April 4
100 Years ago – 1925
The Dan River Motor Company of Martinsville, run by the Dan River Motor Company of Danville, leased the building on Franklin Street formerly used as Old Brown’s Warehouse and then Motley and Bassett’s Furniture store. It would sell Willys-Knights, Overlands, Cryslers and Maxwells.
75 years ago – 1950
At the movies: Family Drive-In Theatre, “Where The North Begins”; Martinsville Drive-In Theatre, “Davy Crockett – Indian Scout”; The Roxy, “Chain Lightning” with Humphrey Bogart; at the Martin Theatre, Abbott and Costello with “It Ain’t Hay”; the Rives, “Woman in Hiding”; National Theatre, “The Big Sombrero” with Gene Autrey; The Rex, “That Forsythe Woman.”
50 years ago – 1975
Winds raging up to 50 miles per hour damaged houses, buildings and utility lines over two days in the area. Many homes across the region had broken windows, damaged roofs and more. A transformer burned out at the Depot Street substation. Power went out along Mulberry Road, and about 1,600 power customers in Ferrum, Bassett, Mayo Creek, Blackberry and Callands were out of power due to trees falling on the lines.
25 years ago - 2000
Martinsville had the second highest unemployment rate in the state: 17.3%, down from 18.4%, the state’s highest rate, in February.
USA Today featured Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan of Martinsville, describing her as rural medicine’s version of the character “Erin Brockovich.” The article, which was about whether or not sexy clothes have a place in the workplace, showed a picture of her wearing a shiny blue miniskirt, a gold top and gold backless heels.
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.