June 16 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
Martinsville led the state, over more than 125 towns and cities, in raising money for the American Legion Endowment Campaign. Martinsville’s quota was $1,250, but the city’s Pannill Post No. 42 raised $1,850. Pannill Post also led in the membership drive, adding 107 new members to its roster.
75 years ago – 1950
Shoppers were urged to shop at Fagg’s Drug Store on Church & Walnut Street for Father’s Day gifts. The suggestions were golf balls, Ronson lighters, Gillette and Shick razors, Parker pens, pipes, smoking tobacco, shaving brushes and sets and Remington electric razors.
50 years ago – 1975
The Martinsville Fire Department was restoring its 1934 American LaFrance fire truck. It was built to specifications for $4,700 in 1934, and after restoration it was expected to be worth at least $25,000 in 1975. J. Lloyd Gregory was the fire chief. “No. 2,” as the truck was named, was a 500-gallon rotary pumper used extensively until 1957. The restoration was expected to cost just a couple of hundred dollars. The truck needed to be torn down, sanded and repainted, then have new decals put on it.
25 years ago - 2000
A construction and expansion project at Calvary Christian Church, on Mulberry Road across from Rives Road, including installing a new steeple.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.