Looking Back …
A look at the people and happenings of the area over the past 100 years
If you have information, pictures, artifacts, old company or church newsletters, family letters or anything else that sheds light on life in MHC-Patrick through time, please consider sharing them with the museum - either lending or gifting us the originals, or copies.
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June 9 through time
1925, double wedding for Morris sisters of Bassett; 1950, firetruck-chasing a big problem in the city; 1975, firespotter William Hass Miles; 2000, time capsule for Class of 2000. (PHOTO: 1975, Bridge Street, buildings about to be torn down and replaced by the parking lot which is between the post office and the old courthouse)
June 8 through time
1925, dimity, percale and chambray at J.W. Minter’s store; 1950, free chest X-rays to check for tuberculosis; 1975, Marie Downey founds local La Leche League chapter, with Jane Iten as a charter member; 2000, new dugouts needed for Hooker Field. (PHOTO: 1955, fire at Pythian Building)
June 7 through time
1925, Ice Cream at Robert’s Drug Store; 1950, Mitchell Motors donates panel truck to MVFD; 1975, “High Pockets” is MHC Chamber’s mascot; 2000, Virginia Hall Stanley, Martinsville Democratic Party’s first woman chairman, dies. (PHOTO: 1950s Floyds Cash Store on Cleveland)
June 6 through the years
1925, Tobacco Growers Co-operative Ass’n; 1950, public hearing on plumbing code for city; 1975, Tom Noland recommends raising bus fare to help City budget; 2000, supervisor application forms found to be excessive. (PHOTO: 1940s Church Street looking east)
June 5 across the years
1925, downtown burglaries; 1950, Ellsworth Street Baptist Church building for sale, and Central Baptist is completed; 1975, three generations of Edd Redd family take driving class together; 2000, unlimited night and weekend minutes for cell phone. (PHOTO: Elllsworth Street Baptist Church in 1950 and now)
June 4 through the century
1925, walls and roof of Globman’s and Gravely’s Hardware cave in; 1950, graduation day; 1975, Lacy Manufacturing; 2000, Grayson’s Barber Shop. (PHOTO: 1940s Church and Bridge Streets, buildings were in what is now the post office parking lot)
June 3 through the years
1925, telephone poles going up between Bassett & Rocky Mount; 1950, Dr. Vickers’ sudden death; 1975, Morton Lester recommends laying off 10% of City workforce; 2000, Mary Anna Jackson & Mildred Lee UDC ceremony at cemetery. (PHOTO: 1938, Chief Tassel Building and Gulf Service Station on Church Street.)
June 2 through the years
1925, 70 new Martinsville members of Junior Order of United American Mechanics initiated; 1950, students testify on behalf of bus driver; 1975, City signs on for NASA windmill program; 2000, Bruce Dallas gives up Democratic credentials for Virgil Goode. (PHOTO: 1920s Roxy Theatre on Church Street)
June 1 through the years
1925, largest yet graduating class of MHS; 1950, Miss Ruth Williams re-appointed as trial justice; 1975, new American LaFrance fire truck for MFD; 2000, Mike Seidle elected chair. (PHOTO: Martinsville High School in the 1920s.)
May 31 through time
1925, Red Cross Clinic for Crippled Children and Adults; 1950, promotion for Ginny Richards (now Ginny Wray); 2000, perfect SAT score for Stefan Mlot of MHS. (PHOTO: Covered bridge near Martinsville, 1911)
May 30 through time
1925, hundreds of visitors for Dokies; 1950, Robert H. Haskell Jr. to buy the Bulletin; 1975, “Laura” by the Playmakers; 2000, Stee-Fers Flower Shop and Wedding Chapel. (PHOTO: Eating melons on Courthouse Square, by Hugh Kearfott)
May 29 through time
1925, classified ads include hunt for burlap bags; 1950, Lawrence Turner and John R. Baker heroes at school bus wreck; 1975, Greg Morton gets unique scholarship; 2000, Martinsville Garden Club Memorial Garden. (PHOTO: On Courthouse Square, by Mrs. Robert Gregory)
May 28 through the years
1925, John Scopes; 1975, doggie bags frowned upon; 2000, PHCC College Board. (PHOTO: Bridge Street looking toward courthouse, photo by R.P. Gravely)
May 27 through the years
1925, burglary at Townes’; 1950, American Legion Auxiliary sell red poppies; 1975, County Administrator Ed Longmire leaves parting shot; 2000, Dodson 5 and Henry County 200. (PHOTO: Liberty Heights pool)
May 26 through the years
1925, There was dispute over the Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association; 1950, Liberty Bell replica rings locally; 1975, Memorial Day service at Roselawn; 2000, new roof and steeple for Calvary Christian. (PHOTO: Police and Fire Departments, Globman’s and Leed’s)
May 25 through the years
1925, Piedmont Christian Institute; 1950, Citizens Committee to help Martinsville Seven; 1975, Foster Parent of the Year Frances Ramsey; 2000, Larry Aydlett honored. (PHOTO: CC Bassett house)
May 24 through the years
1925, George Stone’s cat nurses squirrels; 1950, public hearing on housing; 1975, burning houses on Brookdale; 2000, Jack Dalton dies. (PHOTO: 1934 Bassett and Craig Undertaking and Store)
May 23 through time
1925, L.L. Carter’s carburetor invention; 1950, 16,032 population but counting wasn’t finished yet; 1975, Globman’s Basement Store deals; 2000, Patriot Centre Fire and Emergency Medical Facility. (PHOTO: 1934 local ads)
May 22 through the years
1925: “Prohibition Officer Kills Another Man”; 1950, 60-day execution reprieve for Martinsville Seven; 1975, deputy convicted of larceny of whisky; 2000, “Mr. Mac” retires. (PHOTO: local ads from 1934)
May 21 through the years
1925, City restrictions on use of water in summer; 1950, Axton Baptist Church’s first service; 1975, Patrick Co. close to merging with MHC library; 2000, Crestar merges into SunTrust. (PHOTO: Fuller Church Parsonage 1940s)