1925, Magnavox Radios at Kearfott; 1950, Patrick HEnry Music Ass’n; 1975, “1776” musical; 2000, landlord charged with involuntary manslaughter. (PHOTO: Oct. 29, 1909, Glidden Tour along the National Highway from NY to Atlanta, eight gas buggies and 20 people showing that cars were safe and reliable.)

1925, brother killed while hunting; 1950, city’s rock quarry; 2000, worries about Fieldcrest. (PHOTO: 1928 schoolhouse)

1925, meeting of Henry County Colored Teachers; 1950, Armistice Day party; 2000, honor for Figsboro School. (PHOTO: 1975, buildings at Church and Broad being torn down)

1925, “Are You Fit to Marry” and “The Dangerous Crowd” at the theater; 1950, Christmas Cheer gets started; 2000, Larry and Alley’s Christmas Extravaganza. (PHOTO: Standard Garments, a division of Jobbers Pants Company)

1925, rooms for rent; 1950, stays of execution for the Martinsville Seven; 2000, Shorty Severance is Veteran of the year. (PHOTO: Norfolk and Western Railroad over Reed Creek)

1925, County Treasurer visits communities to collect; 1950, polio for 3-year-old; 2000, Don Lawson and Phil Burnette on elections. (PHOTO: Ruffner Institute, est. 1877 on corner of Brown St. and Cleveland Ave., first for all grades, later became Central Grammar School.)

1925, “Are You Fit to Marry”; 1950, special shopping hours; 1975, S&H Green Stamps at King's; 2000, Nokia flip phone at Circuit City. (PHOTO: Martinsville School, built 1904, replacing Ruffner Institute)

1925, Jackson-Medwin store; 1950, American Education Week rally; 1975, Pastor Mrs. Rachel Waller honored; 2000, furniture going-out-of-business sale responses. (PHOTO: 1955, fire at Pythian Building)

1925, ladies’ Satinette bloomers and princess slips; 1950, 4,000 gallons of mash destroyed; 2000, video ear inspection. (PHOTO: 1940s Church and Bridge Streets, buildings were in what is now the post office parking lot)

1925, Boosters Club; 1950, Patrick Henry Music Association; 1975, Lake Lanier drained for cleaning; 2000, Sara Lee to expand. (PHOTO: Globman's and Chief Tassel Building)

1925, George Divers Post of American Legion; 1950, Civic Music Week; 1975, 1.8% inflation in one month; 2000, hauling away junked cars. (PHOTO: Gulf Station in front, home of H.C. Lester in back)

1925, Woman’s Club supports school library; 1950, new execution dates for Martinsville Seven; 1975, cassette recorders and silverplate cranberry set; 2000, Sharon Dodson. (PHOTO: Masons in Martinsville Plaza)

1925, Hollingsworth’s Unusual Candies; 1950, death penalty for rape cases in Va. Supreme Court; 1975, Doyle outraises Goode but Goode wins; 2000, Reeboks. (PHOTO: Roxy, Fields and Legget)

1925, Graphophones for sale; 1950, character dolls, O’alls and Chenille bath sets; 1975, Lake Sugar Tree Motocross; 2000, Shumate & Jessie Furniture. (PHOTO: Russell's Drive-In, Bassett)

1925, “A new Step-in”; 1950, Fort Trial explosion kills three; 1975, deadly house fire; 2000, pumpkin-dropping competition at Bassett High School. (PHOTO: Pannill Knitting Company)

1925, sixth-graders raise money for classroom curtains; 1950, Hallowe’en party at Courthouse; 1975, deputies find Marvin Rigney’s stolen poultry; 2000, Pillowtex head quits. (PHOTO: Piedmont Creamery Company on corner of Moss and Church)

1925, church ladies hold fundraiser Hallowe’en party; 1950, stray bullet hits woman in Bassett cafe; 1975, Community Hospital for sale; 2000, awards for Stanley’s YA Colors and Reflections of the 20th Century lines. (PHOTO: Planter's Tobacco Warehouse)

1925, new bus line between Martinsville and Roanoke; 1950, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church votes for new construction; 1975, citizens ask City Council for leash law. (PHOTO: downtown Martinsville)