Nov. 2 through the years
100 Years ago – 1925
Advertised at C.P. Kearfott & Son: “Unheard of Values In Columbia Graphophones – This offer good only while our present stock lasts. New Model No. 450. Special-$100.00. New Columbia Model 450, $175. New four-spring motor with New Non-Set Automatic Stop and new Reproducer. Shelves with complete set of albums for records and an extra record capacity in the back of the cabinet. Finished in Brown Mahogany with all exposed metal parts in nickel. Exclusive tone-control leaves. Height, 46 1.2 inches. Width, 21 ¾ inches. Depth, 20 ½ inches. Monthly payments if you want …” (Developed in 1886, a graphophone is a business dictation machine that uses wax cylinders to record and play back sound.)
75 years ago – 1950
For sale at JC Penney: 7-inch “character” dolls with mohair hair, eyes that close and moveable arms and head, $1 ($1.39 in today’s dollars); Junior boys’ corduroy Jimmie O’alls, $1.98; 2-piece Chenille bath sets, $1.98; girls’ plaid dresses, $1 and $2; 81- by 108-inch sheets, $2.29; women’s nylon panties, white with elastic band legs, $1.25; 35- by 35-inch silk squares, $1.37; women’s rayon knit gowns, $1; women’s soft luxurious Chenille robes, in colors red, blue, aqua or melon, $3.44.
50 years ago – 1975
Lake Sugar Tree Motocross Track in Axton finished its first season. It named two turns after riders who each had broken a leg on “his” turn: Peter Lamppu and Roger DeCoster. Avery B. Mills was the track president. The track had hosted one of the 10 National 500 races and received the American Motorcycle Association’s nomination to host an international competition, one of 10 Trans-AMA events.
25 years ago - 2000
Shumate & Jessie Furniture ad: “Attention! We Want To Be Your Furniture Store! If You Are Currently Dealing With A Store That’s Going Out of Business, WE WANT TO MEET YOU!” The ad advertised console TVs, ranges, chest freezers (“In Time For Deer Season!”} and a closeout sale on all remaining dishwashers (“Think Christmas! Let Us Help With The Clean-Up!”). The ad pointed out that it was a family-owned business started in 1958. You could also go there to pay your power bill. The store was at 30 Franklin St., now home to NCI.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.