May 19 through the years

100 Years ago – 1925

A campaign which would have two women, ladies of Martinsville, winning trips to California ran May 19 through July 20. The campaign was sponsored by merchants of Martinsville, and they and their relatives were not eligible to enter. Each merchant or businessman issuing voted in the campaign would give 100 votes on each dollar received either as cash sales or received on accounts. Votes would be issued on all cash sales and collections. Special votes would be given from time to time on certain items, but no merchant could give more than 500 votes during the campaign. Women were encouraged to get friends and relatives who weren’t entering the contest to pass along their votes to them. The trip would be along the world-famous Sunset Route of the Southern Pacific Railroad, “oil burning locomotives – no dust, no cinders, no smoke.” Representatives of the Southern Pacific Railroad were at Kearfott’s Drug Store to show pictures, explain the trip and answer questions.

75 years ago – 1950

A metal glider was the epitome of restful and stylish front-porch sitting. Henry County Furniture Company sold metal gliders, or glider and chair combinations, for $18.50 and up. Metal chairs cost $4.95 and up, and 18-inch metal tables cost $3.50. Deck chairs with striped canvas backs and seats cost $3.50. Established in 1908 by J.W. Townes and B.M. Townes, Henry County Furniture Co. was on Public Square.

25 years ago - 2000

Henry County Administrator Sid Clower announced to the Henry County Board of Supervisors that he thought the Martinsville and Henry County governments should merge. Having two governments over such as small geographic and population area was a luxury, he said.

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