August 17 MHC through the years

100 Years ago – 1925

 Where was the community of Cambria? The community column in the Henry Bulletin gives information on residents of Cambria, including Alpha Arrington (went to work as a clerk in Welch); Maggie, Alpha and Nora Arrington, Lucy Walker and Byron Bradbury (had a splendid time at the Fiddler’s convention in Blacksburg); Alma Austin (visited Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Bradbury); Ula Perdue (visiting her aunt and uncle Mr. and Mrs. Dave Guynn); Thelma Shelton (visiting her sister Mrs. Geo. Cahill) and Martha Turner (visiting her sister Mr. and Mrs. Tom Spencer and her brother Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Turner). Also, an ice-cream supper was held at Ellet School house.

75 years ago – 1950

Local construction was being held up because of national strikes in the cement industry. G.T. Lester Jr. of Lester Lumber Co. told the Martinsville Bulletin that he expected the matter go grow even worse by 6 months. Ray Dodson of Dodson Lumber Company said his projects had been held up for a year. Beverly Parrish of William’s Ready-Mix Cement said that his company has not been able to get definite dates of shipments. Frank Hill of Helms and Hill said his company cannot get enough plaster, wallboard and lathes. E.B. Hawkins of Building Supply Company said boxcars are not available for shipping. J.R. McMillion’s Cinder Block Company had been shut down for 2 weeks. David Davis of S-D Supply Company said his company had not had cement in 3 months.

50 years ago – 1975

Pilot William Morris Compton, 58, of Bassett walked away from a crash landing of his Cessna 140 single-engine plane in a field in Oak Level. The airplane came to a rest upside down at a 45-degree angle in the field. Compton walked to Leonard Clark’s farmhouse and was taken to the hospital. The plane was undamaged except for some dents and part of the propeller broken off.

Several thousand spectators attended the national motorcross event at Lake Sugartree Raceway.

The Martinsville-Henry County Oilers won their second victory in the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, New Mexico.

25 years ago - 2000

Heilig-Meyers furniture stores filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to close two stores locally, one in Martinsville and the other in Collinsville, They had two dozen employees between them.

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