1924, Martinsville Textile League team does well; 1949, open house for Chester Lane’s students; 1960, honor for Chevis Horne; rape accusation; Du Pont raises; 1974, six injured in factory explosion; 1999, Charity League cookbook released. (PHOTO: downtown, looking toward the Rives Theatre [at right] and First United Methodist Church.)

1924, Appalachian Power studies whether it’s worth it to run electricity to Martinsville; 1949, 103 MHS grads; 1960, Anne Jirgens blazes a trail; 1974, explosive threatens supervisors; 1999, free babysitting at MHS graduation, and Butch Hamlet wins his first Late Model Stock race. (PHOTO: Collinsville Shopping Center)

1924, People in Stella and Preston protest Dick & Willie Railroad’s intention to discontinue stops; 1949, Collinsville Furniture Mart; 1960, Workers Garment Factory, and schools’ Bible teacher Lola Kesler retires; 1974, PHCC classes include sign language and Lamaze; 1999, Irisburg School in a positive turnaround; Henry Gilbert passes away. (PHOTO: Newsman Henry Gilbert, who passed away 25 years ago)

1924, Henry County meets quota for Citizens’ Military Training Camp; 1949, funny classified ads; 1960, Burton Connor struck by lightning for the second time; 1974, MHS masonry students save City $25,000; 1999, things not looking good for Tultex. (PHOTO: Fontaine School in the 1960s)

1924, seven arrests for drinking and joy-riding; 1949, Helen Miles was the Spencer-Penn High School valedictorian; 1974, Jimmy Frith jumps bike 25-foot distance; 1999, Scott Grindstaff runs for county treasurer. (PHOTO: Fields and Legget)

1924, Martinsville Garden Club held an elaborate reception for the Virginia Garden Club, and was inducted into the VGC; 1949, news briefs included tonsils removed, a stolen ham and a Morten-Bassett marriage license; 1960, distilleries destroyed; 1974, Mary Ruth Brandt if Woman of the Year and top bassmaster Tomm Mann visits Powell’s Sporting Goods Store; 1999, Nancy Redd wins competitive $20,000 scholarship. (PHOTO: First Presbyterian adds steeple in 1959)

1924, teacher certificate examinations for ages 18+ (segregated); 1949, “best trap I ever saw for concealing whiskey”; 1960, three whiskey distilleries located; 1974, charges in boating deaths, and individualized school lunch menus. (PHOTO: Villa Heights in the 1950s)

1924, Martinsville Garden Club hosts state convention; 1949, Doris Hermes’ big win; 1960, Jimmy Amburn MHS’s first male cheerleader; 1974, 888 seniors graduate. (PHOTO: Looking out from Public Square, 1939. C.P. Kearfott’s at right is now that orange and white building; Kolodny’s presently is NCI (its original location).

1924, local hoboes are lanky; 1949, construction boom; 1960, Camp Powhatan expansion; 1974, Collinsville Jaycees nearing fundraising goal for park in Collinsville. (PHOTO: Fieldale YMCA)

1924, C.W. Holt advertises “Investment in Good Appearance;” 1949, metal porch gliders at Troxler’s; 1960, segregated summer camps, and another GoKart track in the makes; 1974, newly formed Axton-Laurel Park Lions Club sets sights on major park. (PHOTO: Fayette Street parking lot)

1924: People’s Bank ad outlines husband’s duty; 1949, too much rain posed challenges for farmers; 1960, Betty Jo Norton’s government classes at MHS went to City Council meeting; 1974. at the movies (and some titles we can’t repeat) (PHOTO: Floyd’s Cash Store on Cleveland Avenue)

1924, juror goes to Fontaine murder scene to conduct his own interviews; streets by Forest avenue to be taken over by city, and a park made; 1960, Smith Hydro-Electric project begins; 1974, want ads for barmaid and jewelry sales. (PHOTO: 1917, Church Street looking east)

1924, Grammar school starts library with 300 books; 1949, citywide insect fogging is especially heavy in areas that don’t have sewer service; 1960, drive for Martinsville Community Center falls short; 1974, PHCC’s Spring Dance and Miss PHCC contestants. (PHOTO: Broad Street Baptist Church, built in 1888)

1924, judge speaks on race relations; 1949, new fogging machine for citywide spraying of Chloradine; 1960, new school song for Fieldale High; 1974, first teacher of MARC retires; 1999, 2nd Lt. Sherri Sharpe graduates and begins her military career. (PHOTO: Foundry on Bridge Street)

1924, 250 attend lecture at Farmers Warehouse; 1949, Civil Rights Congress steps up; 1960, Albert Harris High School’s Evening of Music; 1974, changes made to controversial plan; 1999, New Jerusalem Apostle Church brings lunch to nurses.

1924, “The Whipping Boss”; 1949, Du Pont wins 10th safety award; 1960, Girl Scouts get roller-skating badges; 1974, movies (including “The Naughtiest Show in Town”) in Martinsville; 1999, Piedmont Community Services building under construction. (PHOTO: Martinsville’s high school)

1924, stranded Studebaker with illicit liquor seized; 1949, attorney out fishing; 1960, Fieldale Kart Club opened; 1974, bicentennial plans; 1999, 63 charged in drug sting. (PHOTO: Courthouse Square)

1924, Walker-Fair Hardware Co. buys out T.N. Barbour hardware; 1949, Martinsville produces surplus of milk; 1960, Bassett Community Center almost finished; 1974, Dyers Store VFD sponsors motocross race; 1999, Rives shows “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” to capacity crowd.v(PHOTO: Stone Mercantile and Prillaman Hotel 1940s)

1924, specials at C.W. Holt; 1949, road from Martinsville to Stuart to be built with prison labor; 1960, MHS presents “Oklahoma!”; 1999, “school safety summits” (PHOTO: Esso station where Dollar General is now)

1924, award offered for missing mule; 1949, electrical storm wreaks havoc; 1960, beauty pageant; 1974, help wanted ads specified age, gender; 1999, playground equipment dedicated to the late Archie Vipperman. (PHOTO: Billy Roger “Cowboy” Penn riding his horse in Bassett)