look at the people and happenings of the area over the past 100 years
If you have information, pictures, artifacts, old company or church newsletters, family letters or anything else that sheds light on life in MHC-Patrick through time, please consider sharing them with the museum - either lending or gifting us the originals, or copies.
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April 9 through the years
1926, watching a Ridgeway demolition; 1951, seventh-grade veteran who had lied about his age; 1976, wages at the towel mill; 2001, Sportsman’s Club helps fire department. (PHOTO: Williams Store in 1940s in the Pythian Building.)
April 8 through the years
1926, weird sandwich recipes; 1951, first City science fair; 1976, bowling winners; 2001, mourning Dale Earnhardt through souvenir sales. (PHOTO: Shackelford Hospital 1921-1947 - on Church Street where TAD Space is now)
First week of April, 1926, 1951, 1976 & 2001
1926, factory death; 1976, local truckers on strike; 2001, Gospel Connection store; 1926, USDA’s free movies; 1976, judge’s lecture to teen drivers; 1926, books for Piedmont Christian Institute’s library; 1976, archaeological dig. (PHOTO: 1898 Choral Club gives Old Folks Concert.)
Fourth week of March, 1926, 1951, 1976 & 2001
Summit Street developed in 1920’s - price controls in 1951 - uptown post office in jeopardy - preserving Primitive Baptist hymns - Mondays in court for Drunk in Public cases - CPFilms gives 206 computers to county schools - Pvt. James L. Franklin killed in Korean War. (PHOTO: Post Office on Church Street, with a clock and a newsstand at the corner opposite, in 1953.)
Third Week in March, 1926, 1951, 1976, 2026
1926, KKK group travels to Danville event; 1951, City’s one-way traffic begins; 1976, Rosalyn Carter at Dutch Inn; 2001, Dutch Inn fire. (PHOTO: Dutch Inn windmill in 1972)
March 18 through the years
1926, “Greatest of All Lecture Series”; 1951, Harry Tuggle wins GCV Daffodil Show; 1976, 54% drop in food stamp recipients; 2001, Sitestar Internet with “First-Time User Specialists.” (PHOTO: Bassett Swinging Bridge)
March 17 through the years
1926, discoveries among debris; 1951, J.D. Hooker appointed; 1976, county landfill planning; 2001, Bulldogs state champions. (PHOTO: Claude Kirks and his son Harry Kirks, who lived in the brick house across from the Dodge Store in Bassett Forks. They are Delin Kirks' father and grandfather.)
March 16 through the years
1926, Elizabeth Marshall, Public Stenographer; 1951, more buildings for Fieldcrest; 1976, “slums are not slummy enough'“; 2001, laid-off VMNH workers return. (PHOTO: Fieldcrest Mill)
March 15 through the years
1926, Wigwam Billiard Parlor; 1926, work resumes at dam; 1951, 1,700 sign petition; 2001, MHS tests out SOLs online. (PHOTO: Church Street in the 1920s)
March 14 through the years
1926, gas tax; 1951, Whittle sworn in to Supreme Court of Appeals; 1976, Clay Earles back at track after heart attack; 2001, Clyde Williams passes away.
March 13 through the years
1926, taking liberties with the boss’s car; 1951, most lawyers to to Richmond for Whittle; 1976, state championship for Bulldogs, and local Saturday-night dances; 2001, a crackdown on dance halls.
March 12 through the years
1926, American Legion plant sale; 1951, Red Cross fundraising; 1976, Nashville Grass and Osborne Brothers in Bassett; 2001, Sunbelt Business Brokers, Mullins Custom Exhaust and a visit by Mark Warner. (PHOTO: Church Street looking west)
March 11 through the years
1926, “Pillars and Perils of Democracy”; 1951, Economy Shop'; 1976, Credit Women International; 2001, reduced hours for furniture employees. (PHOTO: Corner of Starling Avenue and Spring Street, home of Dr. Harvey Price)
March 10 through time
1926, flu epidemic; 1951, Explorer Troop and Scout Troop 75 starts at Elks Home; 1976, lecture on transcendental meditation; 2001, census. (PHOTO: Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Brewers Picnic Tavern 1 mile south of Martinsville on Highway 220)
March 9 through the years
1926, KKK meeting; 1951, stolen funeral sign'; 1976, Kroger construction; 2001, Piedmont Arts workshop. (PHOTO: Old Kroger, next to the Rives Theatre)
March 8 through the years
1926, local store credit system; 1951, Al Waleski replaced by Tom Burnette and W.K. Putney; 1976, Bill Prillaman’s Snow Creek Airport; 2001, staff awards for Tultex coverage. (PHOTO: 1941 Franklin and Main streets. Globman's Dept. Store, A and P Supermarket, Townes Building and mostly out of sight, Banner tobacco warehouse)
March 7 through the years
1926, Thomas Jefferson Hotel plans revealed; 1951, MHC Career Day; 1976, 4-foot-long striped bass for Jerry Rosenbaum; 2001, Moorefield’s Cleaners. (PHOTO: Hotel Jefferson)
March 6 through the century
1926, Patrick County apples; 1951, half the women asked agreed to serve on jury; 1976, big win for Bulldogs; 2001, MS Walk. (PHOTO: Chatmoss plantation home entrance hall. House burned in 1928.)
March 5 through the years
1926, apple growers’ trip; 1951, hot-wired and stolen; 1976, City Council candidates; 2001, pageant winners Devon Robinson, Amanda Herndon, Indya Penn and Lauren Martin. (PHOTO: Presbyterian Church on Church Street facing Broad Street)
March 4 through the years
1926, death at factory'; 1951, booklets on atomic war dropped from airplane; 1976, disco; 2001, Commonwealth Centre. PHOTO: Rives Theatre