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 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)
May 20 through the years
1925, Lucy Lester doctor opens office in Brown Building; 1950, Virginia Travel Ass’n members stop in; 1975, Collinsville woman plants Iceland peas; 2000, Susan Preston and Alice Elmore.
(PHOTO: First National Bank of Martinsville)
May 19 through the years
1925, City merchants’ campaign prize is trip for two women to California; 1950, metal porch gliders; 2000, Henry County Administrator Sid Clowder recommends reversion. (PHOTO: G.W. Lester tobacco factory near Dyer’s Store)
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)