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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May 18 across the century
1925, spring drive for fall fair begins; 1950, Ridgeway Sportsmen form to construct lake west of Ridgeway; 1975, Cascade man thrown through window of Waffle House in Collinsville; 2000, traffic light for Mulberry/Spruce/Jefferson. (PHOTO: Downtown Martinsville)
May 17 across the century
1925, silks and laces for commencement dresses; 1950, Philpott residents told to leave by July 15; 1975, Gov. Mills Godwin Jr. addresses MHC Chamber; 2000, PSA told it had to fix Sanville Utilities’ problems. (PHOTO: Ayers Sandwich Shop)
May 16 through the years
1925, “Whis-key unlocks the doors that lead to the poorhouse, penitentiary, and the grave”; 1950, Rotary Club sponsors Virginia Orchestra; 1975, Gayle Adkins Compton is Mother of the Year; 2000, Mark Tosh supplies Olympics with metal detectors. (PHOTO: Collinsville Shopping Center)
May 15 through the years
1925: Martinsville Literary Club’s comedy of three generations - Hoop Skirts, Bustles and Flappers; 1950, mail delivery cut back to just once a day; 1975, Carver Parkway changed to dead-end road; 2000, Rumley’s building torn down. (PHOTO: Fontaine School, 1960s)
May 14 through time
1925, Patrick Springs Hotel sold at auction; 1950, Mitchell Tractor Co. on Lester Street; 1975, high technology for Henry County law enforcement; 2000, Diana Echols’ foster children and her own children. (PHOTO: Fields and Legget)
May 13 through the years
1925, C.W. Holt predicts “a Summer of Gay Colors”; 1950, weiner roast for Brownie Troop 16; 1975, improvements for county’s dog pound; 2000, Lowe’s opens on Commonwealth. (PHOTO: 1906, E.L. Wiliamson’s covered coal tipple on southeastern corner of Broad Street)
May 12 through time
1925, bad car wrecks happened on Sundays'; 1950, Company B growing; 1975, West Martinsville Jaycees was the fifth Jaycees in the area; 2000, Ted Woody, Lacy Compton and Mary Ruth Brandt step in for Steve Harris. (PHOTO: Fayette Street Parking Lot)
May 11 through time
1925, lodge near Roundabout Club for Dokies; 1950, open house for Globman’s new store; 1975, cable TV system in Martinsville; 2000, Tobacco Commission money for PHCC. (PHOTO: 1959, First Presbyterian adds steeple)
May 10 through the years
1925, Better Homes Week; 1950, job openings; 2000, shooting by uncle leaves girl blind; and hundreds attend 13-year-old’s funeral. (PHOTOS: Villa Heights 1960s)
May 9 through the years
1925, demonstration on cooking with wheat for high school’ 1950, raccoons; 1975, Canine Committee; 2000, Ronnie Harris dies of burns from grease-pit fire. (PHOTO: 1898, Choral Club gives Old Folks Concert)
May 8 through time
1925, Martinsville’s contribution to the Stone Mountain [Confederate] memorial in Georgia; 1950, Bassett contractor M.F. Mason builds Bassett-Walker Knitting Co. addition; 1975, Greasy Bend in Patrick County; 2000, children’s books by Pat Walker and Brenda Strickland. (PHOTO: Billy Roger “Cowboy” Penn riding his horse around Bassett)
May 7 through the years
1925, members of the Patrick-Henry Medical Society indulge in smoke-fest during meeting; 1950, quarantine on dogs during rabies scare; 1975, the Sprinkles with the Rockefellers; 2000, John Dowdy’s American College of Martial Arts. (PHOTO: Broad Street Baptist Church)
May 6 through the years
1925, closing exercises of Colored Grade School; 1950, Clean-Up, Paint-Up and Fix-Up Week; 1975, principal charged in paddling student; 2000, 13-year-old died while playing with revolver. (PHOTO: Public Square)
May 5 through time
1925, Citizens Military Training Camp; 1950, Revs. Hezekiah Morris and Chevis Horne work together for integration; 1975, first computerized tickets for City utility bills; 2000, Albert Harris students in bus wreck on way back from field trip.
(PHOTO: Foundry on Bridge Street)
May 4 through the years
1925, Max Berlin store to move into old First National Bank building; 1950, union voted down at Fielcrest Towel Mill; 1975, SCC tells Apco to tighten its belt; 2000, Stanley Furniture Co. struck by ILOVEYOU computer virus.
(PHOTO: Esso station where Dollar General is now)
May 3 through the years
1925, 52 cents for a pound of Maxwell House coffee; 1950, first rain in two weeks and a bad year for peaches; 1975, CROP Walk; 2000, U.S. Rep. Goode goes from Democrat to Independent.
(PHOTO: Lester Lumber Company)
May 2 through the years
1925, Globman’s remodeled; 1950, reckless driving charge on school bus driver; 1975, Druid Hills Baptist Church ready to open Martinsville Christian School; 2000, Gene Teague and Bruce Dallas and Ron Ferrill win City Council election.
(PHOTO: Sandy Beach Resort on the Smith River)
May 1 through time
1925, Roundabout Club; 1950, fined for cussing out a woman; 1975, three generations of the Gardner/McDowell family complete driver’s ed; 2000, Witcher Paint and Body shop fire.
(PHOTO: Henry Hotel 1921)
April 29 through time
1925, S. Heiner opens new store in Bassett; 1950, Bassett Section Rally for Boy Scouts; 1975, Jan Pinkston’s home decorating class; 2000, first online City Council form had 300 computers logged on to it.
(PHOTO: J.R. Smith home)