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.
To search from the items on this page only:
To search the entire website:
July 25 through the years
1925, Horsepasture 4-H Club; 1950, Roy Mitchell has area’s third diagnosis of polio; 1975, furniture-maker Clyde Gilley gets a patent. (PHOTO: Martinsville-Henry County Memorial Hospital)
July 24 through the years
1925, Kiwanis Club at Patrick Springs Resort; 1950, U.S. Secret Service investigates in Martinsville; 1975, Daniel Creek Water Company; 2000, new construction includes Red Birch Country Market, Jameson Inn and Nautica expansion. (PHOTO: Martinsville High School cheerleaders passing by Wampler Drugs in a 1955 Chevrolet convertible.)
July 23 through the years
1925, Kodaks and Brownies at Kearfott; 1950, classified ads paint the local business picture; 1975, two teenagers charged in theft of safe. (PHOTO: furniture-making)
July 22 through the years
1925, Citywide prayer meeting at Anderson Memorial Presbyterian; 1950, Club Billard Parlor and other ads; 1975, safe recovered; 2000, 33 houses being improved. (PHOTO: E.L. Williamson’s covered coal tipple on the southeastern corner of Broad Street, 1906)
July 21 through the years
1925, power plant runs on reduced hours during low water time; 1950, Marie Flood has second local diagnosis of polio; 1975, indictments against Eddie Lee Shanghai Thomas; 2000, Salvation Army helps double over the year before. (PHOTO: A.M. Dudley’s ice house on South Bridge Street near the railroad underpass, 1910.)
July 20 through the years
1925, business lose power due to low water at plant; 1950, highway engineer Frank A. Howard; 1975, First National Bank of Bassett’s local history book; 2000, Blue Ridge Manor. (PHOTO: Hordsville built in 1836 by George Rusty Hairston II.)
July 19 through the years
1925, Martinsville base-ball team wins 16 of 19; 1950, Korean War means significantly more nylon orders for local plants; 1975, Sam Craig’s public garden spot; 2000, Larry & Alley. (PHOTO: Greenwood plantation house)
July 18 through the years
1925, Eskimo Party and spelling bee for 4-H clubs; 1950, Korean War brings local rationing of sugar; 1975, string of home invasions; 2000, BB&T’s new advisory board. (PHOTO: Rough and Ready Mill in 1920s.)
July 17 through the years
1925, construction begins on Lester swimming pool; 1950, Jimmy Bucker, 4, gets first local diagnosis of polio; 1975, petitions against principal who paddled boy; 2000, Jimmie’s Discount in Bassett. (PHOTO: 1933 view of Fieldale; Waller home is right of center between factory and Smith River.)
July 16 through the years
1925, “Fighting in France” at Hamilton Theatre; 1950, new city parking lot on Fayette; 1975, Roses Dollar Days; 2000, Fish Clinton’s art. (PHOTO: Wallers Ford in Fieldale)
July 15 through the years
1925, screens at resort well received; 1950, vocational arts and work shop on Brown Street; 1975, new houses at Carver Estates; 2000, Rev. Ron Mateer’s first month at FUMC. (PHOTO: Threshing in 1917 using Lafe Prillaman’s threshing box and Mastern Martin’s wood-burning steam engine.)
July 14 through the years
1925, BPW meet under oak tree in Preston; 1950, panic-buying on tires; 1975, Bryant’s Sport Center; 2000, Patrick Henry Development Council. (PHOTO: Thomas Eggleston 1945 Henry County 4H Baby Beef Show)
July 12 through the years
1925, financing for Castle Hall; 1950, local men drafted for Korean War; 1975, the Branch family’s miniature Mack truck; 2000, James Newbill killed in house fire. (PHOTO: Starling Avenue dry bridge over Norfolk and Western tracks)