August 25 through the years

100 Years ago – 1925

Martinsville Western Union Telegraph Office Manager Miss Elam O. Williams was telling her friends that she was about to take an extended leave to return to her hometown of Troy, N.C. She had had a difficult year, and the recent death of her mother had her on the verge of a nervous collapse.

75 years ago – 1950

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that Martinsville’s population was 17,210.

The Henry County Industrial Exposition sponsored by the Kiwanis Club entered its fourth night, with an attendance of 2,100. Entertainment included the Fieldale Quartet, Ernestine Stultz, Hazel Whitlow and the Paul Zimmerman orchestra.

50 years ago – 1975

The Martinsville-Henry County Exchange Club sponsored its first fair, with a midway with 25 rides and hundreds of exhibitions. Admission was $1. Opening day got off to a bumpy start with only half the rides arrived and the rides that were there nearly blocked off by a trailer truck loaded with a partially assembled ride. Nonetheless, hundreds attended.

25 years ago - 2000

Tommy Grimes became the manager of the Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Spencer.

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