June 15 through time

100 Years ago – 1925

   “Everybody knows Bassett and how it is growing by leaps and bounds,” reads an ad by H.A. Ford & Co., Inc. Agents. “This is an opportune time to own real estate in this growing town at your own price.” Fourteen lots fronting on the main street between the Valley Veneer Company’s plant and Bassett which had belonged to J.V. Webb, who was leaving town, were sold at auction. Terms were 1-4 Cash, Balance 6, 12 & 18 months. At the sale a new gold Elgin watch was raffled off.

Patrick Springs Hotel opened for the season. Its new owner, Will Hamilton, had given the resort improvements such as a water pumping plant to supply plentiful running water; new beds; and an electric lighting outfit, not yet finished, that would light the premises including the walk from the hotel to the spring. The bowling alley, which had become unusable, was being repaired, too.

At the City Council meeting, a committee was formed to look into paving Mulberry and Fayette streets. Mulberry Street residents had applied for a bitulithic pavement which would be paid for two-thirds by the owners of adjoining properties and one-third by the town.

75 years ago – 1950

Martinsville police reported that they made 135 arrests in May compared with 150 in April. There were 46 drunk cases, 30 traffic cases, 16 assault cases, nine disturbance cases and two each of driving drunk possession of illegal whisky and petit larceny.

50 years ago – 1975

The largest horse show in the history of Henry County was held for 3 days: more than 200 horses competing for $8,050 in prizes. It was held at Fontaine Field.

25 years ago – 2000

Tultex Corp., which previously had employed 2,500 people in Martinsville and Henry County, had gotten down to just 11 employees over the span of less than a year. Within two weeks, five of those 11 would be laid off. The company had declared bankruptcy on Dec. 3.

— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.

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